Tips from Employment Resource Center

10 Things Smart Job Seekers Do
By Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder


1. They realize a potential job lead could be anywhere.

Smart job seekers aren't afraid to mention occupational aspirations to
their book club, their parents' friends or their dentist. One never
knows whose golf partner might be the ticket to getting a foot in the
door. Caroline Ceniza-Levine, a partner at SixFigureStart -- a career
coaching firm in New York City composed of former Fortune 500
recruiters -- recommends putting your LinkedIn public profile
hyperlink in your automatic e-mail signature. "This is an elegant way
to attach your résumé to every correspondence you send. Even friends
who think they know you may click through to your profile, learn more
about you and perhaps think of you for a job or lead that they might
have overlooked."

Bing: Get tips on using resume keywords

2. They surf job boards for more than just open positions.

Ceniza-Levine calls job boards "goldmines" for research. "You might
see companies you didn't know before -- add these to your list of
targets. You might see the same requirements again and again -- this
indicates a standard for the job you want, so incorporate these items
into your pitch and cover letters."

3. They put adequate time and effort into their applications.

"Spend time to make your résumé the best possible written
advertisement of you," says Lisa Quast, author of "Your Career, Your
Way!" and founder of Career Woman Inc., a Seattle-based career
development consulting company. "Analyze the job requirements against
your own skills and abilities, and customize your cover letter."

Obviously, all correspondence should be free of errors and typos. And
before sending off the application packet, look at the job posting one
last time to ensure all desired material is included.

4. They do their homework.

Smart applicants know something about potential employers. From
Googling a company to checking out its financial statements, they
learn what they can -- and use the info to enhance their
correspondence.

5. They know employers do their homework, too.

"According to [a 2010] Coremetrics [study], 75 percent of companies
require recruiters to research job applicants online, so you'll want
to be sure you know what they'll find," says Sherrie Madia, co-author
of "The Online Job Search Survival Guide." Besides thinking twice
about what you choose to post, she suggests doing a Google search on
your name. If you find something undesirable, try to have it removed.

6. They make their value known quickly.

"An employer gives each résumé about a three-second window of time
before he decides to either 'delete' or read further," says Patrice
Rice, author of "How to Interview" and president of the recruiting
firm Patrice & Associates in Dunkirk, Md. A smart applicant answers
the question, "What can you do for me?" right off the bat with a
summary of strongest accomplishments at the top of the résumé.

7. They look and act like a professional.

Simple but effective: A smart applicant arrives on time, dresses
appropriately, both talks and listens, displays confidence and minds
his manners.

8. They show that they want this job.

Smart job seekers are not "tire kickers." They focus on the needs of
the employer and demonstrate how they are perfect for this particular
position.

"Show enthusiasm during the job interview," Rice says. "Always make
certain that the company you're interviewing with feels as if it is
your first choice, no matter what other companies are involved in your
job search."

9. They don't get ahead of themselves.

As much as she may be dying to know about promotions, raises and
vacation time, a smart candidate doesn't jump the gun and tackle these
issues during the first interview. She focuses on landing the
position, then on whether the package is suitable.

10. They ask for the position, follow up and offer thanks.

"As strange as it sounds, you need to ask for the job," says Catherine
Jewell, author of "New Résumé New Career: Get the Job You Want with
the Skills and Experience You Already Have." "At the end of the
interview, sum up your strengths, tell the interviewer that you are
excited about the position and say, 'I would really like to contribute
to this company. I am hoping you select me.'"

Then, a smart interviewee keeps his name in the game with a follow-up
note reiterating interest and offering thanks -- knowing that a great
last impression can seal the deal.

Bing: What to do after the job interview

Beth Braccio Hering researches and writes about job search strategy,
career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for
CareerBuilder.com. Follow @CBForJobSeekers on Twitter.


--
Brother Bill A. Smathers
Surprise Stake Employment Specialist