Career News

Ideas to help you succeed in a competitive job market PETERSBURG, VA -- Being out of work for an extended period of time can be very difficult. Whether it has been six months, a year, or longer, use these tips to help yourself get back on track. 1) Be Specific: When possible, make sure your cover letter is specific to the job opportunity. 2) Address the Mess: Explain the gap on your resume. Address the questions that you know are going to be asked with confidence.

3) Present the Perfect You: Proof read, edit, proof read again. One avoidable mistake could cost you the job. Don't lose an opportunity over spelling or grammar errors. 4) Honesty is the Best Policy: Try not to oversell. Be authentic in your approach. 5) Be Considerate: Arrive to an interview early, but not too early; 10-15 minutes should be the max. 6) Practice Makes Perfect: Research interview questions and practice answering them, especially the more challenging ones.

7) Review your References: Have you spoken with your references lately? If it's been a long time since you last spoke to your references, let them know you have recently interviewed and they may be hearing from a hiring manager. 8) Use the Magic Words: After interviewing say thank you. Ideally, send a well written thank you note to everyone you met with at the company. It's also nice to follow-up with a hand written note, which is becoming less common and can help you stand out. 9) Be Confident: Pessimism and doubt are not your allies in a job search.