Ive been looking for a job since september of 2009 , I just want to how get better at this.

What a great question. Instead of complaining about the economy and the fact that jobs are hard to find, you chose to take responsibility and improve your skills. A job is just around the corner.

The details are so important in finding a job. Every open position will draw a different number of applicants but let’s say you put your application in one place and so does 26 other people. What is going to make your application stand out? What will the employer be looking for on the application that would make him/her want to interview you?

Your application has to be neat, legible, etc
You need to have some kind of experience. If you haven’t had a lot of jobs, write down what you have done. Did you ever babysit? That shows responsibility. Did you ever volunteer? Do you have chores to do at home? Did you ever have a paper route? Did you ever tutor a younger child in reading? Are you active in your church?
You need to have some references. Old bosses, maybe you have a neighbor who president of a local bank, a pastor or priest, a school principal.

Now it’s time to get the interview. Fill out the application. Drop it off in person if at all possible, to the manager. Introduce yourself. Smile, shake hands. Ask when he will be interviewing and tell him you would really like to work for him or her. Keep smiling and tell him you are looking forward to hearing from him. Thank him. Repeat your name if possible when leaving.

If they are not hiring at the time, still fill out an app, hand it in in person and ask if he has any idea when there will be an opening. Ask if it would be ok if you checked back in a few weeks and then do so face to face.

After handing in the application, if you did it face to face and haven’t heard from him in 2 or 3 days, call or better yet, go in face to face. You don’t have to bother him but you do have to be persistent.

If you handed in the application and did not do it face to face with a manager, call the manager and talk to him the very next day. Ask if he received the app. Tell him you’d like to work for him.

Now you have the interview. Anticipate the questions he will ask and have good answers ready. Practice in front of the mirror if necessary or with someone else. Expect him to ask why you want to work there and it’s important that you don’t say "because I can’t find a job and I need the money". You have to tell him that you like the atmosphere or you always wanted to work at a place like this or it looks like good work, etc

He will also ask things like "tell me about a time when you had to work fast" or "why do you think you would be a good employee for me?". Do not say "I don’t know" or be unprepared without an answer right away. Be prepared. Be ready to tell him what you can do for him. He doesn’t care about your problems, he wants you to solve his issues so keep your answers on that topic.

After the interview, follow up with a phone call or as always it is best face to face. Ask "I was wondering if you’ve made a decision yet". Remember to use your best manners, dress nice, keep good eye contact, etc

Be persistent and be confident.

Your chances of getting a job when you just drop off a resume and don’t follow up are very slim. Make sure he remembers your name and face and even send a thank you card.

If you apply on line, it is even more important to follow up before and after the interview face to face so that he can see a person instead of just a computer screen with words on it.

Best wishes and go get ‘em!

Monster.com- a joke
Jobs.com- asinine
Jobfinder.com- a joke

is there anywhere that is for REAL?
just looking for an entry level/ 1 year relevant experience job as a receptionist/administrative assistant with 20 college credits so far.

Depends on what you want.
Try state gov. sites for gov. jobs. The feds have a site for jobs also.
Many states also have job services that help for Job Searches.

Whatever your interest is look for on line magazines. They ofter have job listings.
Good Luck

I just started unemployment and I’m wondering how often they check the box asking for your Job Search record? I’ll be leaving overseas shortly so I’m not actually searching for work now but I obviously can’t tell them this. I have only been on 3 weeks and will be leaving before I even get to the 3 month mark.

I’ve helped hundreds of people with unemployment. Of those people, I’ve only seen it checked twice.

I have a BA in anthropology in addition to a minor in philosophy. What are some realistic examples of some entry-level jobs for college grad’s that incorporate either philanthropy, social anthropology or philosophy?

How is your driving record? Do you know the basic layout of the city you are in? Are you willing to work 12 hours a day for straight commission? Ready to deal with the public under all kinds of circumstances?

Four years of college will make you a fundamentally better cab driver. Work the more prosperous suburban neighborhoods, work by appointment, seek out the elderly and handicapped or be willing to work early mornings to get the airport trade. Use your own cell phone, print up business cards on your computer. Nothing fancy, just "Please call my driver / Your name / .Your cell phone number.

Zone your work, work a market, work by appointment, show up on time, be helpful.

How do you get into the search and rescue career? I’ve been doing some research on education and programs but haven’t come across anything promising yet. So far the only schooling I’ve found is through the Canadian Forces (I’m from Canada). Is that the only way to get proper training? That doesn’t seem right. If it is, is it worth joining the CF? And there’s also this thing called NASAR. I think it’s American but would someone be able to explain it to me. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

Search and rescue in Canada is performed by the Canadian Forces. Therefore it is one of the only places that trains people in search and rescue. There are volunteer organizations dotted across Canada that assist with search and rescue, called CASARA. These are usually just local pilots helping out with searches in their own planes.