Searching For a Job? The Importance of Being Professional

Searching For a Job? The Importance of Being Professional

You're looking for a job. You may be scouring the internet, trade papers and magazines, local papers, job fairs and more. Maybe you are building an online presence to aid your search. Whatever else you are doing to search for a job remember to always present yourself as a professional.

1. Your CV (Resume).
Make sure that this is clear, accurate and well presented. It should be typed or printed. Grammar should be excellent and there can be absolutely no spelling mistakes. The wording must give an impression of you as a professional. The same is true of your cover letter.

2. Be contactable.
Make sure that you give prospective employers a way to contact you that they can be sure to get you on with a minimum of fuss. Employers won't spend a lot of time trying to get hold of you if there are plenty of other candidates they can get hold of. Make sure that your contact details are also professional. A funny email address may be fine for your social life but doesn't give the right message to an employer so get a professional sounding e mail address (there are plenty of free providers to choose from). Also take care with any voice mail or answering machine greetings you may have.

3. Your online presence.
Be aware that employers also have access to social networking sites and may decide to check you out on Facebook and other sites. Are you sure that what you have posted on these sites, or on any other forums, is showing you in a positive light to any prospective employer? Just as your potential employer may have researched you on the net so should you research them in order to prepare for the interview.

4. Be professional at the interview.
Turn up at the right place in plenty of time. Look the part. Have your questions and any other materials with you. Take a copy of your CV along with you and be prepared to answer any questions about it or to talk through it. Be nice to everyone you meet.

5. After the interview.
Don't forget to thank the interviewer for their time. Don't pester them for a response but be prepared to follow up politely if you haven't heard anything after the time they have told you that you should have. If you don't get the job then ask them if they would be prepared to give you feedback as this can only help you at the next interview.