Mahalo's guide on how to get a job will provide an introduction and walk you through the key aspects of finding a career, from job searching to effective job interviewing.

Remember that you may have better chances at getting a job that you feel confident about doing or that your are qualified to do. These factors aren't mutually exclusive, but sometimes you can just "feel" that you'd be able to do a job, rather then actually having previous qualifications. Interviewers vary and look for different qualities in potential employees, so be sure to study their actions carefully.http://www.howtogetajob.org/

Getting a job can be a daunting task and may become discouraging if prospective employers aren't responding to your inquiries. However, when applied, the strategies detailed below can improve your chances for success in every aspect of the job search. It may take some time, but vigilance and perseverance can improve your chances of finding and landing the job that's right for you.http://www.howtogetajob.org/

Looking for a job can be overwhelming, but you can improve your chances of finding job opportunities by networking and by visiting online job sites and career centers. The important thing is to keep looking and not get discouraged.

Job Searching Tips:

1. Pick up a copy of your local newspaper and browse the Help Wanted ads, or do so online
2. Network: Let everyone in your social circle know that you are on the hunt for a job.http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/networking/Networking_Where_to_Cast_Your_Net__2003327-1011.html?subtopic=Networking+Tips
3. Regularly visit job sites such as Monster.com, Yahoo! Hot Jobs and CareerBuilder.com. Not only can you search for jobs, but you can also upload your resume so it is available to prospective employers.
4. Consider joining a professional organization related to your industry.http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/networking/Networking_Where_to_Cast_Your_Net__2003327-1011.html?subtopic=Networking+Tips
5. Seek out and visit career centers in your community.
6. Visit job and career fairs in your area.http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-159-Getting-Hired-Come-to-the-Fair-Prepared/?ArticleID=159&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=7fe5be627ddc417aafcd32c3b68ee6b1-297712450-J2-5

The most important tool in your job search is your resume—it is your way of introducing yourself and making that all-important first impression on your prospective employer.http://www.howtogetajob.org/ Your resume and the impression it leaves on the person reading it will determine whether you will move on to the next step in the hiring process—the interview.

Resume Writing Tips:

1. Before you begin, consider looking at other resumes to get ideas. Online job sites such as Monster.com have collections of sample resumes.http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Resume-Samples/jobs.aspx
2. Study the job description or advertisement and try to incorporate the same keywords into your resume.http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-1060-Cover-Letters-and-Resumes-How-to-Write-a-Winning-R%C3%A9sum%C3%A9/?ArticleID=1060&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=44b41dd5a2834c02a948b464463c1a92-298413473-wp-6
3. Don't just list experience and skills; detail how your skills and experience are applicable to the job you are applying for and how you will benefit your prospective employer.http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/resume/How_to_Write_a_Resume_That_Gets_Interviews__2004524-1238.html?subtopic=Resume+Basics
4. Avoid using buzzwords, jargon and vague language.http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/resume/Words_That_Weaken_Your_Resume__20031021-1652.html?subtopic=Resume+Basics
5. Be truthful! Although it is tempting to lie or exaggerate on your resume, if will be embarrassing and damaging if your future employer discovers your deceit.http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-1325-Cover-Letters-Resumes-Six-Serious-R%C3%A9sum%C3%A9-Blunders/?sc_extcmp=JS_1325_advice&SiteId=cbmsn41325&catid=CL
6. Ensure that your resume is attractive and easy to read. Don't overdo it with different fonts, italics or underlining, use bulleted lists to make it easy to scan, and use white space to break up large blocks of text.http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Resume-Writing-Tips/Resume-Look-Important-as-Content/article.aspx
7. Try to limit your resume length to one or two pages by including only key information.http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-1060-Cover-Letters-and-Resumes-How-to-Write-a-Winning-R%C3%A9sum%C3%A9/
8. Proofread carefully before calling the resume finished. Even one spelling or grammatical error can stand out and reduce your credibility. Ask a friend or family member to read over your resume to ensure it reads well and lacks errors.http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/resume/How_to_Write_a_Resume_That_Gets_Interviews__2004524-1238.html?subtopic=Resume+Basics

For a more detailed description of the different types of resumes, when to use them and how to create them, see Mahalo's guide on How to Write a Resume.

A cover letter is a complement to your resume—an opportunity to further highlight your skills, show enthusiasm about the job for which you are applying and demonstrate your communication skills. Although some may argue that the cover letter is superfluous, research shows that the majority of executives believe that it is an important part of the job application process. Unless the job advertisement specifically states otherwise, it is best to be safe and include a cover letter with your resume.http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-1047-Cover-Letters-and-Resumes-When-You-Need-a-Cover-Letter-And-When-You-Dont/

Cover Letter Writing Tips:

1. As you did when creating your resume, study the job description and highlight skills and experience that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
2. Format your cover letter as a professional business letter.http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Cover-Letter-Tips/Avoid-7-Killer-Cover-Letter-Mistakes/article.aspx
3. Minimize your use of the word "I." Although the cover letter is about you, it should not be autobiographical, but should emphasize how your skills will benefit your potential employer.http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Cover-Letter-Tips/10-Cover-Letter-Donts/article.aspx
4. Be polite: Thank the reader for his or her consideration in your closing.http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Cover-Letter-Tips/10-Cover-Letter-Donts/article.aspx
5. Don't simply repeat the information in your resume—go into greater detail about how your skills will benefit the company. You can also provide a brief anecdote about how you effectively solved a problem or benefited a past employer.http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/resume/Five_Common_Cover_Letter_Mistakes__2003228-1318.html?subtopic=Cover+Letters
6. Do not allow the length to exceed one page.http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Cover-Letter-Tips/Avoid-7-Killer-Cover-Letter-Mistakes/article.aspx
7. Proofread your letter for typos and ask someone else to do the same.http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/resume/Do_Cover_Letters_Really_Matter__20021115-1038.html?subtopic=Cover+Letters

For more information on cover letters and thorough instructions on how to write a great cover letter, see Mahalo's guide on How to Write a Cover Letter.

Once you've impressed your prospective employer with a well-written cover letter and resume, the next step in landing yourself a job is the interview. Although interviews can be nerve-racking, you can ease your stress level by being well prepared for your interview.

Interviewing Tips:

1. Research your prospective employer before attending the interview so you can demonstrate knowledge of the company and its industry during the interview. You can further impress by asking an informed and insightful question about the company.http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/Interview-Preparation/Do-Your-Homework-Before-Interview/article.aspx http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/Interview-Preparation/Job-Interview-Pointers-Fogarty/article.aspx
2. Be prepared and practice: There are some general questions that many employers ask during an interview, such as: "Tell me more about yourself," "Why do you want to work here?" and "Why did you leave your last job?" Know how you will answer these standard questions before going into the interview.http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-924-Getting-Hired-Strategies-for-Successful-Interviewing/
3. Dress appropriately: A general rule of thumb is to dress more formally than you would if you were actually working at the company. If you're not sure what the company dress code is, there's no harm in asking the person who contacts you regarding the interview.http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/Interview-Appearance/Appropriate-Interview-Dress/article.aspx
4. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
5. Try to remain calm. Although you may be nervous, try to maintain an outward appearance of confidence by not fidgeting, looking the interviewer in the eye, smiling and practicing good posture.http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-925-Getting-Hired-Making-the-First-10-Minutes-of-an-Interview-Count/
6. Answer the interviewer's questions completely but concisely, and provide specific examples when highlighting your skills and experience.http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/Interview-Preparation/Job-Interview-Pointers-Fogarty/article.aspx
7. Even if you feel as though you have blown it, your interviewer may not. Keep upbeat and don't allow mistakes to throw you off.http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-925-Getting-Hired-Making-the-First-10-Minutes-of-an-Interview-Count/
8. Be yourself: Avoid coming across as robotic or overly rehearsed when answering questions. Allow some of your personality to shine through and, if and when you sense it's appropriate, bring a sense of humor to the conversation.http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-924-Getting-Hired-Strategies-for-Successful-Interviewing/
9. Always thank the interviewer for his or her time.

For further information and more tips on successful interviewing, visit Mahalo's guides on How to Prepare for a Job Interview and How to Dress for a Job Interview.

1. Research your prospective employer before attending the interview so you can demonstrate knowledge of the company and its industry during the interview. You can further impress by asking an informed and insightful question about the companyhttp://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/Interview-Preparation/Do-Your-Homework-Before-Interview/article.aspx http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/Interview-Preparation/Job-Interview-Pointers-Fogarty/article.aspx
2. Be prepared and practice: There are some general questions that many employers ask during an interview, such as: "Tell me more about yourself," "Why do you want to work here?" and "Why did you leave your last job?" Know how you will answer these standard questions before going into the interviewhttp://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-924-Getting-Hired-Strategies-for-Successful-Interviewing/
3. Dress appropriately: A general rule of thumb is to dress more formally than you would if you were actually working at the company. If you're not sure what the company dress code is, there's no harm in asking the person who contacts you regarding the interviewhttp://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/Interview-Appearance/Appropriate-Interview-Dress/article.aspx
4. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early
5. Try to remain calm. Although you may be nervous, try to maintain an outward appearance of confidence by not fidgeting, looking the interviewer in the eye, smiling and practicing good posturehttp://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-925-Getting-Hired-Making-the-First-10-Minutes-of-an-Interview-Count/
6. Answer the interviewer's questions completely but concisely, and provide specific examples when highlighting your skills and experiencehttp://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/Interview-Preparation/Job-Interview-Pointers-Fogarty/article.aspx
7. Even if you feel as though you have blown it, your interviewer may not. Keep upbeat and don't allow mistakes to throw you offhttp://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-925-Getting-Hired-Making-the-First-10-Minutes-of-an-Interview-Count/
8. Be yourself: Avoid coming across as robotic or overly rehearsed when answering questions. Allow some of your personality to shine through and, if and when you sense it's appropriate, bring a sense of humor to the conversationhttp://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-924-Getting-Hired-Strategies-for-Successful-Interviewing/
9. Always thank the interviewer for his or her time

For further information and more tips on successful interviewing, visit Mahalo's guides on How to Prepare for a Job Interview and How to Dress for a Job Interview.