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FIND A JOB - Search
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Here are some quick time-saving job search tips that will help your hunt for a new job go smoothly.
Be Prepared Have a telephone answering machine or voice mail system in place. Be sure your voice mail message and email address are professional.
Be More Than Prepared Always have an up-to-date resume ready to send - even if you are not currently looking for work. You never know when an opportunity that is too good to pass up might come along. Have a supply of good quality resume paper, envelopes and stamps on hand. Have your resume prepared in both, paper copy and plain text format.
Don't Wait If you are laid-off, file for unemployment benefits right away. You may be able to file online or by phone. Waiting could delay your benefits check.
Get Help Utilize free or inexpensive services that provide career counseling and job search assistance such as the Career Center, job search websites, Department of Labor offices or your local public library.
Create Your Own Templates Have email and paper versions of your cover letter ready to edit. That way you can change the content to match the requirements of the job you're applying for, but the contact information and your opening and closing paragraphs won't need to be changed. The same holds true for your resume if you use different versions for different types of jobs.
Use Job Search Engines Search the job search engines. Use the sites that search the major job banks, employer sites and electronic news groups for you.
Jobs by Email Let the jobs come to you. Use job search agents to sign up and receive job listings by email. All the major job sites have search agents and some websites specialize in sending announcements.
Time Savers Strapped for time? Consider using a resume writing service or resume writing software, such as the service found on Monster, to help write or edit your resume. Resume posting services that post your resume to multiple job sites at once can save hours of data entry.
References Ready Have a list of three references including name, job title, company, phone number and email address ready to give to interviewers.
Use Your Network Be cognizant of the fact that many, if not most, job openings aren't advertised. Tap into several networks and tell everyone you know that you are looking for work. Ask if they can help. This tip isn't a time saver, but, it will broaden your online job search resources.
Don't Stop Don't limit your job searching to the top sites like Monster and CareerBuilder. Check the smaller niche sites that focus on a particular geographic location or career field and you will find plenty of job listings. You can also use the Internet Research Guides for a sample lists of job search sites by industry and check out job postings on the alumni website.
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