How to Find Jobs for Employment in Washington DC
Washington DC is home to our nation’s capital. Many people seek to live in a city that has a great nightlife, historic parks, quaint housing, and interesting people. Washington is home to a number of different companies and government job opportunities. Here are some tips on how to find employment in Washington DC.
- Create a resume that reflects personal work history, education, and professional interests. Save a copy of the resume.
- Create a cover letter and save it on a zip drive, or in an easily accessible place on a computer. Keep the cover letter open when responding to jobs so that it can be tailored to meet the employer.
- Have a headshot taken while wearing professional attire. Inexpensive options for obtaining a professional picture are to have a friend take a picture with their digital camera. Wal Mart and Sears Portrait studios have picture packages that include one pose with a CD that contains the picture for less than $20.
- Create a professional profile at Linked In or another social networking strictly for business purposes. Linked In often has job leads mentioned before they are advertised in public newspapers or job boards.
- Make a professional email address. Free email services are okay, but they should be a version of first and last name. Avoid email addresses that have nicknames or other inappropriate language.
- Search online for opportunities within the Washington DC area. Use the search function to ensure that it is not bringing up jobs in neighboring cities.
- Start applying for jobs that are within the salary level and match personal qualification in Washington, DC.
- Apply to at least five jobs daily. Keep a written journal or a text file of each ad that was responded to.
- Check email at least once a day. This ensures that all correspondence between potential employers is seen quickly. Taking several days to respond should be avoided. Many employers have time sensitive deadlines they must meet for interviewing and hiring purposes.