Finding  a Job

Successful job hunting refers not only to finding a job, but also to finding the best job possible and having a successful interview. When employment is plentiful this may not present a problem; but when jobs are scarce, you may have to think creatively and investigate many sources. Listed below are suggested resources:

• Relatives, friends, and neighbors
• Counselors and teachers
• College/Career Resource Centers
• Help wanted ads and bulletin boards
• Virginia Employment Commission
• Civil service, county, state, and federal agencies
• Private employment agencies
• Walk-in inquiries
• Job fairs
• Trade journals and directories (available in the library)
• Fellow employees
• Contacts made through volunteer activities
• Online job bulletin boards

How to Compete Successfully

• Develop a list of businesses that usually hire people with your skills and ask for an interview.
• Do not wait for businesses to advertise. Be assertive.
• Do not underestimate smaller businesses. Most of the workforce is employed by small companies.
• Find out what new businesses are opening in your area and when they will begin hiring.
• Target jobs in rapidly expanding fields.
• Develop a resume

A resume is a brief description of your previous education, work experience, and additional relevant information. The purpose of a resume is:

• To introduce you to an employer
• To serve as an example of how you think and express yourself
• To catalog skills, experience, training and achievements
• To pursue an interview
• Prepare for the interview