tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941322565239180106.post-76626006824718168642007-11-11T08:21:00.000-08:002007-11-11T08:23:22.223-08:00Help WantedSooner or later, almost every job hunter turns to the want ads hoping for an easy way to<br />find the job of their dreams. Knowing how and when to use advertised listings is an<br />important part of your job search.<br /><br />1. Identify the newspapers, magazines, and trade publications that are most likely to<br />advertise the kinds of positions that you are looking for.<br /><br />2. Read the entire classified section from two or three past issues to get a feeling for<br />how the information is organized.<br /><br />3. Make a list of the job titles and section headings that are most appropriate for you<br />and make sure that you check those job titles and section headings each and every<br />time you read the ads.<br /><br />4. Cut out or make copies of the ads that you want to respond to.<br /><br />5. Review the ad carefully before responding. What qualifications are required? What<br />are your greatest strengths and selling points? How do they prefer to receive<br />responses? Remember to take your lead from their cues—if they say “No phone<br />calls!”, that means no phone calls.<br /><br />6. If the ad requests that candidates send resumes, write a strong cover letter to send<br />along with your resume. In your letter, stick as closely as you can to the language<br />and information that is highlighted in the ad.<br /><br />7. Make sure that you include an address, telephone number, and e-mail address<br />where you can be reached.<br /><br />8. If you haven’t heard back from the employer after one week, follow up your letter<br />and resume with a telephone call. In that conversation, confirm that your resume<br />has been received, discuss your qualifications, and request an interview. FYI: Some<br />employment experts estimate that follow-up phone calls increase the likelihood of<br />getting an interview by 25 percent or more.UltraJobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16012257627387210374noreply@blogger.com