The 3 Smartest Things You Can Do to Find a Job

MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether you are looking to start fresh in the New Year, or have been unemployed for any length of time, now is your chance to breathe life into your tired job search. Jobfox, one of the nation's fastest growing online job sites, has a few suggestions for you.

Fine Tune your Resume

First and foremost, your resume must meet the standards of today's hiring processes before applying to jobs online or posting your resume publicly. The current job market demands more than just impeccable grammar and a readable font. Keyword optimization, for example, is crucial to getting your resume the attention it deserves. Keywords can either be found in your target job descriptions, or specifically researched and tailored by professional resume writers. Including these details will assure that your resume comes up in recruiter's searches. Along these same lines, resumes and cover letters should also be specifically targeted to each individual job's requirements. Customization and personal touches distinguish you from the seas of typical resumes, helping you land interviews and get the job you desire.

Additionally, when describing your previous positions, be sure to showcase your accomplishments. Recruiters are not interested in reading through a catalog of tasks and duties—they want to know what you have achieved. Sell yourself through your resume by highlighting milestones and accomplishments that correlate directly with a potential employer's objectives. "You could be the best performer at your job, but without documenting your measurable achievements, awards, or relevant new experiences on the job, you can't provide proof when asked. As the years go by, the likelihood of remembering details of every accomplishment will more difficult. In 2012, jot down what you've achieved at your job – it will serve a useful purpose in optimizing your resume, and in the end, your chances of landing the job of your dreams," suggests Alex Soto, CEO of ResumeLance and Soto Marketing Communications.

Take Advantage of Social Media

Job seekers should maintain an active, relevant presence in all social media platforms. LinkedIn and Facebook profiles need to be updated, professional and personalized, and you should make as many connections as possible. Merge these contacts on sites like Jobfox.com and Indeed.com in order to receive notifications about possible connections within the companies you'd like to work. If you do not know these potential contacts directly, ask someone you do know to recommend you or to make a direct introduction. Don't be shy—applicants with referrals such as these are at least 5 times as likely to get an interview.

"Here is the real one/two punch: Target your resume to the job you want and get that resume into the hands of the hiring manager through a reference.  Your chances of landing that job just skyrocketed past your competition," says Peggy Padalino, VP of Sales and Client Services at Jobfox.

Network

Follow through with all leads, both online and in person, no matter how small. Research shows that lengthy periods of unemployment are directly linked to passive approaches to job searching. Regardless of how well-crafted your resume or impressive your career, an expansive network is essential to bolstering your search for the perfect job. Reach out to colleagues and friends, and proactively foster second and third degree connections. Moreover, networking is about establishing a rapport; it is extremely important that traditional courtesies and etiquette not be overlooked, even in the era of the social media. Experts recommend sending a thank you letter following an interview. Not only will it set you apart from other applicants for the job in question, but this simple act of decorum will also help establish a lasting connection within the company.

About Jobfox

Founded in 2005 in McLean, Virginia, Jobfox is a leading job search and career-networking site designed to find candidates the right jobs at the best companies. Through a comprehensive skills-based matching system, Jobfox connects thousands of employers to the most qualified individuals, as well as linking job seekers to relevant job opportunities in their fields. With over 1 Million resumes improved, Jobfox is also the largest provider of professionally written resumes online.  For more information, visit www.jobfox.com

SOURCE Jobfox