JOBS UPDATE: Las Vegas JobConnect office finds over 500 new jobs

In case you didn't catch the 5-O’clock news, the Carson City JobConnect office recently wrapped-up their “Job Quest” campaign wherein representatives of the agency went door-to-door to area employers inquiring about job openings. The 'quest' was successful, uncovering 521 new jobs in surrounding Las Vegas communities.

According to the report, the new jobs include the retail, hospitality, and transportation industries, among others. Getting away from the last post regarding online job hunting, applying in person for local positions is a crucial skill in and of itself, one which many job seekers find daunting, or are ill-prepared for.

While your resume is a typed document of essential importance, the hand-written job application is a vital form that most companies require in addition to your resume, and will often use as a screening tool. That's because the application is viewed as the first example of your work, and your ability to clearly and legibly communicate information.

If your application is messy, contains many spelling and grammar errors, and/or does not effectively communicate answers to the questions asked, it will quickly find its way into the “round file” –read: trash can.

To prevent this from happening, you should first practice writing with pen and paper until your penmanship is perfected. As with drafts of your resume, never be your own judge. Instead, hand your writing samples to a friend or family member to look over. Circle every word your reader had to ask clarification on, and re-write your practice application until it can be read by someone else without confusion.

Next, you'll want to prepare a neatly written master application that you will bring along whenever you apply in person for a job. The master should include your previous employers with your employment dates for each company, along with names of supervisors or managers, and some keywords that describe your duties in each position.

Company addresses and telephone numbers of those supervisors willing to be a reference for you should also be included on your master application. Additionally, prepare brief answers for each former employer as to why you left, such as “laid off from position,” “relocated,” or “pursued advancement.”

Make several good quality copies of the master application so you'll be prepared to fill out the in-person application with ease, and with special attention to neatness. One tip: buy erasable pens to take along to the application site. If you do make a mistake, you can erase it before it dries permanently.

Brush up on commonly misspelled words, and have your proofreaders check for grammatical errors as well as neatness. You can get this feedback, and apply for area jobs matching your skills at the Carson City JobConnect office located at 1929 North Carson Street, Carson City. Until next post, focus on putting your best foot forward, and as always, good luck!