Finding a job that interests you is difficult. Applying for a job is time-consuming. Interviews are nerve-racking. And keeping the job while learning the demands of the position is overwhelming. 
You may find yourself stressed and riddled with questions about searching for a job. How many references should I have? Should I list the job that I had for only a few months and then quit? What should I disclose to the interviewer about myself? Are they going to call me back?  Should I call them? Will I enjoy this job? The hiring process should not be entered into lightly. If you seriously want a job, then you should prepare for the process seriously. In this article, you will find advice that I have taken from my experience over the past year as a human resources assistant and tips I have gathered from my boss, the human resources director of a multimillion-dollar hat company Top of the World, to help you figure out what businesses are really looking for. 
Things you will need: ResumeBusiness casual outfit Positive attitude Smile 
1. Don’t settle for just any job. Close your eyes and imagine this scenario: You’re browsing through the classifieds and you find a position you might be interested in. You have a great resume, you nail the interview, and you get the job. However, it’s your least favorite job in your field and you’re overwhelmed. You can’t stand it so much that you get burnt out and your quality of work begins to decline. You’re fired for your poor workmanship. Now you have to start all over, and you are not going to get a reference. You knew what the job entailed before you applied and you knew it wasn’t your thing, but you thought you could deal with it. If you don’t think that you will be able to enjoy the position, don’t apply! 
2. The little things do count in resume writing. So, you have found a few positions you are interested in and you’re ready to send in your resume. Before you rush to the ink press to print your masterpiece on some pretty powder-blue perfumed paper, make sure you aren’t an offender of the following resume faux pas: 
Don’t print your resume on pretty powder-blue perfumed paper. In fact, you don’t need paper at all. Most companies today accept all their resume submissions online so that looking over your resume is simple, and it can be easily forwarded to the appropriate supervisor. If the job you are applying for does require a paper copy, there is still no need for any fancy embellishments. Keep it simple and earth-friendly. 
Don’t use crazy fonts. Fonts with lots of curly cues only make things more difficult for the person reading your resume. 
Introduce yourself on paper. Write a short “Objective” or “Introduction” paragraph. This is where you get to gush, but not too much. Keep it concise and to the point. Tell the reader about your interests and passions. 
You didn’t finish college? Put the college education that you do have on your resume anyway. No one is judging. There are many different reasons people don’t finish college, but that doesn’t make it any less important. 
Your mom is not a reference. Do you know many moms who would tell their child’s future employer, “Her employment was terminated from her last job due to poor work performance?” Okay, maybe a few moms would be brutally honest, but even so, Mom is never an appropriate reference. Friends and other family members aren’t appropriate references either. References should include community leaders, business professionals, and colleagues. 
Don’t list your junior high email address under your contact info. An employer is going to laugh at you if your email is ilovehotguys@yahoo.com. Come up with something simple, such as a variation of your name, to use as an email address. 
So you’ve had ten different jobs since high school. Don’t list them all. List the ones that you had for the longest and displayed the best work performance. A five-page list of former jobs will scare employers away, because it looks like you either can’t commit or have been let go many times. If a future employer is interested in hiring you they will call your former employers. What former employers say about you could be the difference in getting the job or getting your resume trashed. 
3. Make an impression. You submitted a resume, now what? Wait a week or two, and then call to follow up. Persistence pays off. A few months ago I was listening to a speaker talk about his experiences with finding a job as a professional writer. After calling several times, he emailed the employer a humorous list of the things he would do to get the job. The employer was so intrigued by his persistence that he hired him. 
4. Be Genuine. You were persistent and got a call back for an interview. You’ve reached the home stretch. You’re probably nervous. Embrace your nervousness, but don’t let it make you a deer-in-the-headlights in front of the interviewer. The employer knows you are nervous, and at one point they were in your position. Have you ever heard, “It doesn’t matter how intimidating someone seems? We all put our pants on the same way: one leg at a time.” As long as you are genuine and show your interest in the position, there is nothing to fear. Be willing to admit your faults if you are asked a question on what you could improve on. Everyone has imperfections, and it is okay to show your human side. This also shows a willingness to grow as a professional and an individual. 
5. Pace yourself. So you got the job, and you love it, but now you’re overeager. One mistake new hires make is taking on too much at the beginning of their new job. Just like a relationship, there is a honeymoon phase when an employee is hired. The first ninety-days are when a newbie is at their best. After that, things start to go downhill. This isn’t to say that no employee is valuable after the first ninety days-they certainly are, unless they are already burnt out on the new position. But take it slow. Get to know the people you will be working with and learn by observing them.   
6. Be competitive (in a good way). Whatever you decide to do with your career, be the best you can be. If you are a salesperson, strive to have the most sales. Whatever your position, make it your own. Once you have your dream job, don’t forget to keep an open mind as your experience progresses. All workplace positions are constantly evolving, so you can never learn it all. Look for ways to improve, ask to take on new projects that you know you can handle, take training courses and read material that will help you grow as a professional. If you commit to being your best self, your professional experience will only get better.