Job Seeker - Job Search Process - Job Application

What is it that we seek out of a job? Security of employment and financial rewards are important considerations that any job seeker would be looking for. The professional status associated with the job as well as the mental challenges and stimulus it offers are also important factors that many job seekers would look for. Read up some tips on successful job searching. Find out how a job seeker can effectively use his job applicationto best advantage.

Who is a Job seeker?

A job seeker is best described as a potential candidate for a job in his chosen profession- marketing, sales, research or information technology. A job seeker has to be persistent and determined in his efforts. He should not lose hope easily and be willing to make use of all potential job opportunities. He should be astute so as to spot an attractive opportunity. A person seeking employed should be poised and balanced in his approach to any job opportunity. He should be confident of himself and his skills sets.

The job search process

Any job search campaign needs skilled, targeted and a focused approach so as to achieve success. It is essential to understand the job market and identify where you fit in. Ideally, a first-time job seeker must begin an active job search some months prior to graduation. Identifying and assessing your career needs is a primary step in the job searching rigmarole. It begins with an identification of your values, interests, skills, achievements, experience and goals. Self- assessment is a pre-requisite to any successful career planning process. This will give you an insight into your own requirements and help you target your job searching effectively at the right type of employers.

Once you have identified your personal strengths and weaknesses, you need to explore career options that would match them. It is desirable to find a balance between your interests and skills with the available job opportunities. After zeroing in on a career field, you can target potential employers. You can look for organizations that offer jobs and career prospects that suit your skills sets as well as value system.

Job seekers would do well to follow a multi-pronged strategy to secure an excellent opportunity. Following advertised vacancies is the oft-used job searching technique. This process can be carried out on the print and electronic media. Job sites on the Internet are aplenty. It is up to the job seeker to ferret out the vacancies that suit him. Registering with an online job web site would mean that the job seeker’s resume could be sent to a large database of potential employers. It is possible to peruse the job details and other information through the online recruitment web sites. Employment agencies also play a crucial role is helping the prospective employers and employees to find a common meeting ground. A job seeker should be able to spot the right opportunity and pursue it with the right attitude and strategy in mind. The search is not as painful as it appears to be nor is it so tiresome.

An Effective job Application

A job application acts as a link between the employer and the prospective employee. Through this link the prospective employee should make known all that is required of him- his personal profile, academic qualifications, work experience history and skills set to name a few. The components of the application will vary according to the employer's requirements. A covering letter that the candidate includes along with his CV (Curriculum vitae) should be written in a very forthcoming and appreciable manner describe his intentions and purpose, which with he is applying for the job. A covering letter written with a positive attitude can impress a company in spite of a candidate's average qualifications and work experience.

It is essential to take the time and effort in preparing a suitable job application or resume. Once you have identified the career field as well as the type of employers that you are seeking, it becomes easier to create a suitable job application. A good resume or CV is a blend of the right words and phrases that best describe your marketable skills and experience.

Entry-level job seekers would generally opt for a one-page resume that would give a clear picture on their academic qualifications and other skills acquired. A job application should highlight skills and accomplishments that a prospective employer would be looking for. Concise and well-organized information is the hallmark of any good job resume. Optical scanning machines and software programs are being utilized to peruse through large volumes of resumes that employers receive.

A chronological job application lists out the professional history of the job seeker with the most recent job listed first. Such a resume would lay emphasis on duties and accomplishments at various positions held. A functional job resume would lay emphasis on the skills and accomplishments of the job seeker. This could be put to best advantage when you want to focus on your achievements rather than your employment history. This works best for those seeking a career change or those seeking a job on the basis of earlier freelance or consulting work. Of course, it is possible to create a job resume that would combine the best elements of both types of job applications.

Career development is the process of discovering career options, choosing among them, and making and implementing a plan to achieve your goals. This process is not a one-time thing; it will evolve over time as you change, your workplace changes, and the world of work changes. By learning this process now, you can adapt it to your needs throughout your life.

One way to think of career development is as a learning process similar to the rest of your education. The subject is yourself and your career options. Through this process you learn about what you enjoy, what you value, and what you're good at. You also learn what careers, jobs, and employers are a good match for you; the kind of skills, education, and experience they require; and how to present yourself for the opportunities you want.

A job application provides a prospective employer with information about the job seeker. Firstly, it would give a summary about the education and work experience. Secondly, the application would throw light on the personal and other characteristics of the prospective job seeker. It is therefore essential that any job seeker takes some time and fill in the job application with thought and care. List out any volunteer work that you have undertaken

So if you are on the threshold of a new career, here is a guide that you can use to search and land up a career opportunity that could take you far:

• Assess yourself and analyze your job needs and skills.
• Talk to professionals and conduct your own research to find out the kind of opportunities that are available.
• Prioritize and set your goals for your career.
• Prepare a job application or resume that would showcase your skills and accomplishments.
• Continue to develop and hone up on your skills.

Once you have landed yourself a job, the journey has only just begun! The process of learning goes on….