Top tips when searching for a job

Is your job search off to a slow start or getting stuck? Here are some quick, time-saving job search tips that will help your hunt for a new job go smoothly. Be prepared. Have a voicemail system in place and sign-up for a professional sounding email address. Consider getting a separate email account to use for your job search, so you can stay organised. Put your mobile phone number on your resume so you can follow up in a timely manner. Be more than prepared. Always have an up-to-date resume ready to send, even if you are not currently looking for work. You never know when an opportunity that is too good to pass up might come along. If you're not on LinkedIn yet, create a LinkedIn profile and start making connections that can help your job search. Get help. Utilise free or in- expensive services that provide career counselling and job search assistance such as job fairs, college career offices, Jobcentre offices or your local public library. Create your own templates. Have copies of your resume and cover letter ready to edit. That way you can change the content to match the requirements of the job you're applying for, but the contact information and your opening and closing paragraphs won't need to be changed. Microsoft Word users can download free templates for resumes, covering letters and email messages that can be personalised for your own correspondence. Have your references ready. Have a list of three references, including name, job title, company, telephone number and email address ready to give to interviewers. Print a copy of your reference list and take it with you to interviews. Use your network. Be aware of the fact that some job openings aren't advertised. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for work. Ask if they can help. Get social. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter can be a good way to get job listings before they are listed elsewhere. Don't stop. Don't limit your job searching to the websites like Monster or Indeed. Check the smaller niche sites that focus on a particular geographic location or career field. Attend job fairs to meet potential employers and network, and keep an eye out in the classified section of your local newspapers. Look for time-savers. Strapped for time or stuck for ideas? Consider getting help writing or editing your resume by a professional service.