Annette Goodman, Career Counselor at Goodwill's Freedom Drive Job Connection

This is the first in a series of stories featuring tips from Goodwill's workforce development staff on ways to excel during the job search.

Annette Goodman has seen frustrated people on the job search over and over again in her 15 years as a career counselor.

Being prepared, she says, can erase that frustration and help you stand out in today’s crowded job market.

Goodman, a career counselor at Goodwill’s Freedom Drive Job Connection, came up with “5 Ways To Increase Your Chances On The Job Search.”

HAVE A COMPLETE PORTFOLIO
The key is being prepared when going on a job interview. Get a folder with pockets that will hold a master application, resume, reference sheet, copies of reference letters and certificates. When interviewing, be ready to pull any document out of your portfolio.  Those with a criminal background should include their federal bonding contact number and their WOTC tax information.

INCREASE YOUR NETWORKING
Remember to network, network, network! Join support groups, visit websites such as classmates.com or linkedin.com and speak to family members, neighbors and church members. Also, look at career boards and consider volunteering. Be sure to talk to people no matter where you are – whether it’s on the bus, at the grocery store or at the bank – because you never know where there may be a job or career lead. Be prepared with your 30-second commercial explaining who you are and what you can do for the company.

FOLLOW UP
If you have faxed a resume, completed  an online application or contacted someone through your network, set one day aside each week to follow up via email or phone calls. Being persistent and going that extra mile will pay off in the long run. 

For example, with the job I have now, I got a lead before the position was posted. I called the hiring manager every week and left a message. One day, that person answered the phone and I was ready with my 30-second commercial.

MARKETING “YOU”
Think of yourself as a company. If you are the president of this company, ask yourself, “What does this company look like?  What does it sound like? What are its strengths and weaknesses?” Answering these questions ahead of time will help you be prepared for any questions the interviewer might have.

Also remember this: first impressions are everything! Make sure you are dressed in an appropriate, professional manner.

FIND YOUR CAREER PATH
Most people say they need a job, but a career is really your goal. As a Global Career Development Counselor, I really try to assist my clients in developing career goals. You might need to work on your career goals while you are working or in school. You really need to dig deep and decide what it is that you want to do. Looking at what you’re passionate about may help guide you to a career you might not have considered before.

During this difficult economic time, it can be a good idea to see if you need to build your skill set or even look at a complete career change. The website http://online.onetcenter.org is a great tool. I share it with my clients frequently to see what jobs fall under a particular field, as well as the skills required for a particular job.