Tips for getting a job

Ask yourself these questions:

• From my research, what suggests I am compatible with what this employer wants?
• What problems can I be confident of solving for this employer?
• What am I really good at - what can I do well without even trying?
• What do people consistently praise about my work?
• What are my main achievements - the ones I am really proud of?
• What's unusual about me - for instance some special skill, experience or character?
• How could all of this benefit my future employer?

An important point here is to remember to distinguish features from benefits when you are setting out your USP. A feature is a straight factual statement, whereas a benefit shows how and why it will be a good thing for the other person to "buy." For example, it may be a feature of your career that you have a particular qualification. A benefit of the qualification may be that you have in-depth expertise in an area in which the employer is active - you could use your specialist knowledge to improve the company's performance in that field.

Does this person have potential?

Employers will judge your potential on leadership activities, skills you possess, your portfolio of work samples (this is a Web portfolio from UT-Austin), evidence of previous work experience, references who call them to recommend you and your grade-point average.

Is this person motivated to work for our organization?

Employers will judge this from experiences you have acquired through jobs or internships, your persistence and any "practical" cluster of courses related to the job such as enriched speech courses for a broadcast applicant or additional writing courses for a print applicant. More often today, prospective employees will have a variety of skills obtained through courses such as Desktop Publishing or Worldwide Web experience.

Is this person a good reliable worker?

They judge this from your work record in all previous jobs, even if unrelated. Your task is to make a case for yourself based upon what you have to offer. In effect, you are saying, "I want this job, and I know that I can do it, and here's why."

Volunteer to get experience and then keep a record of your work in non-profit organizations, campus organizations, church or civic groups, etc. Sometimes a person can work side by side with outstanding professionals in the field he/she wants to enter.

The job market is like any other market; the competition is tough. Organization is the key to making your job search effective. You have already done much of the ground work in the previous brochure when you identified your past experiences, your skills and your job possibilities. Now it is the time to put this information together in a resume to start planning your job search by looking at the job market.

Long-term and short-term goals are important. Avoid the "I want to be an anchor" approach. Instead, look at how one becomes an anchor, step by step.

These samples should be only your best work. Cull anything that isn't tops. Update with new stuff. These may be stories, photos, design projects or other class work.

Look at outstanding examples. Be careful and accurate. Here are some examples. Seek recommendations from people who like you.

Job interviewers have horror stories to tell about applicants who show up in shorts and a halter top.

Don't overstate your case. This will catch up with you in the long run.

Questions about benefits , advancement and the like are acceptable. Don't show your ignorance by asking: "Will I have to work at night and on weekends?" The answer for a new hire is usually obvious.

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Preparing for the interview

1. Find out about the job you are seeking.
2. Know something about the city in which the job is located.
3. Dress appropriately for the job you seek.

Appropriate Attire Is a Must

The clothing you wear to your interview should make you look like you will fit in at your prospective employer. When in doubt, err on the side of conservatism, suggest the experts. Even if the company has a "business casual" dress policy, you're better off dressing a bit on the stuffy side than in taking a gamble only to find that your idea of casual doesn't match that of your prospective employer.

For Men

Traditional business attire means a dark, conservative suit and a white, long-sleeved (even in summer), pressed dress shirt.

Ties should be silk and coordinate well with the suit. Avoid flashy patterns on ties-the job interview isn't the time to prove how much of an individualist you are.

If you wear an earring (or several), remove it before the interview.

For Women

Traditional business attire is a conservative suit or dress-those thigh-high skirt lengths alð Melrose Place won't cut it in the real business world.

Avoid wearing jewelry and makeup that are showy or distracting.

Forget the excessively long fingernails-they, too, are distracting. If you wear nail polish, make sure it's a subtle color and neatly done.

For Everyone

Avoid wearing too much cologne or perfume.

Your hair should be clean and well-groomed.

Shoes should be polished and coordinate with your suit or dress.

An interview isn't a beauty contest, but how you dress and your overall appearance almost always get noticed by the interviewer. Don't give the interviewer a chance to rule you out because you didn't feel like ironing your shirt or polishing your shoes. Dress in a business-like, professional manner, and you'll be sure to fit in wherever you interview.

4. Be punctual, be clean and businesslike, smile, look the interviewer in the eyes and act interested.
5. When you exit, leave a business card or some reminder that you have been there, and ask when the job will be filled.
6. Send a thank you note.
7. Call back if you don't hear soon.

1. State your objective. Some would suggest that you tailor your objective to the specific job. If you have your r*sum* on a disc, you can change the objective for each job application.
2. State your education. Include special skills courses which may help get a specific job.
3. State your experience. Keep in mind that working in a restaurant or similar job is not always bad. You may develop people skills.
4.List honors and activities.
5. Personal information such as hobbies.
6. References - usually you would say "available on request" because including them would make the document too long.
7. A rÈsumÈ should be about one page, free of errors and printed on quality paper.

1. Neatness in your work counts.
2. Make friends at work, but keep other friends. Avoid office cliques.
3. Think big - always look at the big picture.
4. Avoid making the same mistakes.
5. Keep current - read, watch and listen.
6. Join professional groups and attend meetings Ð network.
7. Be a self-starter - a pioneer if you please.
8. Know the ropes - who is responsible to whom?
9. Plan your days, even if you get distracted. Keep calendars.
10. Don't burn your bridges.

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