Lord Lionheart

There are a lot of people on this forum that are new arrivals to the US or people that have lost their jobs and are seeking new gainful employment. After the great success I have had in trying to help another person find a job I think a general USA job hunting thread might be useful............. or not
Please place all your advice, interview techniques, tips and useful information here for those of us seeking work.

Chorlton

I found my search to be much like back home. I was successful quite quickly, so for what its worth here are my general tips:
Explain all the British stuff in your CV (call it a resume!). Spell it all out but don't dumb it down.
Hit every business that may have an opening for you in the future (thats how I got my first here), whether there is an ad or not. Be sure to direct it at the right person.
Do your homework. Google them, find out what they do and what their standards are.
Trade on the British stereotypes - smartly dressed, polite but not too uptight etc.
If you get an interview, always call them afterwards. Both my wife and I have got jobs this way.

Leslie

Send a thank you note after the interview.

Lord Lionheart

Please advise what it should say? Should I use a first or second class stamp? Would you recommend spraying it with my favorite cologne? I need details damn it ............ as I am too stupid to write my own letter.

RoadWarriorFromLP

Employment listing websites:

Monster: http://jobsearch.monster.com/interstitial_js.asp
Hot Jobs: http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/
Career Builder: http://www.careerbuilder.com/

Other sources for listings:

Local newspapers
For professional positions -- Wall Street Journal
If you can sneak in -- University career centers (for lower-level positions)

Resumes versus CV's:

-Size matters -- unless you are in a specialized field in which there is an exception, i.e. academia or IT, resumes should not exceed one page. (A longer resume is generally considered clutter, and may very well be thrown out.)
-Do include: name, address, personal phone/ fax, email address, employment and educational history, computer skills, honors and awards, publications, professional memberships, "References available upon request"
-Consider including: Hobbies / personal interests if they are active in nature (no reading, TV viewing, etc.)
-Exclude: Height, weight, gender, marital status, number of children, photographs (unless you are an actor)

Best book on the subject (IMO, of course): Richard Bolles, What Color Is Your Parachute? (feel free to disregard the religious references as needed.)

Eskimo

Having interviewed a number of external candidates for some fairly senior positions at our place the biggest shock I had is the total lack of preparation. Google us and understand what we do and who our competitors are ! I have also seen some very long resumes with all sorts of weird fonts, styles and bloody life stories - stick to accomplishments..

However I'm interviewing interns next week and that will have a very different selection criteria

Lord Lionheart

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

Eskimo

you're not helping yourself you know

Leslie

I suggest it be handwritten with this guy -----> dotting every "i"... Or put it in a real cutesy font (something with lots of twirls and whirls) and a flowery border. Spray it with your favorite cologne. Put on some lipstick and kiss the letter. A photo of you as a baby wouldn't go amiss either.

Sign it:


Big Smooches and Lots of Blow Jobs,

I.P. Freely

Pimpbot

I usually find that the criteria for interns, revolves around their looks and breast size.

Eskimo

you over estimate the depth of interview - I mean looks whats that about ?

Sarah

I've noticed that when I go for an interview for a job I'm not that bothered about getting, I have always been offered the job. Probably because I'm not nervous or because I'm more relaxed I guess. Went to a job interview two weeks ago for a job I really wasn't sure I wanted to do, I didn't waffle on endlessly about myself, I just sat there smiling, answering the questions honestly and wondering what to have for dinner that night. Result - just been offered the job and they've offered me the biggest salary I've ever been offered in my life. (Not saying much, I promise you)
On Monday went for an interview for a job that I really really wanted. My heart went about 200bpm through out the entire thing and I felt self-conscious and uptight. They've also offered me the job but I can tell they're not as keen to take me on as the other place.
One thing my mum told me to do is to tilt my head to one side when I'm listening as it makes you look more interested in what they're saying. Also maintain eye contact, ask questions, dont' try to be funny and if you're nervous, focus on your breathing or think about a loved one to calm you down.

Bob

those sites are pretty limited to business management and sales or teaching, and found them to be pretty crap...but would be impressed if they have come up with the good for anyone...

the hobbies..that's a CV thing, on the resume, been told not to bother as they couldn't careless over here..hmmm *l*

www.linkedin.com bit shite for job hunting, but handy for finding names of people in companies, especially HR and department leads...

antjen

i read through a lot of applications in my position, and the thing which amazes me, is the amount of people who do not put any effort into writing a cover letter - and the few that do, make it sound so in personal - as if the same letter was sent to 100's of companies!!

Ant

antjen

I agree!! - a thank you note always goes down well, it shows that you want the position. plus i normally remember the candidates who send thank you letters over those who dont!

Ant