Career Advice for Job Seekers
6 Halloween Job Search Tips
William Frierson
Jim Hopkinson, Salary.com contributing writer
Halloween is big business. According to an infographic by History.com last year, giant pumpkins have tipped the scales at 1,810 pounds, the average American will consume 24 pounds of candy, and 120 million people will dress up in a costume — with 11.5% of them also dressing up their pet.
It also seems that each year the costumes become more and more elaborate, with some people spending hours and hours on the perfect look. It’s enough to make you wonder what would happen if these people spent as much time thinking about their career as they did applying zombie makeup.
Let’s have some fun and see what lessons from all hallow’s eve we can apply to the business of you.
6. Prepare the Ingredients for Success
You think a haunted house is frightening? Believe me, nothing is scarier than the mob scene and long lines at the Halloween store if you wait until the last minute. They won’t have any good costumes left, and the ones that are decent won’t be in your size. Quick tip: some stores open early so if you know what you want, hit up the store before work, not after.
Preparation is also key when planning your career. Why put off starting your job search until tomorrow when others are preparing as we speak? And even while you’re in your current job, you should be thinking about the next step up the ladder and learning the skills needed to get there. If you’re looking to ask for a raise or a promotion in the near future, start keeping track of your accomplishments now, stay in good communication with your boss, and align yourself with the right projects.
Just like with costumes, the best positions and opportunities often go to those who get there first. And the best preparation is research, using our free Salary Wizard.
5. Be Current
When it comes time to choose your costume, don’t get stuck in the past. Take a look at the latest Internet memes, think about recent movies everyone has seen, and pick up a tabloid magazine at the checkout counter. You want to be strutting Gangnam Style, not looking like the guy from The Hangover.
In the workplace, make sure your skills aren’t mired in the past. When’s the last time you took a training course or signed up for a class outside of work? Whether it’s a certification within your industry or learning the latest software, make sure you’re up to date.
This is also vitally important in regard to your salary. If you haven’t gone on an interview within the last year to get an idea of your value on the marketplace, do some online research to find out what your salary level should be. You might be underpaid and ready for a raise or promotion.
4. Sexy Sells
Sexy nurse. Sexy cop. Sexy prison guard. Sexy school teacher. Sexy Department of Motor Vehicles employee. OK, we get it. For some of the women out there (and the guys too), this is their one time of year to have fun and let loose.
Big interview coming up? Don’t go there. Look, we’re not saying you should dress as “Sexy Job Seeker.” However, don’t be afraid to sex up your resume a bit.
When faced with a pile of candidates, the average HR person might only look at yours for a few seconds. If your CV is the same exact resume template file from Microsoft Word, consider adding a flash of color, style, or font. It shouldn’t be so garish as to make it look amateur, but standing out from the pack and grabbing attention is a surefire way to increase the odds of you getting noticed. Continue reading . . .
Article by Jim Hopkinson and courtesy of Salary.com
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