Page 28 - Complete Idiot's Guide to The Perfect Resume

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Part 1 ➤ Plan to Succeed

Keep Your Chin Up

No matter how carefully you plan, you will encounter challenges dur-
ing your hunt. I’d be surprised if you haven’t already come face to face
with a few. Maybe you struggled with trying to choose the best resume
book among the many on the bookstore shelf. But see? You made it
through that dilemma with flying colors, and you’ll make it through
Job-Hunt Hint
the rest. Let’s look at some of the hurdles you might run into and ways
From the comfort of your com- to cope with or, better yet, jump over them.
puter, you can access thousands
of newspaper classifieds online. Ducks in a Row
For links to such classified sites,
log onto my Web site at We all have our own techniques for getting things done. Some like to
http://www.susanireland.com or use electronic gadgets with lots of bells and whistles, others have elab-
check out the employment sites orate filing systems, and then there are folks who like to tape index-
listed in Appendix C. card notes all over their walls. Go with whatever system suits you.
You can use any of these common tools and gizmos to stay on top of
contact information, deadlines, appointments—all those slippery
details you’ll be juggling throughout your job hunt:
➤ Hand-held electronic calendars, like the PalmPilot , seem to hold
all the names, addresses, dates, times, and comments you can
imagine and include cross-referencing capabilities.
➤ Organizational software programs, such as FileMaker  Pro or
Job-Hunt Hint
ACT!  Contact Manager, are database applications that allow you
Be organized with your job hunt. to create columns and rows to suit your needs. Some applications
You’d be surprised how many even set off alerts to remind you of an upcoming event.
hiring decisions come down to
➤ Time-management systems are very popular. The famous Franklin
“This guy really has his act
Planner comes with a management philosophy that millions swear
together; the other guy didn’t.
by, along with either a paper or electronic calendar.
Let’s go with the organized one.”
➤ Use pen or pencil to take notes and mark important dates in a
paper calendar, which you can buy at the local five-and-dime or
stationery store.

Being organized doesn’t mean spending a zillion dollars on fancy para-
phernalia (though of course you can have fun doing that if you want
to). As you can see from the preceding list, some excellent tools cost
next to nothing. The important thing is to have a system in place so
Career Casualties that you can find information quickly, get to appointments on time,
and remember to do your follow-up steps.
Procrastinator alert: Don’t use
the excuse that you haven’t
learned how to work your new Out of the Quicksand
electronic calendar as a way of
putting off your job search! Take Whether you leap or inch your way to your perfect job, there will be
notes with paper and pencil until setbacks, disappointments, and rejections along the way. The big ques-
you’re ready for your high-tech tion is: What are you going to do when you hit a bump and suddenly
gadget. feel as though you’re sinking in quicksand? Here are some ways to pre-
pare for those not-so-joyous occasions:

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