30 in 30: The Insider's Guide to Job-Hunting in '09
Skip to the bottom for an index of all our job-hunting tips to date.
Happy New Year, Gradspotters!
As our advent calendar ran dry and we broke the binding on our new Gossip Girl 2009 Calendar, we couldn’t help but feel that there’s never been a better time for recent grad resolutions, particularly for anyone looking for a job. Let’s face facts: the country is in a recession, and many industries have been in severe hiring freezes for the past few months. Companies have been downsizing and struggling to keep up with payroll. Grad school competition is as fierce as ever, and recent grads seeking entry-level spots are forced to throw in their lot against career-changers with much more professional experience.
But hey, it’s not all doom and gloom! Some of those hiring freezes are beginning to thaw out, and believe it or not, there are industries out there that are actually booming. It's time to buckle down, and we know you're up for the challenge. More so than ever, it’s essential to put your best foot forward on the job-hunt and do everything you can (within the law, of course) to stand out from the pack.
In case you didn’t know, 2009 is the Year of the Ox, an animal known for being a strong and tireless worker. Let it be your muse as you set of on the road to gainful employment, starting by checking in with us for one job tip a day over the next 30 days. From customizing your resume to networking online and dressing for interview success, we'll break down the process into four essential parts: Figuring Out What You Want to Do, Preparing for the Hunt, Networking, and Finding Jobs/Interviewing.
By staying on top of the 30 in 30 series and implementing each tip over the course of the month, you will set a great foundation for a coup de employment in '09! Good luck, and be sure to catch up on any tips you've missed below.
Want to share your own tips with the Gradspot community? Email 30in30 [at] gradspot [dot] com with your tip, your occupation/industry of interest, and your name as you'd like it to appear on the site. Or just add your comments to any of our tips along the way.
The Road to 30: Job-Hunting Tips to Date
#3: Read the News to Find Your Passion
#5: Earn Some Cash in the Meantime
#6: Which Industries Are Doing Well?
#9: Change Your Voicemail Recording
#10: Clean Up Your Online Profile
#11: The Cover Letter Conundrum
#12: Try Online Career Networking
#13: Start a Networking Spreadsheet
#14: Twitter Your Way to a New Job
#15: The Friends and Family Plan
#16: Tell a Story
#18: Who Is Your Professional Hero?
#19: Set Up an Informational Interview
#20: Send Thank You Notes
#21: Beyond Monster and Craigslist
#22: How to Email Job Applications
#23: Interview Prep Work
#25: Nail Your Phone Interview
#26: Send a Follow-Up
#27: Have a Life
#28: "What's Your Greatest Weakness?"
#29: This Is Just the Beginning of Your Career
#30: Loose Ends
Despite being on guard against job losses and increasing rate of unemployment in the state still people are eager to fight. Job-hunting seem as if an adventure for an extra cash bounty. These roads to 30 tips are of course a big help to job seekers all over the world. And, believe me we'll need all the help and luck that we could get just to get a job these days.