A Guest Post by Elizabeth Heron
You might be applying for a job for one of many reasons. You might be looking for a part-time or full-time position while going to school as a way to gain experience, increase your income or boost your resume. Regardless of your motivation for seeking a certain job, it should be a job that makes you feel successful and enables you to achieve your long-term goals. Make sure that the job you are considering is a good fit by reading the following.
It’s important to know your abilities, what your daily duties will be, stay up-to-date about in-demand job skills, and how to not shy away from computer knowledge requirements. So, how to do your research when you’re not sure if a job fits you? Start with what you know the most about. You. Check out this article if you’re feeling overwhelmed with career options and are having trouble deciding on the career path or job you want, read the following article from school.org.
While the pay rate is an important consideration, choosing the job that fits your abilities will help you benefit from the job every day, and also help you get paid properly. Start by listing your abilities on a piece of paper. Don’t worry about fitting these items on a resume yet. Just think of the things you are able to do. Now, list they things you enjoy doing. Refer to the job description of the position you are considering. Does the description and daily job duties fit in with your abilities?
There are many resources where you can read about what a typical day at work doing your job is like. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a great resource to get accurate information about the job environment you should expect to work in. After accessing their home page, type your preferred job title into the search on the upper right-hand corner. In case you’re interested in working as a bartender and you haven’t decided yet, before sending your resume, just type in “bartender duties” into the search bar, then choose the heading closest to the vacancy you are applying for.
It is likely that you will find some duties listed that are fairly new to you. Use this to your benefit. Keep in mind that each job listed on your resume is supposed to be a learning experience that lead to your growth as a professional. Regarding unfamiliar duties, ask yourself if you are open to learning the new skills and if those skills are needed in the current job market. Technical skills can be a deal breaker in some cases, but are highly sought after in today’s job market.
It’s hard to find a vacant job position that does not require any level of computer or software usage. Technical knowledge has become a basic skill to have and one that most employers assume the job applicant possesses. Basic computer skills are easily acquired by devoting a couple of hours each day to learn something new about a software program, how to use a new technical device, speed up typing and increase word rate or the basic skills needed to navigate the internet.
Don’t forget that you will need these basic navigation skills to research prospective jobs. You can do a quick internet search on bls.gov that will give you information about your target job as well as similar jobs. Think about your previous jobs and the daily responsibilities that you enjoyed and those that you hated. Both types of job duties taught you something. When researching a new job or career path, make a list of practical questions you need to know about the job.
Access credible sources to read about in-demand job skills. It is important to stay current about what employers look for in job applications. Make your job application and resume stand out by incorporating the job skills, abilities, and experience you already have and that correspond to what that employer is looking for. Since a company’s bottom line, your prospective employer’s focus during the 6 to 7 seconds most employers take to review a job application will be on whether or not you can do the job.
Your job research should start with you. Knowing your skills, abilities, and what competencies are currently in demand will help you find out if a job fits you and will be beneficial to you in the long term. Know that any employer wants to hire applicants whom they feel can do the job. Make sure to visit authoritative sources to get an idea of what a typical day on the job looks like and be confident that you can become knowledgeable in any given field.
Elizabeth Heron is an HR manager who oversees the execution of the company’s internal strategy. She helps employees to find their career goals and motivates them through the process of reaching the ideal job. Elizabeth contributes regularly to iresumecoverletter.com where she gives advice in regard to cover letters and resumes. Elizabeth has graduated from master of Journalism and Mass Communication, Kent State University.
