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Getting the Job

It takes some people a great deal of time and effort to find a job they enjoy. Others may walk right into an ideal employment situation. Do not be discouraged if you have to pursue many leads. Friends, neighbors, teachers, and counselors may know of available jobs in your field of interest. Read the classified ads. Consult State employment service offices and consider private employment agencies. You may also contact employers directly.

Once you find a job opening that you want to apply for, be sure to read and fill out the application correctly. Your resume needs to be concise, accurate, and well organized. Also, follow up after you have applied.

The next step will begin when the employer calls to schedule an interview. Take some time and be prepared to answer questions similar to those listed below:

Why do you want to work for this company?
What do you have to offer this company?
What salary are you expecting?

Be prepared to talk about yourself. Most employers want to get a feel for who you really are. Always be honest with your responses. Also be ready to ask questions about the job and the company.

Once you receive a job offer, you are faced with a difficult decision and must evaluate the offer carefully. Fortunately, most organizations will not expect you to accept or reject an offer immediately.

There are many issues to consider when assessing a job offer. Will the organization be a good place to work? Will the job be interesting? Are there opportunities for advancement? Is the salary fair? Does the employer offer good benefits? If you have not already figured out exactly what you want, the following discussion may help you develop a set of criteria for judging job offers, whether you are starting a career, reentering the labor force after a long absence, or planning a career change.