Tips for Job Seekers: Before Applying

Finding a job in this job market is hard for everyone and you need to be prepared. Many job applicants are in a hurry to apply, but they may lose opportunities by not being prepared. I know you want a job now, but if you don't present the best possible product, potential employers may write you off before you can get an interview. Jobs are gained or lost in the interview, so if you don't get a call back, you won't be getting hired. Now, follow these tips and make the best impression before you apply.

1. Have a simple and professional email address.                                                         

• Use your first and last name. Example Name: Kim Min Jung,
• Get an international email server. We suggest Gmail.

2. Check your social networking sites.

• Make sure you don't have inappropriate pictures (drunk, passed out, sexual behavior) on your Facebook, Cyworld or other accounts.
• Look at your status updates and remove anything inappropriate (nothing sexual, drug or alcohol related).
• If you don't want to "clean up" your profile pages, set them to "private."

3. Start a blog and post articles in your field.

• Signup for a free site. We recommend WordPress.com or Tumblr.com, both are free and easy to use.
• Use your full name in the blog title. You want it to be searchable from Google, Bing, Daum, etc. Example Name: Kim Min Jung, Blog Name "http://www.MinJungKim.wordpress.com"
• Use your blog to show interest in your field. For example, if you are applying to work with Samsung Mobile, post articles about the iPhone, Galaxy SIII, world phone sales, new technology, etc.
• Add a few articles a month and write short comments about the article (related to your field or skills).
• NO personal posts unless they relate to your school, training, volunteering or work experience.

4. Get some experience.

• If you have a job now, write down your duties which use the skills required for the job you want.
• If you don't have a job, volunteer. Make sure to connect the volunteer work with skills required for the job you want.
• Join professional organizations. This will cost money for membership dues, but you can list it on your resume and will be helpful for making industry connections.

These four tips will help you look more professional and have a better product (you) for companies to choose. Before you get to the actual interview, you need to practice your reading, writing and speaking to have the best possible image. Everyone knows the job market is tough today, but there are ways to separate yourself from the masses of applicants. Following these tips is a must for any job seeker. If you are not a native English speaker, then you should be practicing extra hard to improve your English Fluency. The next step is preparing for your application. Your application and resume are like thumbnails of you as a person. In the next article we will discuss some tips for the application and creating a winning resume.

By Ron D.