Ten Steps to Find a New Job

Before you start looking for jobs research career, job, and employment options in a variety of industries and locations. That way, you can search specifically for the types of jobs that interest you and save job search time.

Use the job search engines to find jobs by using keywords that match your interests and the location where you want to work. Narrowing your search criteria will help you focus your job search and will give you more relevant job listings to review and less non-relevant job listings to weed through.

Create profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, VisualCV, and JobFox. A strong personal brand that portrays you in a professional light will provide recruiters, employers, and contacts with a strong positive impression of you as a candidate they should be interested in.

Now that you've created profiles on networking sites, use them. Connect with everyone you know, because you never know which contact may be able to help you with your job search or put you in touch with someone who can.

Check job search engine sites, job banks, company web sites, networking sites, niche job sites, and sites listed by type of job.

Find companies in your industry and find out more about companies that you might be interested in. Use company web sites, Google, networking sites, blogs, discussion forums and other online resources to find company information.

It's important to take the time to write targeted resumes and cover letters that specifically link your qualifications to the hiring criteria for the jobs you are applying for. The hiring manager will be able to see, at a glance, why, and how, you are qualified for the job. You'll have a much better chance of getting an interview than if you send a generic letter and resume.

Research the company before you go for the interview, dress appropriately, practice answering and asking interview questions, and make a concerted effort to impress the interviewer with your skills, experience, confidence, and expertise.

It's important to follow up after an interview by thanking everyone you met with. Also reiterate your interest in the position and remind the hiring manager why you're an excellent candidate for the job.

When you receive a job offer, it's important to take the time to carefully evaluate the offer so you are making an educated decision to accept, or to reject, the offer. You don't have to accept a job just because it was offered to you, but do carefully evalute it and if you decline, do so politely.