If you’re looking for an entry-level job in technical writing, where do you start? How do you stand out among the masses of application packets? What will persuade an employer to take a chance on you?
The task of attracting and securing a job can seem overwhelming. There’s so much competition, and so much to think about. The issue is, as soon as you know what you want, a whole other set of issues appears. Are you ready to start working? Can you handle the stress of employment? Are you willing to relocate?
When it comes to job searching, many new professionals let fear get in the way of them pursuing their dreams. They assume that if they don’t get a job offer within the first few days of submitting their resume, then there must be something wrong with it. They begin to doubt themselves, wondering if they’re capable of doing the job well enough to warrant a callback. This is how you prevent yourself from being in fear of not getting a job, and allow yourself to focus on the task at hand: securing employment in your desired field.
Decide What You Want
Make a list of all the positions you’re interested in pursuing. There are many different kinds of technical writing jobs available. You might be asked to write software documentation, conduct training courses, or even create marketing materials and web content. Whatever you’re interested in, list the associated duties and responsibilities.
Once you have a list, you can begin to focus on what you do and don’t want in your application. For instance, you might decide that you don’t want to go for a job that requires you to be out of state, as you’re still in school and need flexibility regarding your schedule. You might also decide that you don’t want to pursue a job in social media, as you have no experience in that area. Review your list carefully, and make a note of everything you need and nothing you don’t. This will help you be selective about which applications to pursue, and it will make the process less stressful.
Create A Resume
A resume is an essential part of any job search. It’s the only thing that comes closest to representing your work experience. When crafting your resume for potential employers, it’s important to keep in mind the purpose of the document. Your resume should be able to persuade an employer to contact you for an interview. To that end, it should be formatted to highlight your strengths and skills. Your resume should also be fairly easy to digest. Short, snappy sentences and bulleted lists will keep your resume concise and easy to understand.
When it comes to keywords, be as general as possible. Including too many specifics will make your resume harder to find. An employer may find it difficult to search for essential keywords if your resume is filled with unrelated terms. For example, if you’re applying for a social media job and your resume includes the terms blogging and online marketing, you’re probably going to end up sounding like a jackass to the employer who is trying to find information on social media marketing. Your resume will likely end up in the pile of unread applications.
Prepare For The Interview
Now that you have a resume ready, it’s time to prepare for the interview. Regardless of whether or not you get an offer from the employer you interviewed with, you must follow up. Even if you don’t get the job, you’ll likely be contacted for another interview if the company is interested in hiring more experienced personnel. Interviewing is an important step in the employer-employee connection. It allows both parties to get to know each other and determine if this is the right fit for both of them. Make sure you’re willing to work for the company, and that you can fit into their company culture. These are important steps that will help you get that first job in your desired field. Don’t forget about them, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t get an offer immediately.
Although you may feel like you’re at the end of the process, it’s important to keep looking for opportunities, networking, and creating a positive attitude. If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to secure entry level employment in your desired field. Don’t forget about the job search; it’s a continuous process. You may not get the job you want at first, but you’ll almost certainly get the job you need. Good luck out there.