Tip 1 Develop a plan before you start applying for jobs

What kind of employment do you want?

CareerForce can help you with interest and skills assessments plus tips on occupation, industry and employer research.

When you’re ready to start looking you can search thousands of Minnesota jobs – filtering by location, job title, company name and keyword – on CareerForceMN.com/job-search.

Tip 2 Take a good hard look at your resume

Your resume probably needs an update. And remember your resume should be customized for each position you apply for to highlight the skills and experience you have that match that particular job posting. If you’re over 40 years old, you may want to make some special tweaks to assist you in overcoming any ageism that could hold you back.

CareerForce offers in-person and online workshops and personalized appointments to help you revamp and target your resume.

Tip 3 Network

Most jobs are found through networking.

Reach out to your network online and in person to find out about positions that might be a good fit for you and to identify references who might be able to help you get your foot in the door.

Consider joining a job club or participating in a networking or hiring event.

CareerForce staff can help you develop a networking strategy and identify steps to implement it online and in person.

Tip 4 Prepare for a successful job interview

What are the questions you should expect? What are the toughest questions you might have to answer and how can you prepare for them?

Can you turn a gap in employment into a positive thing? 

What questions should you ask your interviewers?

You guessed it – CareerForce can help with interview prep too!

Tip 5 Follow up and stay positive

Landing an interview is a big accomplishment and your opportunity to land the job. Make sure you leverage it. Say you’ll follow up – and do it. Be courteous and send a thank you note or email.

If you don’t get the job, ask what the employer was looking for that you didn’t have. This feedback can help you prepare for future interviews. CareerForce staff can work with you to adjust your approach as needed and successfully find employment.

Want to jump start your job search? Contact staff at a CareerForce location near you for help preparing for and find employment now!