This article is sponsored by Localmart Jobs

Sometimes you have a quick question and just need an answer to that, in which case our employment articles are handy. But what if you are in a Wikipedia mode, i.e. you want answers to a lot of career and interview questions? Well, (unsurprisingly) this article will answer and guide you through some of the most basic and frequently asked questions about careers.

I am not going to dwell on the stats or beat around the bush; 5 questions, 5 answers. And a whole load of job search secrets to unravel.

Q1) How do I find a job?

Finding a job starts with applying for a job. Start applying for a job as soon as you finish this article. Visit some of the job sites you know of or Google “job boards in ‘your city'”. Lots of companies advertise their jobs on job boards. It can be as easy as sending a CV or filling in a job application form.

Q2) I don’t have a resume, can you help me write one?

I won’t say I can literally sit down and write your resume for you, but I can certainly help. For a start, you can download free resume template and use it to get started. I USE that template even now and constantly update it. So you know you are using a template that a real person uses. Download the template and start filling in the information. Once you have done that you can read about my resume mistakes when I first wrote my resume.

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Additionally, you can read a 2000-word article about the 9 steps to perfect cv, and follow the tips to creating a resume from start to finish.

If you are stuck at the end of this, don’t hesitate to comment below with your question and I will be happy to answer and help you.

Q3) I don’t have a covering letter. What do I do?

It isn’t unusual not to have a cover letter or a personal statement before you start your job search. Covering letters are specific to a role and hence the content of the letter will keep changing to meet specific job roles. You can download a cover letter template to get started with creating your first cover letter. The good thing is, the template tells you what you should be writing and it will help you create one and then you can polish it up as you apply for more jobs, which is necessary for Q1.

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Q4) I have applied for lots of jobs, but I don’t hear back.

I am sorry to hear that. It is a question I often get asked, and honestly, there isn’t much I can do about it. In fact, no one apart from you can do anything about it. But I do ask and I ask you too, when you say “applied for lots of jobs”, what do you mean? Do you mean –

1. you sent your resume to all the jobs listed on a website right from cherry picker to recruitment manager? OR
2. you’ve applied to lots of jobs in the recruitment industry but haven’t heard back OR
3. you applied to 30 jobs in one day and have been waiting since to hear back?

If it’s no.1, then that’s bad strategy. You need to focus on the industry you want to work in. Part-time jobs anywhere are different to looking for full-time employment.

If it’s no.3, then that’s crazy. Employment doesn’t work that way – you can’t just shoot off 50 applications in one day and then do nothing. You’d much rather do 5 applications a day but focus on them.

If it’s no.2, then maybe you need to pick the phone and call the recruiter you applied to, ask them for some feedback on why you didn’t make the cut. If anything, he or she may just tell you that there is a different role and ask if you’d like to interview for that one? If that doesn’t happen, then work on the feedback they gave you. How to work on feedback.

Q5) I am scared of interviews, do you have any advice?

It’s not unnatural to be be worried about interviews. Nerves do come into play when you are sitting opposite an interviewer. But they know that and they will account for it. One of the things you can do is practise for your interview, so you are well prepared. It helps in the sense that you are not thrown off-target completely. And keep a tissue at hand to wipe your forehead before going into an interview. It’s better to go in with a smile than be nervous and let your sweat drop off your forehead. And yes, that does happen.

Whether it’s preparing for a phone interview or preparing for a skype interview, you need to be ready. Once you get to the final interview, don’t forget to look professional in your interview; and lastly, here’s how to conquer those competency based interviews.

This article is sponsored by Localmart Jobs

photo credit: photosteve101 via photopin cc