With more and more people finding themselves out of work, competition to find new employment is often fiercer than ever. For people actively job hunting and wondering how to give their job hunt an edge, we’ve collected a few easy tips to help you on the way to finding a new job:

• 1. Make your resume short and succinct – Really try to keep to a one page resume if you have 10 years of experience or less. With a career spanning over the decade, it’s OK to have two pages. Keeping your resume compact makes it easier for the person reading it to find out how great you are that little bit faster. Chronological resumes are still the easiest way to show your career path and development over time. These may not be the most “creative” method of showing off, but they get the job done.




• 2. Create and update a professional networking profile – In the ‘digital’ age, social and professional networking sites can be some of the most crucial tools for job seekers. Keep in mind, around 80% of candidates will find their next position through their existing network, rather than via an advertisement or recruiter. It can really be about who you know, not just what you know. Just as important as creating a social or professional networking profile is keeping them up to date. Remind yourself to login to LinkedIn to keep contact details, skills and experiences current.




• 3. Market yourself! – With so many people hunting for a job, standing out from the crowd and developing your own personal brand is increasingly important. Creating memorable, unique business cards or other printed products that you can hand out at networking events, is a great way to get noticed. Ellen Hathaway from San Fransisco based recruiting firm Exceptional People says “While much of our networking these days happens online, the connections you make in the real world still carry the most weight. Don’t waste an opportunity by not being able to provide contact details so people can easily follow up and remember you”. When choosing a business card design, pick something that truly showcases your business – don’t miss this chance to stand out and be noticed.




• 4. Build your own recruitment team – Create a list of recruiters, mentors, information experts and even career coaches that you know, and feel comfortable working with. Make these people your “job search team” and communicate with them on a regular basis. Enlist a team of friends, and business connections to assist with your job search (whether formally or informally) to easily extend the reach of your personal network.

If you feel your cards aren’t fulfilling their potential, or serving as a valuable business tool in your pocket, get your business cards redesigned by the experts from moo.com.