Tips for Job Searching

If anyone knows anything about me, I've been unemployed for about seven months and only became reemployed about a month or so ago.  The book we're reading this week, Don't Ask by Natalie Bell, is largely about a girl who doesn't know what to do with her life and is in a dead end job.  She never really transitioned into the working world from college.

Finding a job coming out of college can be hard, especially in this economy, so I'm going to give you a few tips that may help you find employment.

1. Make sure all your profiles are up to date.  Whatever you use, Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com, LinkIn (honestly, you should really sign up for all of them), make sure that your resume and profile are as up to date as they can be.  Also, make sure you "edit" your resume about once a week on these sites (even if you're only putting in a space), so that your resume will pop to the top of the list.
2. Sign up with a Temp Agency and make sure you keep in regular contact with them.  Temp agencies have more connections than you do.  They have more resources and a lot more ways to place you with potential employers.  Even if you don't want a temp job, they can place you in temp to hire jobs, or permanent positions.  You have to keep in contact with them, however.  If you stop emailing them or calling them, to tell them you're still looking, they'll write you off pretty quickly, probably assuming you found a job.
3. Always be on your best behavior.  Interviews are hard, nerve wracking things, so make sure you're incredibly prepared for them.  Rehearse some regularly asked questions the night before, make sure to pick out a professional outfit (dress shirt, blazer and slacks or a skirt, low heels/flats), and always have extra copies of your resume on you.  If it's a phone interview, turn off all potential distractions, go to a quiet room in the house, smile while talking, and make sure you still dress professionally!  Even though you're at home, it will put you in a more professional mindset.
4. Order yourself some business cards.  I know what you're thinking: "I'm only going into an entry level position, what do I need business cards for?"  But think how impressive it is to be able to hand a potential employer a business card.  Keep it simple, choose an uncomplicated design, and put your basic contact info and the job you are trying to acquire (for instance, I put administrative professional on mine and that covers everything from Receptionist to Executive Assistant.)  There are TONS of sites that you can visit that will give you 250 free business cards, just pay shipping.  www.vistaprint.com is one such site (that I've used and can vouch for.)  Also, make sure you carry them at all times.  You never know who you might run into and where.  Just remember: don't put anything on there you wouldn't want a potential employer to see (I.E. a website you run.)
5. Follow up interviews with thank you emails.  This is something I just began this past unemployment round, but it's something I should have been doing all along.  If you have a way to electronically contact the person, then follow up with a thank you email.  It shows that you took the time to think about the interview, and it also reminds the potential employer who you are.  This is especially important if you end up at the beginning of their interview process.

These are just a few tips for job searching, but I feel they're the most important.  Have some helpful job searching tips?  Just leave them in the comments!