> Staying Organized During Your Job Search

It’s a situation you never want to find yourself in – a recruiter calls after receiving your application, and you have no idea what position they are contacting you about. Not only will you be embarrassed, but chances are you won’t be hearing from that recruiter again.

There is nothing wrong with casting a wide net. It certainly increases your odds of finding a job (assuming you applied to relevant positions), but it can be hard to keep track of all your applications. Soon, you find yourself in the humiliating situation outlined above.

The best way to prevent this is to get organized! The sooner you do, the better off you’ll be. Here are some tips on how to organize your job search:

Start from day one

It might be too late for some of you, but try to start your job search with a basic plan of how you intend to organize your applications, resumes, etc. It’s much easier to organize everything from the beginning than it is to go back through weeks, and maybe even months of materials pertaining to your job search.

Save job postings you’ve applied to

If you apply to enough positions, things can get out of hand quickly. Save all of the job postings you’ve applied to in a folder. If you want to store them on your computer, saving the postings in PDF form will probably work best. If you applied to postings that were non-electronic, scan them to your computer if possible. You could even print out job postings and keep them in a physical folder, as long as you keep it in a safe place that you’ll remember. Another option is to create a Microsoft Excel sheet with a list of jobs you’ve applied for. You could include contact info, the date you applied, and more if you really want to be on top of things.

Manage your time effectively

You’ve likely heard the saying that “looking for a job is a full-time job.” This is absolutely true. It can be easy to put things off, but hours turn into days and days turn into weeks pretty quickly. You will get out what you put into your job search. If you apply to one or two openings, the odds simply are not in your favor, so be aggressive with your applications. With all of this being said, don’t forget to relax occasionally. Your job search is important, but it shouldn’t consume all of your time. If it does, you will only stress yourself out even more. Try to put things into perspective and put your best foot forward.

 

In the end, the benefits of staying organized during your job search far outweigh the extra effort you have to put in. You don’t want to lose out on a position (and perhaps future positions) because you were too lazy to keep track of your applications. To put it simply: the cost of being organized is nothing compared to the cost of being unorganized during a job hunt.

-Cobey Culton

> Evaluating Job Offers

As we detailed in our last blog post, the decision to leave a job is rarely an easy one. This is especially true if you like your current position – but what happens when another job offer presents itself? How should you go about weighing the offer against your current situation? Or even one job offer against another?

It wouldn’t hurt to start with an old-fashioned pros and cons list. Here are some aspects to consider:

Salary

I hope that this doesn’t come as a huge shock to you, but yes, the money is important. It can come in many forms: hourly wage, base salary, bonuses, commissions, etc. One job might have a higher base salary, but the other could have the potential to bring in more money due to bonuses. Sometimes the comparison is more straightforward. Either way, make sure you completely understand the financial ramifications of all situations/offers. It is ultimately up to you to decide how big of a role salary will play in your decision.

Benefits

The benefits package included with a job is not to be overlooked. Talk with HR and make sure you understand what is included. Take a close look at the health/life insurance options, 401(k) matching, vacation days, and sick time (to name a few). A good benefits package can easily make up for a dip in salary, so don’t completely write off an opportunity based on the pay without comparing the benefits. Again, it is up to you to decide what is most important when looking at a job offer, but you would be remiss if you didn’t at least consider the perks included with each situation.

Schedule

Will one job require more hours or more travel (or both)? If so, carefully weigh the implications of a heavier workload. Make sure you can handle the lifestyle change, and above all, make sure that the increased workload is worth it. Also consider the commute that each job requires. Driving half an hour or more to work will really add up over the course of a year. It may even nullify bump in salary you receive. Remember: time (and gas) is money!

Culture

The work environment of each job should be a big factor in your decision. Sometimes this might even be a “gut feeling” type of decision. Let’s say you got a job offer that will pay you a little more, but you didn’t like the vibe of the office. Should you really take that offer if you love the work environment at your current job? Well, it’s up to you, but your overall comfort level and happiness should not be tossed aside in the name of the almighty dollar. On the side of things, don’t turn down a great opportunity because you are so comfortable in your current position. Leaving a place you are familiar with for a new job is uncomfortable by definition, but it might be the right decision.

 

Nobody said that world of job hunting is full of easy, black-and-white choices. Regardless, if you find yourself with any type of job offer you are already in a good situation, so don’t stress out too much. Consider your situation carefully because it is unique. What might be a great fit for you could be a not-so-great fit for someone else, and vice-versa. Good luck!

-Cobey Culton

> Tips for Your First Day of Work

So, you nailed the interview and got the job. You start on Monday. Now what?

The first day of work at a new job is nerve-wracking for just about everybody. Here are a few tips to make sure that you put your best foot forward on your first day:

Do some research

You should have already done some cursory research about the company before your interview. Now that they have hired you, consume every bit of information you can find prior to your first day. Browse their website and maybe do a few Google searches – you will likely be surprised at how much information is out there. If you come in on your first day well-versed in the company’s goals, history, etc. you will set yourself up for success on day one.

Be on time

Whatever you do, don’t be late on your first day. There is no need to make this point longer than necessary. Make sure that you know where you are going and that you allow enough time to get there. Nothing creates a worse first impression than being tardy on your first day of work.

Wear appropriate attire

Hopefully when you interviewed you got a good feel for the work environment. If so, dress accordingly so that your appearance jibes with coworkers. If you weren’t able to get a preview of the work environment, don’t hesitate to ask someone (your supervisor or an HR rep) about the dress code. Being overdressed can give off the impression that you are “showing up” your new coworkers. Being undressed, on the other hand, might send the message that you don’t care about your new position. Look sharp, but don’t overdo it.

Listen and take notes

You are new, after all. Commit yourself to listening and observing instead of talking, at least during your first few days. This approach will endear you to your coworkers and help you adapt to your new environment. Learn the names of your coworkers and make sure you have a good understanding of your job. This is not to say you shouldn’t assert yourself at all – ask questions, even if they seem “dumb.” Your supervisor will appreciate your desire to do things right the first time through. Just resist the urge to recommend an overhaul of their current way of doing things, no matter how inefficient it may seem. Sure, they may be bringing you on board to get a fresh perspective, but don’t offer that perspective right off the bat. Save that for when you are completely acclimated to your new work environment.

If you follow the basic tips outlined above, you will be off to a good start. In the end, don’t forget what has gotten you to this point. They hired you for a reason. Go out and show them why!

 

– Cobey Culton