3 important keys to getting a job

1. Keep in mind that you have only 10 - 20 seconds to make a good impression. Therefore, it’s vitally important to craft each cover letter and resume for a specific company and job opening. Generic mass submissions will be deleted in a snap, if they’re even delivered at all. Many companies are using software to presort resumes for them by searching cover letters and resumes for keywords specific to the job opening. Use this to your advantage by carefully analyzing all the information you can find about a job opening. Use the phrases describing skills and other requirements, as applicable, in your resume. Your resume will stand out and can make it through initial screenings if you’ve taken the time to research job opening and addressed specific requirements directly with your cover letter and resume.

2. While the Internet is a great job-hunting tool, face-to-face networking is vitally important. Seventy percent of people who have gotten jobs have done so through someone they know. Join associations for your industry and attend as many events as possible. Talk to people and get to know them - and let them get to know you, as well. Your goal is to develop a network of contacts who can encourage their hiring managers to pay attention to your resume when it arrives, should a position open with their company that you’re interested in.

3. With so many candidates to choose from, companies are putting more emphasis on choosing people who fit well with their corporate culture and philosophy. In many cases the screening process is longer, with the candidate required to answer more in-depth questions and to meet with more people to determine whether or not their personality is the right fit. Use this to your advantage by being selective and in tune with the companies you apply to. Study the company and the people who work there and emphasize your aspects that best fit the traits they’re looking for.

comments: in the next few years, we all will be looking for jobs and internships as gaining experience is equally important as getting education and in order to get a job, its very important to stand out of the pile otherwise, you might never be able to get a good job. we have a lot of time at this stage and if we start making an effort towards standing out of the pile, it can actually make a huge difference.

source: http://www.resumebear.com/blog/index.php/2009/12/01/3-important-keys-to-getting-a-job/