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Job hunting is more competitive than it has been in years. The present economy means that there are countless newly-unemployed people looking for the same jobs you are. Therefore it is more important than ever to know everything you can about job hunting skills.

Make sure everyone you know is aware that you are looking for a new job. Most jobs are never advertised and therefore if you are searching only in newspapers and online job sites, you are missing a lot of opportunities. Utilize social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to get it out there that you are looking for work. Just remember to use social networking wisely. Anything and everything that you put on the web is something that a potential employer can see. Therefore, choose wisely before you share too much in cyberspace.

Research companies in your area and check their websites. Jobs may be listed there that are not listed elsewhere. If you are interested in working for a particular firm, call them, send them your resume and follow it up with a phone call. Get the name of a contact person to speak with there.

Create a sensational resume, having spent a great deal of time on it. Have it proofread and critiqued by several people. Remember to tailor it to every job you apply on. It will make a huge difference in getting interviews, as the resume typically makes the very first impression that someone has of you. Grab them with a great ?Career Objective? that is perfectly tied to the job you are seeking. Use resume buzz words and terms from their job description throughout the resume and cover letter to help cinch the fact that you are the perfect fit for the job.

Write thank you notes after a job interview. This is a crucial step that many people skip. Doing this one thing can make the difference between choosing you or someone else for the job. Be prompt with the note; send it the same day as the interview. Send thank you notes individually to all those who interviewed you. Reiterate your desire to work at the firm, your suitability for the job, add anything you may have forgotten to mention and above all, thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity.

Prepare well for interviews. Learn everything you can about the company you are being interviewed for. Prior to the interview have intelligent questions formulated that show that you have knowledge of the company, because the interviewer will always ask if you have any questions. Practice the answers to typical interview questions. Write out the answers and rehearse them, so that you feel comfortable answering them during the stress of the interview. Have impeccable grooming and dress your best for the interview. Remember that first impressions are made in the first seconds you meet someone, so put your best foot forward, radiate confidence and offer a firm handshake to create the best impression possible.

Treat the job hunt like you would a job. Start early in the day and keep going until the end of the workday. Dress like you are going to work, or even better. Do not sink into the trap of depression because you are job hunting. Strive to do your best at job hunting, because that is your job if you are out of work.

By working hard and putting the required effort into your job hunt, you can be confident in the fact that you are doing all you possibly can to find a job. Be patient and use your imagination as you seek opportunities. Before you know it, you?ll find the perfect job just for you.

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Jason Kay recommends that you learn more job search strategies at JobGoRound.com.

Are you a teenager wondering how to spend the summer? You can’t go wrong with these classic teen jobs. (Air conditioning not included.)

Lifeguard

Being a lifeguard looks like the easiest teen job out there. You sit on a high chair, twirl your whistle and tan-right? Actually, there’s a bit more to it. Becoming a lifeguard requires extensive training, including swimming tests, written tests and CPR certification. Once you have your basic certification, (in most places you must be at least 15 years old), you have to decide what kind of lifeguard job fits you best.

Working at a hotel pool or small community pool is a good choice for teens looking for a relaxing lifeguarding job. There are generally fewer swimmers and no diving area or deep end. This job can be boring-on overcast days you may find yourself playing a lot of solitaire-but be careful to stay alert. You may also be responsible for testing the water each hour, adjusting pool chemicals and cleaning the bathrooms (fun).

Working at a big pool or water park is the perfect job for teenagers who want an action-packed day. You’ll be part of a large lifeguard team watching hundreds of people, including hordes of rambunctious kids. You may also administer swimming tests and teach swimming lessons (this can earn you a little extra cash). Staying alert is essential-you will have to rescue people.

Teens who are serious adrenaline junkies should look into beach lifeguarding jobs. You have to be in top physical shape for these positions; applicants often have to compete for open positions in swimming and running tests. Beach lifeguard pay is usually high for a teen job, from $16 to $25 per hour.

Theme park worker

There are tons of summer job opportunities for teens in amusement parks-the trick is picking one you’ll enjoy. Do you have the stamina to prance around in a SpongeBob SquarePants costume all day? Can you handle wearing lederhosen and serving bratwurst? How about shouting “Please keep your hands inside the car at all times” 500 times a day?

Parks offer seasonal teen jobs in admissions, clean-up, food service, games , security and more. The work itself can be repetitive and the pay is generally a dollar or two above minimum wage, but the people-watching’s always entertaining. You may meet teens from other countries who come to the U.S. to work. Hey, it’s good to have a friend in Spain!

The best part of having a theme park job is the perks, like free park admission. If you’re a roller coaster junkie, you may start coming to work even on your days off. And you’ll suddenly become more popular when your friends find out you have a stack of free tickets.

Camp counselor

One of the best summer jobs for teens is working as a camp counselor. In just three months you bond with kids, get in shape and make close friends. You might even find a little romance on a moonlit canoe trip. Did we mention you’re living far away from your parents?

There are hundreds of summer camps in the U.S.-some single-sex, some co-ed. Some camps focus on athletics or riding and some are designed for campers with disabilities. Not sure if singing “Kumbaya” is really your thing? Adventurous teens should check out jobs at wilderness camps, which focus more on physical challenges and outdoor survival.

The salary depends on your title but generally ranges from $1800 to $3000 for the summer. Compared to other teen jobs, that works out to a pretty paltry hourly wage, considering you’re on duty almost 24-7. Room and board is typically free, however. On your days off you can have fun with your fellow counselors by hiking, swimming or catching a movie in town.

The downsides? Cleaning the bathrooms, dealing with pushy parents and handling that one kid who throws rocks at hornets’ nests and cheats at Capture the Flag.

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SnagAJob.com is the number one source for hourly jobs. Read more job search tips and get advice on finding teen jobs, summer jobs and part-time jobs at SnagAJob.com. Start your job search today!

All teen jobs are not created equal. Lucky teenagers grab jobs at high-dollar restaurants, laid-back coffee shops or clothing stores like Hollister and American Eagle. Unlucky teens get jobs frying fish sticks at Uncle Leo’s Seafood Shack.

How can you be sure you get the job you want? Here are a few tips especially for teens.

Defy stereotypes. Many managers almost expect teen job seekers to be less professional-and even less respectful-than older applicants. Show them you’re different. Arrive on time to the interview. Shake hands firmly. A suit’s appropriate for an interview at an office job; for more casual jobs, an ironed shirt and a nice skirt or pants are fine.

Be what the company’s looking for. Read job descriptions carefully to get a mental picture of the employer’s ideal candidate. Take these two:

“Enthusiastic servers wanted for fast-paced, high-energy and FUN environment.”

“Responsible individual needed for highly visible front-desk position at downtown law firm.”

The smart teen job seeker will tailor his or her interview style to match the tone of the job description. Naturally bubbly? Play it up for the server job; put on your serious face for the receptionist post.

Tell them what they want to hear. Teen job seekers should practice interview questions ahead of time with a friend or parent. One you’re guaranteed to hear is “Why do you want to work here?” This is a trick question ? it’s not really about you, it’s about the company.

Wrong answer: “Well, I think I’d enjoy working here. My friends say it’s a pretty chill place.”
Better answer: “I’m excited about working for one of my favorite stores and I really like the team atmosphere here.”

One more classic: “Why are you a good fit for the company?” Again, think about what you can offer them, not the perks they’ll offer you.

Wrong answer: “I like the flexible work hours and the uniforms aren’t too hideous. Besides, how could I say no to free burritos?”
Better answer: “I’m a hard worker and I have a lot of energy. I think I would be a strong addition to your team.”

Don’t be scared to talk about money. Money’s a good thing. Money’s the reason you want a job, right? However, many teen job seekers-and adults too-find it difficult to bring up the subject in a job interview.

Be brave and do it! Ask about the hourly wages. Ask how long it takes, on average, for an employee to get a raise. Ask about vacation days, sick days, insurance and benefits. If you don’t ask now, you won’t find out until after you have the job-and by then you could be stuck in no-paid-vacation-ever-land.

Be realistic when you’re talking about your pay, however. Use an online wage calculator to figure out what the average wage is for the job you’re interested in. And keep in mind that if the employer won’t budge on salary, maybe you can negotiate flexibility on other things, such as scheduling or sick days.

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SnagAJob.com is the number one source for hourly jobs. Read more job search tips and get advice on finding teen jobs, summer jobs and part-time jobs at SnagAJob.com. Start your job search today!