5 Ways to Get the Job You Want

Finding work when you’re 15 can be frustrating–there are a number of federal restrictions on what work teenagers can perform and when they can work during the week. These restrictions are meant to keep the youngest members of our workforce safe and keep their jobs from interfering with their education.

If you’re a young job searcher, don’t give up! There are many benefits to joining the workforce early. Besides having money in their pockets, teenage workers are getting early experience in the world of work, exploring their strengths and aptitudes and gaining insight into what careers they might like to pursue in the future. If you’re a teenager looking for that first job, read on for a list of five great jobs for 15-year-olds.

1. Retail

Whether in a mall, a relative’s business or a big chain store, retail is a great way to learn how to work with people and handle money. Think creatively about where you’d be the best fit. An avid reader might do well in a bookstore, while the fashion-conscious might head to the nearest clothing store. Chances are, your town has plenty of jobs for 15-year-olds in its retail establishments. Finding a job in retail can be all about personal presentation and timing: create a resume, put on a professional outfit and hit the local stores asking about job opportunities. Many larger stores will have an online application process, but smaller businesses may take in-person applications.

2. Tutoring

If you have an aptitude for academics and enjoy working with people, tutoring might be a great fit for you. A high school-aged tutor might work with their peers or with elementary school students. From homework help to test prep, tutoring is a great way to earn a little extra money and build skills in teaching and working with others. Check to see if your school has a tutoring program or if any local after school programs are hiring homework help staff.

3. Lifeguarding

While it requires a bit more training than some of the other jobs for 15-year-olds, lifeguarding is a great option for a 15-year-old who wants to enter the workforce: typically, there is a higher demand for lifeguards in the summer, when working restrictions for teenagers are loosened. Lifeguards are in demand at public pools, gyms and water parks. Would-be lifeguards should look into taking a course to get their certification.

4. Food Service

5. Babysitting

Babysitting isn’t the gold standard for teenage jobs for nothing: babysitting is a great way to earn a bit of money while still having plenty of time to focus on school and extracurricular activities. Good babysitters are often found through word-of-mouth, so start asking your neighbors and family friends if they know of anyone who needs a babysitter. Consider taking a babysitting class and getting a pediatric first aid and CPR certification so the parents will know they are leaving their child in capable hands.

While there are restrictions on where and how a 15-year-old can work, there are still many opportunities for a teenager to find a summer or after-school job. When you’re first starting out, writing a resume or deciding what to wear to an interview can be tough–check out LiveCareer’s examples of resumes for high school students and articles on interview attire and get your summer job search underway.

Finding a new career is not easy, but it is often an essential move for many people. Regardless of the reasons why you are searching out a new professional, there are several elements of your transition that you must keep in mind if you are to make a successful change from one career to another.

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Look For A New Career That Includes Personal Interests

If you are finding a new career because you do not feel fulfilled by the career you have, then the worst thing you can do is move into another career that does not inspire you. Consider your personal hobbies and preferences when finding a new career and choose one that appeals to you on many levels.

Do Not Abandon Your Old Career Accomplishments

While they are still fresh in your mind, you need to catalog all of the major accomplishments you had from your previous career. When a hiring manager sees that you had a history of success in your past career, then finding a new career becomes easier.

Talk To Experts About Education

Too many people start the process of finding a new career by assuming that they just need to take a few classes and they will be all set. Take the time to really investigate your new career and let experts tell you what kind of educational background you will really need to be successful.

Get Your Family Involved

You will need your family’s support to make this transition successful, so encourage your family to get involved in helping to find you a new career. In many ways, allowing your family to have input in finding a new career makes the entire process easier on you.

Use LiveCareer’s Resources

LiveCareer has all of the professional resume and cover letter resources you will need to put your new resume together and embark on your new career.

If you plan on finding a new career in the welding industry, then find a welder you can spend the day with to see what the job is really like. The worst thing you can do is to take all of the classes and get a new job only to find that you do not like it.

Choose The Right Time To Make The Change

Finding a new career during the winter holidays can be tough because many of the people you need to talk to are out on vacation. If you want to make the transition to a new career, do it during a time of the year when you will have the best access to the resources you need.

Put The Bad Thoughts Behind You

Are you finding a new career because you were forced to due to a company closing or an injury? Put all of the negative feelings behind you and move forward with a positive mindset.

Gather Industry Contacts Along The Way

You can help the process of finding a new career by creating a network of professional contacts in your new career as you are in the training process. The people you meet in school and in the professional world that can give you help in your new career should all be part of your new professional network.

Stay Focused

You will not feel inspired to start finding a new career every day of the transition. But you need to find ways to stay focused and keep your eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel.

Use LiveCareer’s Resources

LiveCareer has all of the professional resume and cover letter resources you will need to put your new resume together and embark on your new career.

For many fields, breaking into the industry with no experience is seemingly impossible. If you know someone, sometimes you can get a job, but the reality is that finding high paying entry level jobs can be as challenging as the schooling you may have acquired to even be able to apply. These top ten jobs pay well and often times require no formal experience to land.

1. Security Guard

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics , where we got all these wage facts, says that security guards earned a median wage of $34,750 in 2012. Security guard jobs typically require only a high school education and operate across all industries, including gaming surveillance and private security.

2. Bill Collector

If you have a thick skin and tenacious attitude, consider being a bill collector. With high school being the only education requirement and the median wage over $15 per hour, bill collectors are needed across the country and have a faster than average job outlook.

3. Truck Driver

Seeing the country and earning money sound like a great career if you enjoy spending time behind the wheel. Heavy truck drivers earn an average of $38,200 per year and often have no experience requirements. You will need a commercial driver’s license, however, but this is sometimes paid for by the employer.

4. Human Resources Assistant

Human Resources assistants earn about as much as truck drivers, with the benefit of being able to work close to home. Great organizational skills and attention to detail are necessary for success in this job.

10. Freelancer

If you have a talent for photography, writing or art, consider going freelance and working for yourself. Wages vary greatly, but employed writers can earn a median wage of nearly $27 per hour.

Whether you are fresh out of high school or just graduating college, you can find high paying entry level jobs to match your skills and passion. Having no experience is not a barrier to success, but a chance to start fresh in an industry you love.

The roustabout position is considered the entry level oilfield position, and it pays about $36,000 per year. You must be willing to relocate and work hard, but this position leads to some of the highest paying jobs you can find with no education.

6. Railroad Workers

Railroads were the original connection across our country and they are still going strong today. Railroad workers earn over $50,000 per year and typically have great health benefits as well.

7. Police Officer

If your dream is to protect and serve, you can feel great about the fact that police officer jobs are one of the high paying entry level jobs, allowing you to pursue your passion without already having experience. The median wage of $28.23 per hour is quite respectable, too.

8. Customer Service Representative

Customer service representatives abound in all industries with ample room for promotion. With solid growth and a $14.70 average wage, customer service jobs are a great way to work with people.

9. Sales

As long as there are products to sell, there is great earning potential in the sales industry. Turn your knack for conversation into a very lucrative career, with wages ranging from $18,000 to around $90,000, with a lot of room in between.

10. Freelancer

If you have a talent for photography, writing or art, consider going freelance and working for yourself. Wages vary greatly, but employed writers can earn a median wage of nearly $27 per hour.

Whether you are fresh out of high school or just graduating college, you can find high paying entry level jobs to match your skills and passion. Having no experience is not a barrier to success, but a chance to start fresh in an industry you love.

A Skype interview is a great way to try out for a job without the hassle of traffic or cost of driving. It comes with its own type of etiquette, so you may be wondering what you need to do to prepare and have a successful interview. These Skype interview tips will help you make the most of the convenience of Skype without sacrificing the professional requirements of an interview.

1. Dress Up

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Pay attention to how you are dressed and not just what can be seen on the screen. How you dress does more than make you look good; it makes you feel good too, and that extra confidence is necessary for your interview.

2. Prepare the Room

Check the view on your webcam and make sure all personal belongings, clutter and dirt are cleaned up, leaving a professional backdrop for your interview. Also, check the lighting for glare on the screen and add more lights, preferably from the window or daylight lamps, before you get started.

3. Take Notes

If you have specific talking points, write them down. You might create a stack of 3×5 cue cards or a bulleted list to help you remember all of the things you want to make sure to say during your interview. This is one of the Skype interview tips that is unique to Internet interviews – it is difficult to check notes in an in-person interview.

4. Rehearse

Before the interview, rehearse your most important talking points. It may help to speak them out loud in front of the mirror so you can practice body language, posture and hitting the right tone of voice.

10. Close Other Programs

Make sure all other programs are closed to avoid potential interruptions or memory issues. Only keep open things you absolutely need during the Skype call.

Skype is a great way to interview and sure beats having to leave the house. By following these Skype interview tips, you can ensure your interview runs smoothly and that you give the best impression you can. Good luck!

During the interview, make sure all noise is eliminated. If you have small children, it is worth the investment to hire a babysitter or make sure they are securely entertained during your interview. Do your best to mask street noise and make sure windows are closed while you are interviewing.

6. Do a Technology Test Run

Get used to speaking at the right volume for Skype and make sure your headset and gear are ready, comfortable and in perfect working order. The last thing you want is to experience a major technical glitch in the middle of your winning speech.

7. Learn Attachments in Skype

Your employer might want more information. In Skype, this is easily accomplished by sending attachments right there in the program. Learn how to do this before your interview so you can be prepared. It helps to keep your important files in one central folder for easy access, too.

8. Look at the Camera

Practice looking at the camera, not at the screen. This seems counter intuitive since you want to make eye contact, but remember that your interviewer will see through the camera, so make eye contact with the camera instead.

9. Check Your Profile

Run through your Skype profile before you begin to make sure there is nothing embarrassing or unprofessional, including your profile picture. You can add back or change things after the interview if you need to.

10. Close Other Programs

Make sure all other programs are closed to avoid potential interruptions or memory issues. Only keep open things you absolutely need during the Skype call.

Skype is a great way to interview and sure beats having to leave the house. By following these Skype interview tips, you can ensure your interview runs smoothly and that you give the best impression you can. Good luck!

Having no experience does not necessarily mean you will have no opportunities. There are many no experience jobs that get you in the door and on your way to promotions, new opportunities and a lifelong career, particularly if you are a hard, dedicated worker. These top ten most popular no experience jobs are sure to give you ideas and help you find the career path that you dream of.

1. Delivery Driver

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Delivery drivers keep goods moving and are the backbone of supplies across the country. The best part is that many of these jobs require no special training. Commercial driver’s licenses are required for some, but not all.

2. Garbage Collector

Garbage collectors work consistent hours behind the wheel of a garbage truck, making their rounds to collect garbage from homes and businesses everywhere. This is a top no experience job in terms of stability.

3. Bartender

If you love working with people and making conversation, consider being a bartender. The hours are great for a night owl and you can expect a new experience every night on the job.

4. School Bus Driver

It takes a steady hand and cool head to be a school bus driver; your cargo is so precious and important, but the satisfaction of safely shuttling children to and from school makes for a great feeling at the end of the day.

10. Customer Service Representative

A thick skin and love for helping others are necessities for success as a customer service representative. With room to advance and steady work, call center and email customer service are great no experience jobs.

Even if you are just getting started in the job market, there are a wide variety of high quality jobs that can lead to greater opportunities or even a long term career. Set your expectations high and know that no experience jobs do not mean low paying, unpleasant jobs. The sky is the limit!

Few career choices reward the motivated more than being a real estate broker. Like all sales positions, you need to really know people and want to help them. Real estate can be a very lucrative business, making this an excellent choice for the highly ambitious individual.

6. Taxi Driver

Much like a bartender, a taxi driver gets to meet and know a wide variety of people, hearing interesting tales and getting insights into people’s lives. If you like driving and know your city well, you can be a taxi driver and have great earning potential when you factor in tips.

7. Library Technician

Have you always been a bookworm? Your career of choice may be in the library field. Library technicians spend their days surrounded by books and the sanctuary many bookworms know and love – the library.

8. Oilfield Worker

Oilfield workers are still in high demand in several locations across the country. If hard work and travel appeal to you, you can find high paying, rewarding work in the oilfields. It helps to know someone, but there are still many places you can show up and get hired at.

9. Satellite and Cable TV Installer

Americans love their entertainment and if you scout the local paper, chances are you have seen listings for satellite and cable TV installers. You get to travel and meet new people while working with technology.

10. Customer Service Representative

A thick skin and love for helping others are necessities for success as a customer service representative. With room to advance and steady work, call center and email customer service are great no experience jobs.

Even if you are just getting started in the job market, there are a wide variety of high quality jobs that can lead to greater opportunities or even a long term career. Set your expectations high and know that no experience jobs do not mean low paying, unpleasant jobs. The sky is the limit!

In 2012, the non-profit, non-partisan Partnership for Public Service estimated that between entry level government jobs and paid internships the federal government would be offering over 100,000 new positions over the following 12 months. These positions would be available all over the world in every skill and area. This is promising news for recent graduates, and college and high school students wondering about their prospects after graduation.

Government positions do tend to be more stable in even the most volatile job market and offer exceptional benefits and compensation. Of course, hiring managers don’t merely give an entry level government job away. They meticulously screen talent in search of candidates they believe will make a difference in their operations. The screening process can actually be more stringent than in the private sector. So every candidate has an obligation to present themselves to hiring managers as the company’s future.

If you do choose to apply for an entry level government job, here are a few tips for proving your worth, getting a hiring manager’s attention and the interview.

• When developing your resume, make sure that your qualifications target the specific position that you are looking at. Far too many candidates craft a generic resume and proceed to send it out to various enterprises hoping a hiring manager latches onto it. Meanwhile, too many hiring managers are seeing resumes from candidates who are obviously wrong for the position, and nothing is more frustrating than a candidate who isn’t paying attention. It’s critical to understand the position you are applying for and emphasizing why you’re perfect for that slot, even if it means tailoring your resume accordingly. In fact, your entry level government job resume should always be tailored to the position, altering phrases and keywords (see next tip) to fit the listing.

• Look for keywords and phrases that relate to the organization and position that highlight your talent. There is always going to be relevant keywords and phrases in the job listing itself. After you have identified them, use them in your resume and cover letter. You should offer information that demonstrates how these attributes apply to you. Focus on how to use keywords and phrases to detail your ability to get results and provide a high level of customer service.

• Government agencies are budget conscious in ways completely different from the private sector. If it’s applicable, make sure your resume leans in this direction. For an entry level government job, if you can demonstrate your talent to manage the bottom line you give yourself a competitive edge. If you managed a student organization, bullet list how you maintained the budget. Detail how you researched and recommended a department’s new Internet provider that helped cut expenses. Show how you kept deadlines for student events or helped in a community food program. These contributions can be important as a lot of government agencies use accomplishment records to evaluate candidates.

With potential thousands of entry level government jobs consistently available at any given moment, your strongest strategy is to know what you’re looking for and where you’d like to work. Consider your skill, education and talent, and what you have to offer. By narrowing the search and applying for positions that are uniquely for you, you significantly increase the chances you will get an entry level government job.

As much as we do not like to admit it, there can be those moments when we are bored at work. This can be especially true if you work a production job or any other kind of job that requires you to do similar tasks all day long. Being bored at work affects your productivity and can help you to feel like you are wasting your time. There are some ways to fight being bored at work that can actually help you to increase productivity and maybe even get you a raise.

Turn Your Production Goals Into A Contest

If your job is based on making so many phone calls per hour or putting together a certain amount of pieces each day, then turn those production numbers into goals that you want to beat each day. If your job is to make 20 phone calls in a hour, then work to make 25 in the upcoming hour and then try to beat that record before the day is out.

Once you create a string of personal production records to try and break, it can be easy to get caught up in besting your last number and become something that really increases your production. Not only will you no longer be bored at work, you may be working your way into a bonus, a raise or even a promotion.

Learn The Jobs Of Co-Workers

Many companies have programs that have employees cross-training with each other to learn their jobs in case one employee calls in sick or suddenly leaves the company. If your company does not have such a program, then find a way to shadow co-workers and learn their jobs. You will have to work your shadowing in with your regular work schedule, but your ability to do more jobs could earn you a shot at management.

Let Your Mind Wander

If you find that you are bored at work, then use that to your advantage to brainstorm on new ideas for your company and your personal life. You can use the notepad on your smartphone to take down notes on the ideas you come up with while you are waiting for something to happen at work. Instead of sitting there thinking of nothing, you could be brainstorming on the next big idea that moves you up in the company.

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Look For A New Job

Your boredom could be the result of a lack of career mobility at your company, or you are simply not being challenged any more. If management has nothing to offer you in the way of career movement, then it may be time to move on to a new challenge.

LiveCareer can help you with that move by giving you the resources you need to put together the ideal resume package. With help from LiveCareer, you can find your next career challenge and stop being bored at work.

Beginning the process to get your first job can be both exciting and intimidating. Whether you’re in high school looking for something part time or about to graduate from college and start a new life, you’re looking forward to that all-important taste of financial independence. But before any of that happens, you have to land the job.

The job market can be difficult to navigate, especially for the newcomer. Here are five tips that will help you find, apply, interview and — hopefully — get your first job.

1. Utilize your school’s counselor or career services office. These are invaluable resources for finding work, writing resumes and cover letters, and interview techniques. They have access to alumni and potential mentors. Their input could even include entry level job prospects. Ironically, while this may seem an obvious decision to make, one study revealed less than 30 percent of students actually do it.

2. Before you begin looking, determine what you’re looking for. Whether your goal is to work in fast food or at an ad agency, you need to determine the best type of situation for you and your lifestyle. Conduct a little research in the field that you’re interested in. Check potential opportunities against your talent and studies. While college students should have a greater idea of what they want, this is still a step that no candidate should overlook.

3. When you show up for the interview or even to acquire about employment, always go with a professional appearance. Avoid revealing and tight fitting clothes, sandals or open-toed shoes, excessive perfumes and makeup. Sit and stand straight, and avoid staring at your cell phone or tablet. Your goal is to show hiring managers you’re interested in the job, the company and ready to learn. To get your first job, give everyone the impression this is a priority, not something you’re doing at the moment.

4. Writing an effective resume takes a deft hand and candidates looking to get their first job are prone to make mistakes. They go overboard with fonts, dramatic formatting and colors. Often their goals aren’t clear and hiring managers find themselves reviewing an “any job” resume. Spend less time on how the resume looks, sticking with basic combination, chronological or functional forms. Focus more on making sure your content represents you at your best.

5. Join a professional development organization or group that’s related to your interested industry. There are finance clubs, junior architects and marketing associations, many to be found right on campus. These can be invaluable resources for networking with professionals and companies in a specific field. It can lead to internships, meetings and other connections. Take advantage of social media, using platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. But use new pages that highlight your job search, not ones filled with pictures of partying and vacation shots.

The best way to get that first job is to start thinking about a career that lets you achieve the lifestyle you desire over the long term. The more time you give yourself to search, the greater the chance you give yourself to get the job that you want. And be prepared for rejection. You are about to learn what looking for a job is all about, and quite a bit of it is finding out hiring managers aren’t always going to hire you.

Forty seems to be an age of change. Many people take stock of their lives and realize there are aspects that are not making them happy. Often, it is their career. You spend a great deal of time at work. It makes sense that you want it to be something personally satisfying and rewarding. However, you may feel that it’s too late to make a change at this stage of your life. Fortunately, you don’t need to feel stuck in a job you hate. There are ways you can transition into a new field. Follow these five tips to help you start a new career at 40, and you’ll be well on your way.

Consider Starting Your Own Business

One of the best ways to begin a new career at 40 or beyond is to start your own business. Take time to think about your skills, aptitudes and life circumstances to come up with some ideas that would work for you. Starting a new business of your own is a great option because your age truly doesn’t matter. You’re the boss. You won’t have to rely on anyone to hire you. It will take research, hard work and sacrifice. At this stage of the game, these things likely aren’t new to you. Learn all you can about entrepreneurship through research and with the help of organizations like the Small Business Association. There may even be financial assistance or classes specifically for those starting a new business midlife.

Don’t Forget Life Experience

If you do decide to look for a traditional job with an established company, the first thing you should keep in mind is that life experience counts for something. Don’t forget all the advantages you have that younger people do not. You’ve gained a work ethic, critical thinking skills and interpersonal relations, among others. You’ve got the work history behidn you to prove you are a professional.

Emphasize Your Strengths

At this stage of the game, you know yourself well and you’ve had time to develop your strengths. This is to your advantage when selling yourself for a new job prospect. Not only do you have a long list of areas in which you excel, you also have the examples to back it up. Don’t be afraid to brag a bit about your successes.

Obtain the Experience You Need

You’re well aware that no one gets hired without experience. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to get the experience you need to begin that new career. You can further your education through formal classes or simply through your own research. You can take a part-time job that will provide you with hands-on experience.You can even volunteer.

By midlife, you’ve made a lot of connections. Whether through past and current jobs, family or community involvement, you’ve likely cast a wide net of people you know. Now is the time to call on those people for help. Let them know you’re looking to get started in a new field. An introduction to someone in your desired career or an inside tip from your network could be what it takes to get your foot in the door to your dream job.

Starting a new career at 40 may seem intimidating, but it’s possible. Don’t sell yourself short. You actually have many advantages over the younger crowd.

It is safe to say that most people find a few hours a week where they would rather be anywhere else than work. But losing motivation at work can cost you money and it can also deny you opportunity. It is important that you do what you can to find motivation at work, especially on those days when motivation is not easy to find.

Build Your Resume

Sometimes it can be difficult to be motivated to work for your current employer, but you should always be motivated to improve your career. Each new project you are assigned and every step up you make at your current employer means another notch that can be put on your resume. When you build up an impressive resume, then that can be your ticket to finding a job that not only motivates you, but challenges you as well.

Keep Your Eyes On The Prize

What is your ultimate goal with your career? Are you looking to move into upper-management, or is an executive suite your destination? Each day that you take an unmotivated approach to your job is another day you stall your career and diminish your chances at reaching your goals.

In order to find motivation at work, you have to keep your eyes on the prize and keep your ultimate goals in mind. If you are in the process of achieving your goals, then work hard to leave behind a legacy that you can be proud of.

Keep Shooting For That Bigger Paycheck

Pay raises and promotions are not awarded to people who decide that they do not feel like working for a particular period of time. If you want to make more money and take on more responsibility at work, then you have to show your management team that you are always able to get the job done.

When you find motivation at work, it is impossible for those in positions of authority to ignore it. If you want to be seen as a management candidate or someone worthy of a raise, then you have to stay motivated and keep shooting for that bigger paycheck.

It is easy to stay unmotivated at work and take your job for granted, until you no longer have that job. If you are looking for motivation at work, then think about the fact that someone else would love to have your job. Even if you are entry level, there are still people trying to get their foot in the door who would love to switch places with you. If you want to keep that job, then you need to stay motivated.

Your Success Is Important To Others

It can sound like a cliche, but working hard to support your family is actually a strong motivator. When you are looking for motivation at work, try to imagine feeding your family without a paycheck. Now imagine how much better you could take care of your family if you worked harder and got a raise.

If you want to put together a great career that offers you plenty of motivation, then use the career building resources at LiveCareer. The experts at LiveCareer will show you how to put your accomplishments into a format that will keep your career moving ahead and keep you motivated.

One Baltimore career counselor is reportedly telling laid-off and unemployed workers that no matter what industries they’re from, they all have one thing in common.

You’re in the sales and marketing business right now, the Baltimore Sun quotes Stephen Gallison as telling about 50 job seekers at a recent workshop. The Sun reported that people who attend the Maryland Professional Outplacement Assistance Center’s JumpStart program in Columbia receive information on strategy, interviewing, networking, resume writing and more.

According to the report, Gallison said that 2,500 people sought his center’s services last year, and he expects to help twice as many this year because of the increasingly bad economy.

Some of the previously mentioned skills are more critical than ever in light of recent unemployment figures. For example, networking is an important way to find jobs that may not even be listed anywhere, while resume building skills are crucial for gaining the attention of hiring managers.

This week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 598,000 jobs were lost in January, the highest since 1974. Nationwide, 2.6 million workers have now been unemployed longer than 27 weeks, indicating the tough competition that job hunters must be prepared to face.

There are numerous reasons for changing careers. We won’t go into them here, but we know if you are not finding intrinsic value in your day-to-day job, you’re not alone.

The Right Fit

Consider for a moment that you can’t get excited about the prospects with your current employer. Before diving into the career pool, ask yourself a few questions. The answers will help determine if the start of a new career is in the cards.

• Are you unhappy with management?

• Are there too few opportunities for personal development?

• Are the wages too low and benefits package lacking?

• Are you not enjoying your work?

• Are you feeling under appreciated?

  Evaluate yourself and determine what would make going to work every day bring value to your life. Create a checklist about yourself, your talents, your education and professional experiences. Compare that list to opportunities that appeal to you. Another great option is to go to a site like LiveCareer. They have tests that can help you find a career that better suits your goals and tastes.

• Expect Resistance

  Hiring managers aren’t always on the look-out for candidates who have suddenly decided they want to do something different. That means you may not be able to rely on traditional channels for starting a new career. Turn to family members, former colleagues and associates, mentors, friends and other resources because hiring managers trust personal recommendations more than a resume.

• Be Patient

  The start of a new career can take time. Be prepared to take baby steps and not give up. Continue to hone your skills, perhaps in your current position. (Who knows? Maybe that could lead to your new career.) Stay motivated and positive. Even the tiniest lateral move will be worth it.

You cannot predict when a door may open. This is why you must always have your best foot forward when looking to start a new career.

Smaller-sized employers with a manageable resume pool will usually give each applicant a long, thoughtful and personal review. These employers file resume submissions as they arrive, then take a close look at each one as time permits.

But larger employers with global reach often face an avalanche of resumes for each open position, and they can’t typically afford to take this measured approach to the selection process.

Enter the application tracking system, a generic term for a broad group of software applications that help managers narrow the pool and keep imperfectly matched resumes (in other words, most of them) from slowing down a decision that needs to take place on a tight deadline. As described in this article by Jobscan , these systems are becoming common and popular among larger companies.

Application tracking systems aren’t “robots,” as candidates sometimes believe, and they don’t actually choose the candidate for the job. In any intelligently run company, human managers will still conduct interviews and make final decisions regarding candidate readiness.

But the benefits of an ATS system are clear:

1. They filter out resumes that are incomplete, inappropriate, sent by accident, or part of a spam campaign.
2. They identify resumes that contain keywords related to the position (managers can chose the keywords they use for a given search).
3. They save time, essentially providing a shortcut through the first stage of the section process, which is usually the longest and the most tedious.

ATS’s Are Your Friend

Candidates may be dismayed by the idea that their resumes are being rejected without ever being read. And in theory, that’s certainly a discouraging thought. But take heart, and recognize that instead of holding you back, the ATS can actually work to your advantage and push you to the front of a wide pool of competitors…if you’re truly a match for the job.

If the position is the right one for you, and you know how to navigate the system and nudge your credentials into the spotlight, the ATS can move you closer to victory, not push you away. And it can do so on an accelerated timeline, speeding you through a process that once took weeks (or even months).

How to Navigate an ATS

To make it safely out of the ATS holding pattern and gain a coveted position on the desktop of a human reader, keep these five tips in mind:

1. Draw keywords from the post.

Read the job post carefully. Then put yourself in the shoes of a manager and imagine the keywords you might use to pull your star candidate out of a large database. Consider this phrase: “We’re looking for a certified network management pro who can support our upcoming EPIC implementation.” If you see this in the job post, consider baiting your resume with keywords like “EPIC,” “network management,” and “certified network manager.”

2. Draw keywords from the company website.

The same rule applies to the company website. Visit the site and search for terms that might grab the attention of this specific employer.

3. Delete fluff and abstractions from your text.

Get rid of vague, empty phrases like “strong leadership,” “communication skills,” and “goal-focused.” Replace them with substantive, specific phrases, like “Fluent in Portuguese,” “CNC certification,” and “Master’s Degree in Public Health.”

4. Build your social profiles into your campaign.

Shape your LinkedIn profile around the same types of keywords you use in your resume. Some ATS’s automatically find and scan candidate profiles based on the candidate’s name, location, and other criteria. Your LinkedIn profile should contain your desired job title and your geographic location, at a minimum.

5. Be prepared for success.

When you finally reach a human reader, don’t ruin your chances in the final stretch with a resume that’s just a list of keywords. Finish strong by making sure your document is readable, interesting, fluid, compelling, and relevant.

Ten workers enter the job market on the same day. All 10 have lost their jobs due to company restructuring, and all 10 are looking for positions similar to or one level above the jobs they’ve left behind. They’re all adequately qualified, experienced, educated, and motivated.

A few months later, three of these candidates have found ideal new positions and are thriving. Two have settled and accepted less-than-perfect offers. And the remaining five are still submitting resumes, skimming job boards, leaning on their networks, and crossing their fingers. What do the first three have that the others don’t?

The answer is simple: smart habits. Here are some of the small details that separate these happy, employed workers from their struggling counterparts.

1. They’re Flexible

The three candidates who found jobs right away weren’t afraid to cast a wide net and step into unfamiliar corners of the professional world. They were willing to engage in any conversation with any new person, and they stayed open minded and curious. These were the job seekers that started the search thinking thoughts like these:

“I’ve always been in marketing, but that doesn’t mean I have to stay there. I could go into development, or even sales. I could even get into show business. Why not?”

“I just met this guy at this party, and he seems like a wild card, but I’ll ask him what he does all the same. I might learn something!”

2. They’re Confident

Successful job seekers know that career building is a game—and they have every right to put on a jersey and step out onto the field with everyone else. They don’t go on the defensive during interviews, they aren’t overly apologetic, and they’re proud of what they’ve accomplished and what they have to offer—even though they know plenty of other candidates can offer more. They have inner monologues that sound like this:

“I don’t have every single one of the 10 required credentials for this job, but I’ll submit my resume anyway. This seems like a great company to work for!”

3. They Take Breaks & Enjoy Unemployment From Time to Time

The job search is a full-time job in itself. But like any full-time job, it comes with lunch breaks and occasional evenings and weekends off. Smart job seekers recognize this, and they set healthy and productive limits.

“I’ve submitted five resumes today, and even though I’m not working yet, I need to get outside for some fresh air and maybe get a drink with a friend. I need to remember that there’s a world outside of myself, my search, and my worth as it’s measured by potential employers.”

4. They Set the Terms

Effective job seekers know themselves, they respect themselves, and they don’t accept positions that they know they don’t really want. If a salary offer is too low, it’s too low. Either the employers will raise it or the search will go on. If a certain job is outside of commuting range, or the employers won’t make reasonable accommodations, the deal is off. A better offer will be waiting right around the bend.

5. They Communicate Constantly with Their Families & Friends

Successful job seekers know that the job search involves serious life decisions, and no serious life decision happens in a vacuum. At all times, smart job seekers keep the larger context in mind. They stay open to outside perspectives and advice, and they keep their friends and family in the loop.

They also take advantage of professional tools and guidance instead of tackling every problem alone. Visit LiveCareer for resume editing help , templates, and layout tools that can keep your job search and your personal sanity on track.

You just graduated from college and you are excited to be on your first set of real interviews. The foundation for the rest of your professional life will be set based on the job you secure just out of school. You prepare for your interviews and then the first interviewer you meet asks why their company should hire you. At that point, you freeze up and you are not sure exactly what the interviewer wants to hear.

When you are trying to figure out how to answer “why should we hire you,” it is your cue to tell the interviewer one or two good reasons why you offer something no other candidate offers. Instead of freezing up when you are trying to determine how to answer “why should we hire you,” you should be prepared to dazzle the interviewer with your insight.

You Are Supposed To Talk Highly Of Yourself

One of the reasons that new job candidates get nervous when trying to determine how to answer “why should we hire you” is because they do not want their answer to sound arrogant. If you do not point out your best qualities and those qualities that make you qualified for the position, then who will?

An interviewer expects a candidate to speak highly of themselves and point out their best attributes. It is not arrogance in a job interview, it is answering the questions that will get you the job that you want.

Choose Two Reasons Why And Run Them Into One Statement

In order to learn how to answer “why should we hire you,” you need to remember that your answer should be no more than two sentences. This is one of the most common interview questions you will be asked, so you should have an answer already prepared to give that will impress the hiring manager.

Your answer to this question should consist of your best two attributes mixed into a single sentence. For example, an answer such as “because I have the technical background you are looking for and I am always expanding my educational background” works very well.

Practice Delivering Your Answer With Confidence

You should never go into any interview without being fully prepared and that means practicing the answers for the most common questions. Why should that company hire you? Well, you have the answer memorized and you can deliver it with the utmost confidence.

If you want to find the best set of resources for preparing your interview responses and putting together the ultimate resume, then use the resources found at LiveCareer. The experts at LiveCareer have created resume and cover letter templates that you can use to develop the perfect resume package. Once your perfect resume gets you interviews, you can use the interview preparation materials at LiveCareer to make sure that you maximize every minute of your interview experience.

Looking to boost the employment rate of professionals who have recently added a postsecondary degree to their resumes and to keep international students in the state, Michigan Mayor Rick Snyder has launched a new initiative to help employers connect with graduates and job-seekers.

The governor recently outlined the plan during a speech at Delta Community College in Saginaw, saying the expansion of the state’s website Mentor Michigan will also be a “one-stop-shop” for students and mid-career job seekers looking for internship and mentoring opportunities, according to the State News.

Synder told the news agency that the site will focus primarily on technology jobs , but another goal of the centralized data system is to encourage more companies to hire international students. He said the current federal immigration law makes it too difficult for educated foreign graduates to stay in the U.S.

That’s something that has some controversy – I’ll get some feedback – but it’s the right thing to do, Snyder added. “We have a federal environment that says ‘Now we’ve educated you, you have to leave.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals with an advanced postsecondary degree on their resume can earn $1,000 more per week than those with some or no college education.

While internships provide employers with cheap labor and recruitment opportunities, the benefits to students and young professionals are equally valuable. These early-career job prospects allow the student to gain experience in their field of study, determine whether their industry is worth pursuing, or creating a network of contacts to be used at a later date.

Whether the young worker is chasing a career in law, medicine, business or the arts, the impact multiple internships have on a student’s resume seems to be there greatest benefit of all. For this reason, the latest trends indicate that students are voluntarily completing multiple internships as they study, the Deccan Herald reports.

Law school student Sherill Pal explained, “An undergraduate degree in law does not call for one to compulsorily take up an internship. However, interning during the summer break is like an unwritten law.” Pal continued, “Considering law has many branches, interning at various firms helps one decide on the line of specialization.”

According to the Michigan State Collegiate Employment Research Institute, about three-fourths of all college students have had internship experience by the time the graduate. Experts estimate that this number has risen 40 percent in the last 25 years.

A person who is unhappy with their job may find through a satisfaction test that it is time to embark on a new career path. However, it can be intimidating to enter the job hunt amidst a slow economy. Career expert and author Carrell Chadwell says there are a few tips individuals can take into consideration to market themselves successfully to employers.

When applying for a new job, keeping an open mind and accepting the possibility of working in a different position can be helpful. An applicant’s skill set may be suited for more than one position. Accepting the opportunity to work in a new part of the industry can be a refreshing, rewarding opportunity, according to Dallas Business News.

Accepting the possibility of relocating is another way individuals can effectively market themselves during the job hunt. Some areas of the country are suffering from high unemployment rates, while others are thriving with new business opportunities. Relocating may be an ideal way to land a high-salary job.

The unemployment rate reached 9.8% in November, according to the Department of Labor. Individuals who are open to change and new possibilities may have the best chance of entering a new career.

Positive, convincing references and glowing recommendation letters can lend powerful support to any application package. But there is a reason why these supplemental materials do so much for us: they don’t come easily. A truly valuable recommendation letter is an unbiased testimonial that comes from the heart, and it starts on the first day of our relationship with the person recommending us. The best way to ensure that others speak well of us is to start every professional encounter off on the right foot, and to move through life making an active effort to be a likable and impressive person.

But no one is perfect. And sometimes we don’t realize that we need a recommendation letter from someone until our professional relationship with that person is years underway. Utterly magnetic, socially savvy superstars who make waves everywhere they go will have no trouble getting others to speak well of them. But what about the rest of us? How can we convince our contacts to recognize our best qualities and share those qualities with hiring managers and admissions committees?

References

A reference is a little easier to obtain than a recommendation letter, but it still takes some thought and investment. And of course, great references require foresight. Throughout your working life, stop and think before you make any decision that impacts someone else. Develop the habit of factoring the long term into each of these decisions and opportunities.

1. Be nice. Be calm, outgoing, and generous. Give credit away. Protect others from blame they don’t deserve. When it comes to doing the right thing, be fearless. This means when you get angry, express your anger up the chain of command, not down. If you have to yell or gripe, direct this energy toward your boss, not your underlings. Inspire trust and respect.
2. Ask. Be direct. Simply say, “I’m submitting an application for (insert your opportunity). Would you mind if I provided your name and number as a reference?” Chances are you’ll get an enthusiastic yes. If your reference hesitates, consider supplying another name instead.
3. Know that if you don’t give your former employer permission to speak about you, he or she will only be able to share your dates of employment and your job title. If you grant permission to provide more detail, do so clearly and in writing.

Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters may require a little more effort and time on the part of your recommender. So as you gather these letters, you’ll need to demonstrate respect and pay close attention to the rules of etiquette.

1. Be bold. Many students hesitate to ask a professor for a letter of recommendation because the relationship wasn’t exactly a close friendship. That’s okay, because professors are used to receiving these requests even from students they hardly know. Limit your requests to the instructors who know you best, but don’t be shy about asking for what you need.
2. Give plenty of lead time. Never ask for a recommendation letter less than a week before you need it.
3. When requesting a letter from a former boss, make things easier by offering to write the letter yourself and having him or her read and sign it. In some cases, the recommender will need to submit the letter to the institution instead of handing it over to you. Make sure she has everything she needs to do this, including the address and the recipient’s full name.
4. For both bosses and professors, provide–even if they don’t ask–a bulleted list of your most important accomplishments and responsibilities for them to use a guideline while writing. (They can’t be expected to remember everything you contributed while in class on or the job.)
5. Thank each recommender with a warm email, and then send each one a handwritten thank-you card. Do this immediately after the recommendation letters are written.
6. If you’d like someone to provide a testimonial for you to post on LinkedIn or on your blog, ask clearly for what you need, and send the person a link to the reference after it’s posted. As always, be generous with your thanks.

The economy and the job market are both starting to bounce back – companies are now hiring and the unemployment rate is slowly dropping. However, competition is fierce as the new jobs are becoming available and hiring managers are having to sift through hundreds of resumes. However, some characteristics will set you apart from other applicants.

According to U.S. News, there are a couple things that hiring managers wished they could tell applicants, and the main sentiment among the hiring managers was the ability to show an initiative and be honest will get you far.

We want to you to ask questions, wrote Allison Greene, a hiring manager, for the news source, “Your interviewer wants to know that you’re interested in the details of the job, the department, your prospective supervisor’s management style, and the culture of the organization. Otherwise, you risk signaling that you are either not that interested or just haven’t thought very much about it.”

Other things that hiring managers are looking out for are honesty, strong cover letter and resume, work ethic and recommendations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in May dropped from 9.9% to 9.7%, adding 431,000 to the work force.

Getting a first job is one of those life events that people remember for the rest of their lives. Most people look back fondly on that first experience and can recount the details in fond reminiscence. If you are getting ready to find your first job, this list of top five jobs for 14 year olds will get you started down the right path.

1. Babysitting

Create My Resume

Perhaps the easiest job to get into, babysitting is a great way to earn extra cash. Depending on your schedule, you can find babysitting jobs from just a couple hours per week or as many hours as your schedule permits. You can turn your love for kids into a rewarding job that earns you a little extra cash. The best way to apply for babysitting jobs is to talk to friends and family; almost everyone knows someone who needs a babysitter.

2. Landscaping

Do you like working outside? You can start your own landscaping business, mowing yards, pruning shrubs and doing general landscaping for busy homeowners and even some businesses. This is one of the greatest jobs for 14 year olds who like the outdoors. To get started, go through your neighborhood and ask around. It is easiest to work within walking distance of your home so you do not have to get a ride for you and your tools.

3. General Labor

If you have the skills to fix or build things, or you like helping others with their chores, consider finding a job doing general labor. Post your services on Craigslist or in a local community group on Facebook. It helps to have a clear idea of what you can and cannot do so you can list the services you will provide. This helps people looking for particular services, such as lawn mowing, general repairs and moving help to find you in the list of other people offering services.

4. Pet or House Sitting

For people with pets, going on vacation is a real challenge. If you can step in to offer pet sitting services, you will be highly sought after. Traditional boarding services can be stressful for animals, not to mention costly. By offering to stay in the pet’s home to provide food, exercise and company, you will take the stress out of vacationing. Networking with people you know is the best way to find these types of jobs. If you do well, your clients will be more than happy to recommend you to their friends as well.

If you are web or technical savvy and have computer skills that can help others, consider starting your own computer services business. These services might include:

• Web design

• Graphic design

• Article writing

• Video creation

• Business web marketing

• Spreadsheet and document creation

If it can be done on a computer, you can probably make money from it. Advertise locally and online to start getting clients.

These top jobs for 14 year olds allow you to use your skills, experience and passion to find work that you will not only enjoy, but also profit from. Make the most of the people you know so they can help you spread the word. Your network of friends and family are the best way to get work. With a little creativity and some word of mouth advertising, you can be on your way to making money while doing what you love.

Times are tough, and the specter of job loss haunts even the most capable worker. If the axe does fall and you lose your job, don’t minimize it – accept that it is a huge loss. Then tell everyone you are out of work and start planning to move forward.

In an article on cabinet.com, Susan Henry, a career counselor in Atkinson, New Hampshire, tells job seekers to treat a job loss like a death and go through the stages of grief – denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and acceptance. Once you’ve acknowledged your grief, it is time to come up with a plan for the future.

Sit down with your spouse with a bottle of wine and talk about where you’d like to be in five years, she advised. Take that time to decide what you really want to do and research how to get there.

One important piece of advice Henry gives out is to tell people that you are unemployed and looking for work. Many career counselors stress the importance of networking, both online and face to face, in landing a job. Make getting the word out part of your plan to succeed.

This week, the LiveCareer team answers a few questions we’ve received from older job seekers who are working their way through the resume and job search process.

Question #1: Out of the Game

“I’ve been laid off at the age of 57, and I haven’t actually submitted a resume or searched for a job in almost 20 years. I’m rusty, but I’m also a little confused about the way this process has changed over the years. For example, I get the strange feeling that my extensive experience and my skill sets are actually considered a detriment to potential employers, not an asset. Can this be true? If it is, then what have I been working and struggling to build all these years?”

Answer

It’s true that many employers have different goals in mind than they did during previous generations. Where job offers where once generically merit-focused (the job went to the “best” candidate, period), the process is now considered more of a straightforward business transaction. Employees are not expected to stay with a given company for very long, so employers are looking for the most cost effective exchange of labor for salary over the short term. “Overqualified” candidates are often considered expensive (and sometimes threatening). Expect to encounter this attitude during your job search and work around it by making a few points clear:

1. If hired, you plan to take the job seriously and stay as long as you can.
2. You actually want this job. As in, THIS job. For THIS specific company.
3. Your salary may be high, but your employers will be getting their money’s worth, and you’re ready to explain how.
4. If you’re hired, you’ll accept the status quo, you’ll accept your position in the hierarchy, and you won’t try to take over once you get in the door. (Employers often fear a candidate who may be older or more skilled than they are, and who may correct them in front of others, edge them out of their jobs, or advocate for unwelcome change.)

Question #2: Getting What You Deserve

“I know that as an older candidate, I have qualifications that may intimidate potential employers. I have no plans to sell myself short on my resume, and I have no plans to accept a lower salary than I deserve. But how can I stick to these principles while also making my resume less threatening?”

Answer

Unfortunately, you may have to show some flexibility on either one of those two points if you hope to land a job quickly. Keep these considerations in mind:

1. You don’t want to accept a slightly lower salary , but how much money are you losing with each month that you remain jobless? Factor this into the equation and remember that a job offer is not a life sentence: You can accept a lower salary for a position you don’t intend to keep for very long.
2. You’re proud of your professional growth and your lifetime accomplishments, but keep in mind that pride and a brittle ego can sometimes hold us back. If you need to take your PhD off of your resume in order to land a job, just take it off. You still get to keep your hard-earned degree; you just need to recognize that in this case, these three letters on your resume aren’t helping you.

Use Your Resume to Land a Job at Any Age

Don’t let you age stand in the way of your search. Visit LiveCareer for more resume tips that can help you land a job at any stage of your career.

It may sound strange, but working for free can sometimes lead to a paying job. Since finding a job is taking longer than expected, experienced, mid-career level job seekers are willing to provide their expertise–gratis–to fill a gap, learn new skills and land a permanent position.

Working for an organization pro bono is a great way to get your foot in the door. There are also other benefits. Staying engaged in work, albeit unpaid, while searching for a permanent position helps job seekers feel empowered and productive. Furthermore, what better place to be than rubbing elbows with people in your target industry?

Many companies these days use these modern-day “internships” as a way to help them hire better, more reliable staff. According to a recent survey conducted by LinkedIn, listing volunteer positions on your resume will help get you a job.

LinkedIn polled nearly 2,000 U.S. professionals and found that 41% said that when they are evaluating candidates, they consider volunteer work just as much as paid work. Of the hiring managers surveyed, 20% said they gave a job based on a candidate’s volunteer work experience.

Here are a few interesting facts about volunteering:

• According to research firm Universum Communications, studies show employees who start out as interns before coming on board full-time have higher retention rates.

• A recent study from BusinessWeek shows nearly 1 in 3 entry-level hires at the companies surveyed once worked as interns for their employer.

• A 2011 survey of the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows the overall conversion rate for interns increased from 53.3% last year to 57.7% this year.

• Recent statistics from UrbanIntern.com report that 34% of employers plan to hire contract workers and temporary staff in 2011, and 39% of these employers plan to transition contract or temporary staff into full time hires.

It’s a known fact that job gaps can hurt your chances of landing a job, so taking on volunteer work will fill that gap and increase your market value, showing hiring managers that you took the initiative to keep your skills relevant. In this case, a little sacrifice can lead to a huge pay off and you may even land a job! Here’s some advice on how to find an internship:

1. Take it seriously. The competition for an internship is similar to that of a permanent job because the experience and education requirements are usually lower. Therefore, mid-career professionals need to be serious when it comes to securing an internship. The key aspect to focus on is treating volunteer work-search the same way as any job search. That means customize your resume, include a detailed cover letter and highlight how your expertise can benefit the company. Once hired, take it seriously. Your supervisor may be the reference that will help you land your next job.

2. Try an innovative approach. If the company you want to volunteer for doesn’t have any open listings for jobs or interns, create your own opportunity. Try getting in touch with the human resource department or target the contact email on job postings and offer to consult pro bono. Budget cuts affect all organizations, so they might be really grateful to hear from you and learn what you can do for them—for free!

3. Reach out to your network. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70% of jobs are found through networking. Use word of mouth, contact old colleagues and take advantage of social media sites to tell everyone that you are looking for a pro bono consulting opportunity and ask if they can help. Since the screening process for temporary employees is much less formal than permanent positions, a great reference can put you ahead of other candidates alone.

It’s fast and easy to add your volunteer or consulting work to your resume with Resume Builder. Try it free today.

Looking for a job can be a challenging task, especially when you’re not sure of what some of the terms used in ads and online job posting really mean. The term “entry level” is often found in many job postings, but what is the definition of entry level and what can you expect from a typical entry level job?

What Is the Definition of Entry Level?

In general, an entry level job requires very little knowledge of the particular position and no relevant skills. Entry level jobs tend to be aimed at college students either seeking part-time employment while still in school or looking for their first job post graduation. The majority of entry level jobs are low-paying positions, often with a high turnover rate, especially for job seekers looking to use an entry level job as a means of gaining work-related experience to qualify for more advanced positions requiring previous experience.

Can Entry Level Jobs Launch a Rewarding Career?

The fact is that most entry level jobs targeted towards college graduates tend to be full-time permanent positions. While some entry level positions certainly aren’t meant to be lifelong careers, some employers are actively seeking candidates who are willing to work their way up within a company. In this instance, an entry level job is meant to serve as a stepping stone as experience is acquired.

Do I Need a Resume for an Entry Level Job?

The short answer is absolutely, if only due to the fact that each employer can have a different interpretation of what they consider an entry level position. For instance, a company may consider internships, specific coursework and even volunteer work and community involvement as “experience” they prefer candidates to possess. A resume for an entry level position should emphasize education, especially any recently earned degrees or certifications.

How Can I Tell If I’m Qualified to Apply?

Some employers tend to have unrealistic expectations and may state requirements for what they consider an entry level position that an applicant may not currently have, often unintentionally discouraging some interested candidates from even applying. In many cases like this, an employer is willing to consider applicants not meeting these preferred requirements, especially if presented with a well written resume highlighting desirable traits and educational achievements.

While some people associate entry level jobs with fast food or retail positions, the definition of entry level only means that it’s a position that doesn’t require any significant experience to be considered for the job. Just about all major fields, ranging from agriculture to the visual and performing arts, have positions that are considered entry level. If you’re not sure if a position really qualifies as entry level, don’t hesitate to ask a few questions or do a little homework before submitting your resume.

Most entry level jobs are meant for college graduates with little or no work experience. However, the definition of entry level doesn’t specifically imply that anyone interested in such a position can’t apply if they meet the basic requirements. Regardless of whether or not a job is classified as “entry level” or not, it’s still necessary to dig a little deeper and read between the lines to determine what a potential employer really has in mind when seeking entry level employees.

In today’s tough economy, you may wonder how you can get any job at all, much less the job you really want. The truth is: if the job you want exists, there’s a way to land it. You just have to think long term. Here are seven ways to get the job you want.

1. Be the Person Your Dream Employer Wants to Hire

Instead of just thinking about the job you want, think about the person—the exact candidate—that the employer wants to hire. Then, take steps to become that person. If you need a college degree, earn one. If you need work experience, get it. If you need certain character traits, develop them. Don’t just find the right job for you, be the right person for the job.

2. Work Your Way Up

Just because you didn’t get hired for your dream job today doesn’t mean that the job can never be yours. Look for a lower position within the same company or a related position at a different company. Then you can gain the additional experience you need to work your way up to your dream job. Oftentimes, companies will give first hiring preference to people that are already employed at their company.

3. Make Connections

Getting hired is not just a matter of being qualified for the job; sometimes you have to know the right people. Increase your visibility by making connections with other people in your field. You can do this by attending events and conferences, volunteering, and joining professional organizations. Join sites such as LinkedIn , where you will want to completely fill out your profile and network with other professionals in your field.

4. Polish Your Resume

While your resume might not earn you a job by itself, not having an excellent resume can certainly prevent you from getting one. Interviewers who have hundreds of resumes to look through often look for reasons to throw them out to narrow down the list. If your resume has errors, missing information, or is full of irrelevant information, it will likely go straight to the recycle bin.

5. Nail Your Interview

If you are lucky enough to get an interview, it’s essential that you leave a positive, memorable impression. Arrive early, dress appropriately, bring an extra copy of your resume, and don’t be afraid to sell yourself (without coming across as desperate). Practice common interview questions and research the company thoroughly ahead of time so you can always give an intelligent answer.

6. Don’t Burn Bridges

When an employer is considering hiring you for a job, he or she will almost always call your former employers to see what type of employee you are. Therefore, it’s essential that you always do your best no matter what job you have. Even if you’re only working at a temporary job, work hard as though you were working at your dream job. This will help your employer notice you and give you a positive review when a new employer calls.

7. Search Far & Wide

While you can find several jobs on online job search sites and in the newspaper, not all jobs are advertised so conspicuously. Check individual company webpages. Look in the newspaper for stories about company expansions. Contact employers who you think might be looking to hire in the near future. Use your connections to learn about new job leads. You can even post updates on your personal Facebook page letting people know you are job searching. One of your friends or family members might have a lead.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If you’re tired of searching and searching and coming up with no leads, be sure to try one of LiveCareer’s award-winning career tools. With LiveCareer’s resources and these six tips, you’re sure to get your dream job in no time.