You have the talent, and perhaps the experience, now you just need employers to know it. Whether you’re a seasoned produce pro that’s ready for the next chapter, or just starting in the industry with limited-to-no experience, getting your foot in the right door can be a challenge.
When you use a search agency, aka “headhunter” or “recruiter,” you partner with a company that has professionals who know the industry, and who spend the time to understand your background and skills.
Everyone knows you need a resume, but what about the rest?
Here are the steps you do not want to skip in the search for the perfect job in produce:
An Industry-Specific Employment and Recruitment Resource
Enlisting the professional help of an industry-specific pro, like Joe Produce for example, presents you with the full package of job-seeking necessities, including resume services, easy-to-access and apply job listings specific to the produce industry, and the inside track to a huge network of produce and produce-related companies.
A Plan
The Internet is an incredibly useful tool that can minimize work and time while maximizing your reach. It can also be overwhelming at times. So, make a plan. Know your targets and objectives, what you want and what you don’t want. This can be company and job types, geography/location(s), compensation, and any other criteria that is specifically important to you.
The Resume Can Make A Difference
A resume is often the first impression an employer has, so make it a good one! A strong resume is a necessity, and if you don't know what that looks like you can find out through your own research, have someone help you, or hire a professional resume writer to do it for you.
Once you have a great resume, make sure you update it periodically. Check out JoeProResumes.com for sample resumes. It’s a competitive world out there, and people with poor resumes oftentimes “start the race in the back row.”
Clean Up Your Social Media
While Facebook and Twitter accounts may be yours, they are also a future employer’s best window into who you are outside of work. If you were really a “train wreck” in college, for example, you may have some work ahead of you. There are even third-party apps and services that clean up social media so that the photos and posts you are tagged in are things you’re comfortable with a future boss seeing. In addition, keeping your privacy settings up-to-date can help to ensure that what is presented is also kept to professional standards.
Sample Interview Questions & Possible Answers
It may be cliche, but practice really does make perfect… or at least darn good! Though it may seem impossible to predict what an employer will ask, there is a compilation of information that says quite the contrary.
Some of the more popular interview questions include asking about personal weaknesses, why you left your previous positions, and what you can offer that other candidates cannot.
Take Care of Your Health
Looking and feeling good will help exude positive energy in your interviews. Drink water, eat right, and get in some exercise. Something as simple as a daily walk will make you a better candidate, as well as make you more confident about yourself as a potential employee!
Post-Interview Follow-up
Upon returning home from your interview, send an email thanking the interviewer for their time and consideration. Mentioning something that was discussed in the meeting is a nice personal touch, and can be a brief opportunity to reiterate one of your assets. This is a great time to let them know that you would like to join their team and make a difference. Also, don’t forget how far a simple “thank you” can go.
Network, Network, Network
Enlisting an industry-specific pro like Joe Produce’s professional assistance can help. With that said, reaching out to those you know is still a valuable strategy in finding a great job.
Checklist
An industry-specific employment and recruitment resource.
An up-to-date and well-written resume.
An up-to-date cover letter with room to address the specific needs of the position you are applying for.
All social media prepared for employer internet checks.
An updated LinkedIn profile and work-appropriate photo.
Sample interview questions and possible answers.
