Searching for a job is tough – it’s exhausting, time-consuming and nerve-wracking. You’ve sent out reams of resumes, called countless companies, sent out endless emails, and joined job sites you never knew existed.

How do you know when to follow up, when to send your resume again, when to send a thank-you card??

Easy! Make a job search log!

Take a few extra minutes to set up a simple spreadsheet. It may seem like an annoying chore, but it will relieve a lot of tension and give you a sense of control.

Create fields for Date Sent, Company, Job Title, Contact Info, Resume Version Sent, Date for Follow Up, Passwords/Usernames, etc. Then, just fill in the blanks!

Try to get into the routine of entering your info shortly after you send out a resume or make a call. If it is just too tedious to enter your data every time you take an action, scribble down the pertinent information on a sheet of paper. Make a stack, and then do your data entry in batches.

Making a job search log is guaranteed to help you keep your sanity during this trying process. Try it!

Wrong.

A resume is a work in progress. It is a living and breathing textual representation of your experience and capabilities, both of which are constantly evolving. It’s best to come to terms with the fact that you will always be tweaking and adjusting your resume.

Here are a few reasons why:

• You will need to create different versions of your resume that are tailored to different jobs.
• You should frequently take a look at the language and word choice on your resume, and try to improve upon it. (You might not come up with the perfect job description phrase for tomorrow’s interview. That’s ok. Do your best, and maybe a few days or weeks later the right language will pop into your head).
• Hopefully you will be adding new skills over time.
• You will also be removing older experiences from your resume as you gain new ones. If you have years of professional experience, go ahead and start taking off those old high school part-time jobs.
• You should look for ways to improve the formatting. Don’t get locked into a layout simply because you finally got it to work and you are afraid to adjust it. Learn your software. Experiment.
• Your objectives and career philosophies will most likely evolve and develop over time. You’ll need to adjust your resume to reflect those changes.

The resume is not a one-time or once-a-year chore that you struggle through, cross off a list, and consider finished. Instead, it requires an ongoing process of revision and adjustment. In today’s market, many people change companies frequently, so their resumes need regular attention. This trend doesn’t seem to be changing, so…might as well try to make it fun!

Great! But you’re not quite ready yet. We’ve all been told not to judge a book by its cover. However, the reality is that in the professional world your appearance is closely scrutinized – especially at a job interview. But personal appearance goes beyond just the clothes you are wearing. Follow these tips to be seen in the best possible light by potential employers.

• Men
  • Be as clean-cut as possible, with a recent trim.
  • Shave! If you wear facial hair, keep it well groomed.
  • Go easy on the after-shave.
  • Trim and clean fingernails.
  • Wear a conservative watch.

• Women
  • Aim for a neat, low-key hairstyle.
  • Keep jewelry to a minimum.
  • Apply makeup conservatively.
  • If you bring a handbag, choose one that is small and simple.
  • Avoid brightly colored and/or overly long nails.

• Everyone
  • Facial piercings are not well received in professional environments. Take them out.
  • Go very light on perfumes and colognes, or don’t use them at all.
  • Don’t smell like smoke.
  • Cover up all tattoos if possible.

Your personal appearance is just as important in an interview as your education, training and work experience. Make it a priority and go get that job!

It helps to prepare for your morning the night before. When you’re ready to turn in for the night, it’s easy to tell yourself that you will be able to get everything for your day ready in the morning. It always seems much harder when you wake up. The clock counts down on you without mercy as you scramble to get out the door.

Here are some things you can do the night before a job to make your morning smoother and get you to work on time.

• Make a dressing “station”.
  • Iron your work clothes for the next day and hang them up in one place. Put your shoes under them – ready to throw on. Lay your socks, t-shirts, ties and and/or any other accessories nearby. Now you won’t be making a frenzied search for these items in the early morning while the clock ticks down.

• Make a food “station”.
  • Pack your lunch the night before. You may think you will pack it in the morning – not very likely.
  • Get your coffee travel mug, water bottle etc. staged in one area, ready to go.
  • Put water, coffee and a filter in your coffee machine in the evening. In the morning, simply push the button and enjoy the invigorating aroma of some fresh java. Your caffeine fix is on the way!

• Plan your route.
  • Print out a map of where you are going the night before.
  • For smartphone users, have the address written down somewhere so that you can plug it into your phone’s map program. Don’t rely on just putting it in your phone – it could get deleted.
  • Make a habit of looking at where you are going the night before, and plan out how long it will take you to get from door to door.  Add 15 minutes for delays!

These tips are simple and may seem obvious. But they can help you to avoid being that panic-stricken person sprinting to the Metro in the early morning.

Every employer is looking for hardworking employees that they can count on to be long-term members of their team. If you are trying to prove yourself as a valued employee, remember that there are some basic characteristics you can display to impress your supervisor and increase job security.

1. Have good attendance. Be punctual and show up for every scheduled shift.

2. Dress appropriately for your work environment.

3. Have a positive attitude about your job. Always be polite to co-workers and supervisors.

4. Be prepared for work everyday. Pay attention, take notes and follow instructions carefully.

5. Ask questions if you don’t understand an assignment.

6. Be open to learning new things such as computer programs or the daily duties of a co-worker. Take responsibility when you make mistakes throughout the learning process.

7. Be a team player. Collaborate with co-workers on projects, offer suggestions and be open to advice of others.

8. Take initiative. Go above and beyond your supervisors’ expectations and find work to do before you are asked.

9. Be honest. It is important that your employer feels they can trust you.

10. Learn about the history and mission of your company. Being knowledgeable shows that you care about your company.

Displaying these qualities can change a temporary assignment into a permanent job, qualify you for a promotion, or simply earn you the respect you deserve! It may also increase your own feeling of job satisfaction!

There are many ways to obtain company information. Some ideas may be to check local newspapers and magazines for recent articles or ask friends and family if they have heard anything about the organization. The Internet is an excellent source of information. A company’s web page usually gives a thorough description of the company’s mission, accomplishments and sometimes employee bios. Any information, statistics or current developments concerning the company that you can learn in advance will give you a competitive edge when interviewing.

Be prepared!

• · Nix the pajamas. You will probably perform more professionally if you put yourself together before the call.

• · Respect your current employer. Try to arrange the interview for after work hours or at least during your lunch break.

• · No distractions. Find out in advance how long the call will be and make certain you will be in a private, quiet place for the whole interview.

• · Sharpen your pencils. Take best advantage of your interview by having your resume, cover letter and your best projects to refer to and take notes while you talk.

• · Take it slow. Keep in mind that your interviewer will be taking notes too.

• · Cell phone coverage. As convenient as they are, cell phones tend to break up. There’s nothing more frustrating than a phone conversation that fades in and out or drops. Try to use a land line for phone screens, but if you can’t, be sure you are in a quiet place with good coverage.

The best ways to following up after an interview are listed here from Career Perfect.

• Expect the inevitable questions. Assume they do not remember your resume. This might include the following questions:

Why should we hire you?
Why do you want to work for our company?
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
What happened in your last job?
Do you have any questions for me?

• For every question, have specific examples in your mind that you can use.

Practice doing this with a smile on your face, in front of a mirror.

• Fully describe situations you were in and the outcomes. Use the “STAR” technique.

Situation: Describe your past work/project situation.

Task: What was the specific task you were working on?

Action: What action did you take?

Result:What was the result/outcome of the situation?

• Self-evaluate and have an answer for why they should hire you.

Cite your talent, proven track record and contribution to your past teams or organizations.

• Present yourself well.

Appearance – Show up neat and polished in professional attire. Find out how they dress and use it as your grooming guide.

Knowledge – You must show that you know about the organization, as well as the position you are applying for. Do an online comprehensive search of the company and gather as much information as possible.

• Don’t forget the little things.

Know the location of where you’re going and how to get there, including parking.

Allow plenty of time to arrive. Don’t be late!
Print and bring multiple copies of your resume and references.

Check in with the people you are planning to list as a reference.