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Advice for the job seeker
Jan 27, 2014
“If I had nine hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first six sharpening my ax.” – Abraham Lincoln
In the daily life of a HireLevel office, we see many job seekers come through our doors in search of opportunities with our clients. I am amazed when I see a job seeker waiting outside a Recruiter’s office slouched in the chair, clothes disheveled, and a frown on their face. I know job seeking is mentally exhausting, but the best advice I can give job seekers is to “sharpen your ax”.
Preparation, both mentally and physically, are key elements in the job search process. If you are searching for your next opportunity, take these small steps to sharpen your ax:
1. Arrive to your scheduled interview 10 minutes early. Walk into the office with a smile on your face and your head held high. Greet both the receptionist and Recruiter with a warm “Good Day”. You will be amazed how this small gesture will set the tone for your interview.
2. Make sure your clothes are clean, pressed and appropriate for a job interview. If you look good, you will feel good and confidence will show through.
3. Bring a copy of your resume and references with you to the interview. Even if you applied on-line, submitted the information and downloaded your resume, bring a hardcopy with you. Proof your resume for spelling and grammatical errors. Update reference contact information. Update current employers and include any volunteer activities you may have performed. Your resume should be a working document and reviewed every six months.
4. Practice interview skills at home in front of your mirror. Ask yourself questions that you would ask someone if you were in the Recruiter’s seat. Better yet, have a friend or family member ask you questions. The more you practice answering questions on the spot, the less nervous you will be when you are in front of the Recruiter. Again, confidence will show.
Spend time sharpening your ax. The extra time you put into the process will pay off in the long run!
Visit our job board to see our most up to date opportunities. Stay current with other Tips & Advice from previous blog posts.
