101 Tips to Jumpstart Your Job Search in 2010

Published on Wednesday January 13th , 2010

If you were struggling in 2009 to find a job, you can make 2010 your year with a fresh perspective and a little determination. Fresh college grads and experienced workers alike can use this collection of tips to get the ball rolling or change directions when it comes to finding employment, hopefully with greater success in the new year.

General

These general tips will guide the essentials of your job search.

1. Ask for help. Finding a job doesn't have to be a lonely endeavor. If you're having a rough go of it, ask friends and family for help or join an online support group for job hunting.
2. Don't procrastinate. Putting off looking for a job isn't going to help anything and can even raise your stress levels. Whatever you need to get done, just tackle it little by little each day.
3. Be prepared. You never know when a job opportunity will arise, so be ready with business cards, resumes and references.
4. Figure out where you really want to be. Don't waste your time searching for a job when you don't know what you want to do. Figure out your goals and desires you have before setting out. You'll save time, effort and ultimately be more successful.
5. Set attainable goals for yourself. If you expect to have a job within a week, you may be setting yourself up for failure. Make goals that are realistic and that you can actually hope to achieve.
6. Make job searching your job. Avoid letting yourself fall out of the regular routine you have by treating your job hunt as a job. Get up at a set time, work for a set number of hours and have work set for yourself each day of the week.
7. Have a routine. Similarly, within your work at finding work, create a schedule that sets aside time for applying, calling, searching and other elements that make up your daily hunt.
8. Decide what compromises you're willing to make. Sometimes finding work means making compromises. Decide whether you're willing to move, give up benefits, accept lower pay or something else. Once you know this you'll be able to limit what you're applying for.
9. Consider your career options. Depending on your experience, you may have more than one career option available to you. It could open up your search and help you find a new, fulfilling way to make your living.
10. Know how much you're worth. Even if you're willing to take a pay cut in order to find work, you need to know just how much you're really worth. Use an online tool to get a good idea of the kind of salary you're worth.
11. Take care of yourself. You won't be doing your job hunt or yourself any favors by stressing out and getting sick. Care for yourself as you're searching for a job so you can stay healthy and ready to head back to work when you find it.

Organization

These tips will show you how staying organized can aid in finding work.

12. Have a schedule. Plan out when and what you want to do each day or week. That way you'll be able to keep on track and make sure you're getting the necessary things done.
13. Keep important documents where you can find them. You don't want to have to hunt around for references, resumes or other important documents when you need them. Keep them where you can find them without having to search.
14. Set up a job search workspace. One way to stay organized is to set up a space that you use everyday when you're searching for work.
15. Keep records of who you've contacted. To avoid applying for the same jobs or to the same people again, keep records of where and when you've applied.
16. Keep references on hand. Contact former employers and ask them ahead of time if they'd be references, then keep these names and numbers on hand so you can easily give them to potential employers.
17. Ensure you have reliable phone and Internet services. There is nothing worse than missing out on job opportunities because of buggy technology. Make sure you're easy to reach should an employer want to contact you.
18. Do research and save it for later. You don't have to use all the information you collect right then and there. Collect information and articles on your field and look through it later when you have time to focus.
19. Set up job search bookmarks. If you use the same websites all the time, set up a series of bookmarks that will make it simple to check each site daily.
20. Keep a stock of resumes. Keeping resumes handy ensures you won't have to run get copies printed should you need them.
21. Respond quickly to emails and calls. Keep on top of employer inquiries. You never know when responding quickly could help you get the job over someone else.

The Search

Streamline and refine your job search efforts with these tips.

22. Work with a recruiter. If you haven't been doing very well on your own, why not get someone in the know to help you? Depending on your field, it could get you access to jobs you might not have found on your own.
23. Contact businesses directly. Those who have businesses in mind that they'd like to work with may be able to contact them directly and see if there are or will be any job openings.
24. Consider other locations. Moving may be a good option if there isn't much to be had where you are. Some companies will pay for your move or, if nothing else, you may be able to take it as a tax deduction.
25. Widen or narrow your search. Your search may be flagging because you're searching through too many types of jobs or not enough. Fine tune your search for better results.
26. Keep an open mind. A job may not seem like a great opportunity at first, but keep an open mind and you may find opportunities you may have otherwise ignored.
27. Try a new route. If you're not finding what you need in what you're currently doing, try something else. This could mean networking with different people, finding new job sites, or searching for different kinds of works.
28. Take a break if you're getting bogged down. If you feel like your job search is causing you serious stress, don't feel guilty about taking a few days off to rest. Sometimes you just need to get away and focus on family, friends and the parts of your life that make you happy.
29. Don't be tempted by offers that seem too good to be true. There are a lot of scam artists out there. Beware of job offers that don't seem legit, and make sure you research any company before you send them personal information.
30. Avoid wasting time. If you know you're not interested in a job, don't spend time applying, interviewing or pursuing it. There is no point in dedicating yourself to something you'll ultimately give up.
31. Try to pinpoint why you haven't found work yet. If you've been job hunting for some time, sit down and try to figure out why that is. Are you doing something wrong? Do you need to search for another type of work? Figuring out what is holding you back is key to moving forward.

Resume

Try out these tips to give your resume a little extra something to get you hired.

32. Create templates. Creating a template will make it simple to customize your resumes to any kind of employer you're applying with.
33. Overhaul your resume. If it's been awhile since you've really given your resume a clean sweep, the new year may be the best time to just start fresh.
34. Find help if you need it. Don't know how to tackle your resume? Find a resume service that can help you trim, proofread and redesign your resume for success. The investment may be well worth it in the long run.
35. Tailor every resume to the job. You don't have to send out a completely different resume to every employer, but do keep in mind that different types of businesses are looking for different things and tailor your approach accordingly.
36. Jazz it up. If you're in a field where it's appropriate, consider adding color or other design elements that can help your resume to stand out from the stacks of others.
37. Consider video resumes. While they won't work for every position, do a little research to see if a video resume could help you in your job search. You'll be able to find a wealth of places to host it online for free.
38. Ensure your resume highlights your best attributes. Don't let some of your best skills and accomplishments get lost in your resume. Highlight these and ensure they stand out.
39. Keep it short and sweet. If your resume is longer than a couple of pages, it's too long. Keep it short and simple or employers may not even bother to look at it at all.
40. Get it out there. The more places that have your resume, the more chances you have of getting an interview, so get your resume out there into the job market.
41. Make sure your resume represents you. Make sure employers are getting the real you when it comes to your resume. If you're creative or detail oriented, make sure those qualities come across in your resume.

Interviews

If your interviews so far haven't done much for you, consider these tips to start off on better footing.

42. Dress the part. It may seem elementary, but dressing nicely for interviews is essential. If you don't have the right stuff, consider buying some inexpensive items or borrowing them from a friend.
43. Arrive early. There are few things that look worse than arriving late for an interview. Arrive a few minutes early so you'll have time to use the restroom and settle in before the interview.
44. Do your research. It doesn't hurt to know a little about the company you're interviewing with beforehand. If you can find out about your interviewer as well, all the better.
45. Always, always follow up. Don't just go to an interview and leave it at that. Instead, follow up with the company after a few days to see where you are in the process.
46. Remember names. Some people struggle with it, but it can go a long way to remember the names of the people you may be working with. If you don't get the job, you can promptly forget them.
47. Get to know access points. Being friendly with secretaries and other people who set up interviews and handle resumes can help you get your foot in the door.
48. Remember that a smile, charisma and confidence go a long way. You don't want to just look good on paper but in person as well. Make sure you're reflecting your abilities in your interview by putting on a smile and having confidence in your abilities.
49. Sell yourself. Not literally, of course, but part of successful job hunting is being able to sell the skills and benefits you can offer a company. If you need to, consider learning some basic sales techniques.
50. Don't sell yourself short. Unless you, in fact, really, really need a job don't take work that is beneath you or that you'll hate just because it's being offered to you. You might have money but you won't be happy.
51. Look at your past interviews. If you've had some interviews already that haven't panned out, look back at these and try to figure out if there are ways you can improve. If you feel comfortable doing so, you may even want to ask interviewers what qualities you are lacking.
52. Know what to expect. Don't go into an interview blind. Know what kind of questions you'll be asked, what kind of company it is and what the job will require.
53. Update yourself. If you've been wearing the same clothes and haircuts for the past 15 years, consider updating yourself so you look professional and up-to-date.

Technology

Here you'll find some ideas on how to use technology to pump up your job hunt.

54. Look professional. If you have online blogs or websites, make sure they're free from flashing graphics or inappropriate content. If you want to publish this kind of content, consider using an alias.
55. Start your own blog. Having your own professional blog can give you something to do and let you show off what you know about the field.
56. Search smart. Use online tools to help you narrow down and refine your searches. If you're lucky, there might even be a search engine dedicated to your field specifically.
57. Don't limit yourself to big sites. Big sites do have more jobs, but they don't have all of them. Use smaller sites as well to find out about other jobs that could suit your interests.
58. Use online networking wisely. Sites like LinkedIn can help you get in touch with people in your field that may be able to help you find work and bolster your connections.
59. Keep track of your online reputation. Make sure to research and control your appearance online. You don't want employers to find any embarrassing pictures or posts you've made online if they Google you.
60. Have your own site. Having your own website isn't as hard as it sounds. Hosting can be free or cheap and you can find all kinds of helpful templates online.
61. Set up alerts. Use alerts to let you know when new jobs are posted or when content about your area of interest is released. That way you'll stay in the loop with little effort.
62. Use job-focused RSS feeds. Using RSS feeds to track jobs can make it simple to track several sites at once and will save you loads of time.
63. Connect with other job hunters. There are numerous places on the web where you can talk with and get help from others out there who are searching for work.
64. Try out Twitter. Twitter can be a great place to promote yourself or to get advice from job experts.

Networking

Check out these ideas on how to use old fashioned networking to find you employment.

65. Not all job openings are advertised--ask around. Sometimes knowing the right people can help you get a job, simply because those jobs may not be released to the general public. Try asking, you might be surprised.
66. Reach out to friends and family. You never know who you know that might be able to hook you up with work. Let everyone close to you know what you need to see if they can help.
67. Foster former connections. Former employers can sometimes be an avenue to future employment. If nothing else, maintaining these connections will make it easy to get great recommendations.
68. Make time to get together. Help yourself maintain business relationships by making time to go to lunch, coffee or just to talk.
69. Attend job fairs. While you may not find a job at one of these, you can meet new people, find out where to look next and make valuable connections.
70. Join online groups. Whether you join groups of job hunters or those of fellow professionals, the online world makes it simple to make connections with other business people.
71. Take the initiative. Connections aren't just going to come to you. You have to be responsible to go out there can get them yourself.
72. Make lasting connections. Don't just make connections for the sake of finding one job. Keep these relationships going so they can help you in the future should you need them.
73. Find common ground. You'll have much more success in networking by simply knowing how to talk to people and find common ground with them. Spend time figuring out how to get this information quickly and successfully.
74. Use opportunities as they present themselves. Whether you meet someone at a wedding or even doing your laundry, these chance encounters can provide great opportunities for finding work and making connections.

Attitude

It's important to keep your chin up and maintain a positive attitude when looking for work, as these tips illustrate.

75. Don't let stress take over your life. Looking for a job is stressful for a variety of reasons. Remember that you job isn't your life, and make time to relax and enjoy yourself as well.
76. Remember what really matters. Family, friends, and those you care about are what really matter, so draw strength from and spend time with these people while you're job hunting.
77. Look on the bright side. Not having a job might mean not having as much money, but it might have a silver lining like affording you more time to spend with family, letting you work on a project you've always put on the back burner or just reviving your interest in things you haven't had time to do in ages.
78. Keep your head up. Don't let the job search beat you down. Keep your head up and avoid letting your situation get to you.
79. Avoid letting your frustration show. Employers are less likely to hire you if they feel like you're desperate or have an attitude about the job hunting process. Save those feelings for when you're alone or at home, and put on a professional face in the office.
80. Make use of your support system. What are family and friends there for but to hold you up when you're down and out? Make use of the help and support these people can give you while you're searching for a job.
81. Have a personal mantra. It might seems cheesy, but if you start everyday telling yourself you will be successful or that it will be a good day, eventually it might just turn out that way.
82. Foster your ego. You may be out of a job but that doesn't mean companies shouldn't want you. Spend time thinking about all the great things you have to offer prospective employers.
83. Remember that failure doesn't mean you lack worth. Just because an employer didn't select you for a position doesn't mean you aren't worthy of it. There are loads of people out there looking for work and even a small advantage in experience, education and charisma could mean the difference between getting a job and not getting the job.
84. Try, try again. Job hunting can be an arduous process that requires loads of determination, and above all, persistence. Be willing to keep going back again and again until you find success.

Career Change

Those in the process of changing careers will appreciate these tips.

85. Determine what you need to do to make change happen. Whether you need to go back to school or gain experience as an intern, find out what is necessary to make your career change go as smoothly as possible.
86. Set up a plan. Once you know what you have to do, set out a plan to do it. That way you'll know how long it will take before you can start finding the work you need and want.
87. Start gaining experience. Even if you're not ready to make a full-fledged job change, there is no reason why you can't start earning experience. Volunteer, get part time jobs, or intern in areas of interest.
88. Try before you buy. In order to make sure you're making the right kind of career change, try shadowing someone else or getting a mentor to show you the ropes beforehand.
89. Think about the financial consequences. Changing careers can have a big financial impact, and not always for the better. Make sure you have the savings to weather these financial bumps or the determination to overcome them before moving to make a change.
90. Go with your gut. Sometimes you just know what you have to do and how you have to do it. If your gut is telling you you need to enter a particular field, you won't be happy until you at least give it a try.
91. Remember that starting over sometimes means starting lower. Because you will be starting out in a new profession, you may not be able to get a job that pays the same or with the same professional level. Make sure you're ok with working your way up again.
92. Have a goal. Launching a successful career change means also having a goal in mind. Know where you want to end up and you'll be able to better find the best route to get there.
93. Evaluate what you don't like about your field now. If you're feeling dissatisfied with your current field, figure out why that is. It may be that moving to a different specialty or even just working with a different company would make you happy, and it's a whole lot easier than switching careers altogether.
94. Look before you leap. Make sure you know what you're getting into before you make a career change. There can be a lot of great benefits but there can also be a lot of potential consequences, so do your research and know the road that lies ahead.

Miscellaneous

These tips offer advice on everything from managing a lack of experience to helping your best assets stand out.

95. Make age just a number. If you're an older or younger job hunter, you can face special challenges when it comes to finding work. Show employers what you have to offer at any age.
96. Show that old dogs can learn new tricks. Those who are older and trying to find work may want to make an effort to take classes or study up on topics that employers may be worried they would lack skills in--especially related to technology.
97. Make up for lack of experience with loads of enthusiasm. You may not be the most qualified candidate for a job, but you can give yourself a leg up on the competition with a smile on your face and a great attitude.
98. Try something completely new. If what you've been doing so far hasn't been working, why not try something totally different? It doesn't have to be radical, but it does need to take you in another direction from where you've been going.
99. Take all the advice you can get. You certainly don't have to use it all, but more ideas means more avenues to pursue when searching for a job.
100. Use local and federal resources. There are courses, groups and websites aplenty out there that are meant to help you not only find work but even start your own business.
101. Find a way to stand out. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but with so many out there searching for work, it doesn't hurt to do something to make yourself stand out as something special and different from the others.

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