by The Extraordinary Tourist

Created on: April 29, 2007   Last Updated: September 24, 2010

Where you start really depends on where you are now. Is this your first time looking for a job or are you changing jobs, returning to work or simply looking for new opportunities?

No matter what your situation, the very first thing you should do is create and/or update your resume. Ideally your resume should be no longer than two pages and should include at least two referees. Most job markets are very competitive. A resume that is too long may not get read. If you do need more than two pages make sure everything is clearly labeled and easy to find at a glance. There are many job web sites that can help you create your resume such as Monster (www.monster.com)

Although all the advice in this article may be useful you might want to skip to the section below that best describes you...

First time Job Seeker.

More often than not, first time job seekers are either still at school/college or have recently graduated. If this is you then you should be looking for entry level positions in your chosen career.

If you're interested in a trade then you might consider looking for an apprenticeship, which is an ideal way to 'earn while you learn' as it gives you real, hands on experience.

Note that, as a first time job seeker, with little or no experience it may be hard to break into your chosen career straight away. This could be because you either lack the experience or there is a great deal of competition for the entry level positions.

In this case you need to do everything possible to give you an 'edge' over the competition. You may even have to take a job outside of your chosen career path (temporarily) just to establish a work history that shows you are reliable and ready for employment within your field of interest.

Taking on temporary work for short periods is a good way to establish credible referees - especially if your referees are currently all personal referees or your teachers from school/college.

Looking to Change Employers.

If you already have a job but want to change employers (perhaps you don't like the conditions/pay etc. or perhaps you're moving to far away to continue your present job) then the first thing you need to do is make sure you leave your present employer on good terms. As your most recent employer, your current employer is your best pick to be a referee on your resume. They may even be the difference between you getting the job over someone else.

If you can't leave on good terms then, you need to be sure you clearly state to any future employers

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