Target Practice - Learn to Focus Your Job Search Sioux Falls SD

Posted by : Elizabeth Millard

Q: I'm in search of a Java or Visual Basic programming job, after graduating in May. I've also had some intern experience programming. I applied to thousands of companies through e-mail and online forms and a number through the mail. I have also posted my resume on numerous job boards. What else can I do?

A: As tempting as it might be to take the more-is-better approach when applying to positions, it's not always effective to simply blanket the corporate world with your résumé. Your first goal as a job seeker shouldn't be to get an enormous number of HR people to read your pithy cover letter, but rather, to deliver your information to the right inboxes.

Toward that end, a generic cover letter and standard resume aren't enough in this tough market. Simply having the requisite skills and a fierce desire to work won't make you stand out from the other couple hundred candidates, unfortunately.

But, if you research the companies that have openings and craft your cover letter to include specific ideas for an individual firm, you'll increase your chances considerably.

The first step is to target about a dozen companies that really interest you, and research them thoroughly, via the Web and informational interviews. Try to reconnect with your internship contacts, who may know good places in your area that are looking to hire.

Find out what kinds of projects are being undertaken at the companies, and think about how yo...

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