BLOGStreet, from JobStreet.com

Snippets: Finding a Mentor

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com.

How would you like to have a mentor who can guide you in your jobseeking quest? It’s not as hard as it seems to find a mentor who can provide you with pointers on how to optimize your jobseeking. The easiest way is to ask one of your more experienced business contacts for advice, and if he or she can give you a proper response, you’ve got yourself a prospective mentor! All you have to do is to develop the relationship further by contacting him or her as frequently as possible. Remember, always be brief and polite during each encounter, and be sure to codify the relationship by eventually telling this person that you would like him or her to be your mentor.

Snippets: Supporting Your Claims

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com.

In the course of writing your resume, you might want to put forth some claims that might help you in the interview process, and in getting the job. However, be careful not to make claims based purely on your personal opinion, with no concrete supporting evidence. For instance, if you want to have the line “I have advanced communication skills” as a claim in your resume, do back it up with some solid proof that you really do possess such skills. A better way of putting it would be “I have advanced communication skills, as proven by my contribution to the following projects”, and follow that sentence up with plausible examples to demonstrate your ability clearly and precisely.

Snippets: Using Online and Offline Approaches

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com.

To be a successful jobseeker, it’s always advisable to adopt both online and offline approaches. Seek out what are known as “published” opportunities by going online and visiting renowned job recruitment sites, as the Internet has proven to be a much faster and cheaper alternative to classified ads in the newspapers. An obvious offline approach would be to do some networking with known associates like former employers and colleagues, friends, relatives, and any other professionals that might spring to mind. Successful networking does require that you have as many contacts as possible, in order to ensure that you are made known to as many people as possible. Using both online and offline approaches will maximise your chances of finding that dream job.

Snippets: Job Interest Shouldn’t Be Your Main Priority

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com.

Due to current decreased job opportunities, especially entry-level positions, jobseekers should reconsider giving priority to their personal interests, when it comes to choosing a job. Of course, personal interest is important in determining what your eventual occupational direction will be, but if you’re striking out for the first time, it should be kept as your last priority, since entry-level jobseekers have no work experience. It’s always better to match your skills to your job, rather than matching your interest to the job.  If you have a few job opportunities at hand, then personal interest can be one of your options in helping you make your final choice. Otherwise, try not to place your personal interest as your main criterion for finding a job.