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There are many steps people can take toward landing their dream job, from taking a career test to researching the major companies in the field they hope to enter. If they have not done so already, job seekers may want to try networking.

In the event that individuals have never tried networking, there are a few things they should consider. For instance, The Boston Globe suggests job seekers place a focus on themselves and become the type of people others want to talk to. This means keeping essential knowledge and skills up to date and becoming something of a resource for those seeking information on the field they are in.

It also helps for job seekers to frequent places where they will be in a better position to network, such as college alumni events, trade shows and conferences. So long as individuals are out of work, their calendar should be filled with events they can attend, according to CareerBuilder. No event should be the last event.

Even if job seekers are struggling to find work, they should not pass up the opportunity to provide career assistance to others if they can help, or just do what they can to improve conditions in their field. According to The Boston Globe, they never know when this will yield indirect benefits.

In a competitive job market, people who are looking to find a good job may pull out all the stops, from taking a career test to scouring their social network for potential employment opportunities. However, if they end up landing an interview, their overall tone could be what gives them a competitive advantage over the competition.

According to CBS MoneyWatch, there are a few things job candidates who wish to strike the right tone should do. For starters, they need to think about their approach to selling themselves as a possible employee. It is important for individuals to be confident, but humble, as they explain what experience and skills they possess that could be of value.

Job candidates' energy level should remain high, but that does not mean they should babble or make prolonged eye contact. Individuals should stay concise when answering their questions, and be sure not to keep talking any longer than is necessary.

In addition to following these steps, job candidates need to make sure to mind their manners. Quintessential Careers recommends they avoid chewing gum, telling jokes and offering a weak handshake if they wish to leave a good impression.

The more desirable the job opening, the greater competition applicants are likely to face. Now, however, new research suggests that when multiple individuals interview for a job on the same day, they are compared to one another, rather than being evaluated on how good of a fit they are for the position they applied for.

More competition means slimmer odds
In a study from researchers at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Business School, data from more than 9,000 Master of Business Administration interviews was reviewed. Even though the study focused on academia, the researchers said its findings can be applied to interviews that take place during the job search.

According to the study's results, which appear in the Association for Psychological Science's journal "Psychological Science," interviewers' opinions of candidates were often informed by their views of those they met earlier in the day.

"People are averse to judging too many applicants high or low on a single day, which creates a bias against people who happen to show up on days with especially strong applicants," said Uri Simonsohn and Francesca Gino, the researchers behind the study.

If an interviewer had already given candidates from earlier in the day high marks on their performance, they were less likely to do the same for individuals who were coming in later. Based on the results of this study, job seekers may want to be wary of interviews that are scheduled for later in the day.

How job seekers can handle heavy competition
Of course, it will not always be possible for individuals to decide what time of day their job interview takes place. This is especially difficult when a particular position is in high demand. However, there are ways for candidates to stand out when they face fierce competition.

According to U.S. News & World Report, one thing job seekers should try to do is forget about all the other people interviewing for the position they want. There is a good chance several people will interview before and after a candidate's own meeting. This is out of applicants' control and, as a result, not worth dwelling on. With negative thoughts out of their mind, people will be better able to focus on leaving a good impression.

Something else that could increase job seekers' chances of landing their ideal job is taking a career test. When they know what type of role they are better suited for, they could end up interviewing for an opening they will quickly fill.

In a world driven by technology, not every job interview has to take place in person, or even over the phone. These days, it is not uncommon for some companies to schedule an online interview with applicants. If job seekers agree to sit for a web-based conversation, they are going to want to take it as seriously as they would a face-to-face conversation.

If candidates want to make a good impression on a potential employer, they cannot afford any technical glitches they could easily have avoided. Before individuals sit for an online interview, Mashable suggests they make sure their webcam, microphone and other essential equipment is in working order.

The news source also highlights the importance of looking presentable during an online interview. Just because job seekers are in the comfort of their own home does not mean they should carry on a conversation in a bathrobe.

Job seekers must be careful how they appear to their interviewer. When it comes to posture, CBS MoneyWatch recommends looking relaxed yet attentive. At the same time, individuals need to remember to make eye contact with whoever they are talking to, and not stare at the image of themselves on their computer screen.

These strategies, in addition to the results of a career test and a strong resume, may ensure that individuals land their ideal job.

Parents who wish to provide their children with a strong start to their academic careers may already plan on sending them to preschool. It is likely parents understand how much early childhood education programs can benefit their kids' personal and academic development. What they may not realize is that preschool could actually boost their IQ as well.

Based on the responses to a 2012 survey conducted by Adecco Staffing US, 70 percent of hiring managers believe that the presence of compromising content on millennial job seekers' social media pages can become a problem for them when interviewing for a position. As a result, millennials, and job seekers from other generations, should clean up their social media profiles before they apply for a position.

If people own a smartphone or tablet computer, it is likely they have downloaded and used at least one mobile app. After all, there have been more than 15 billion downloads from Google Play, which is just one of many app stores on the internet, according to TechCrunch.

While every jobseeker has his or her own unique skill set, there are certain abilities and characteristics most employers find more desirable in potential employees. If individuals want to get serious about landing their ideal position in 2013, it may be time for them to consider taking a career test to see just how attractive a candidate they are in today's competitive job market.

If parents believe their children could be capable of learning at a higher level, they may want to have them complete an IQ test for kids. Should young test takers turn out to be quite advanced for their age, their parents can begin the process of finding gifted schools or programs that will suit their learning needs. Placing children in the right programs early on is essential to their development, as the National Association for Gifted Children states that various factors can either enhance or inhibit their abilities.

Whether or not people celebrate Christmas, it is hard for them to avoid all the festive decorations that are already on display in some stores. In addition to taking a career test, jobseekers should get into the holiday spirit and consider how they can receive job search inspiration from Santa Claus himself.

After taking a career test, older jobseekers may feel rather confident about landing a position that matches their talents and interests. However, once they start applying to jobs, they could find that their age is an issue - even if it should not be.

Whether individuals are out of work or looking to switch careers, creating an effective resume, perfecting their interview strategies and making sure they have the proper credentials are probably top priorities. One thing they have very little control over is their name – something that may actually influence companies' hiring decisions.

At a certain point in their school careers, most students have to take a foreign language class. Whether they sign up to take French or Chinese, the idea of learning a whole new language may be an undertaking some pupils are less than excited about. However, these individuals might be more eager to try their hand at mastering a second language if they knew it could boost their IQs.

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, age discrimination, such as not hiring an individual based on age, is against the law. Unfortunately, it still occurs in companies across the nation.

After individuals take a career test, find the ideal job and nail an interview, they might assume their work is over. However, in many ways, what people do after their job interview is just as important as the interview itself.

Today, most employers feel job applicants should send them a follow-up note after the interview. This email or hand-written letter should thank the hiring manager for his time and re-establish the applicant's interest in the position.

"Always remember that getting a job is stressful and sending an interview thank-you letter can be your key to success," Yahoo! reports. "For instance, if you have similar skills and expertise with other candidates, a thank-you letter will probably make your application more interesting and may just be the one thing to give you a competitive edge when the time for the final decision comes."

While sending a thank-you letter is a wise decision, applicants should avoid following up with hiring managers excessively after an interview. If people call and email their prospective employers weekly to ask when they will make their final decision, they can quickly go from eager to annoying, U.S. News reports. The hiring process can often be long and arduous, so if individuals do not hear back from the company immediately, they should not panic. 

While entrepreneurs do not need to possess a set number of personality traits, they tend to have certain characteristics that help them launch and grow their own businesses. For instance, the U.S. Small Business Administration states that individuals interested in entrepreneurship should be independent, persuasive, creative and comfortable with taking risks.

Before entrepreneurs go on to start their own companies, many feel more comfortable expanding their skill set in business school while earning a master of business administration. However, if they think this will help them in the long run, they may want to first take a business management aptitude test and see if they possess some of the characteristics of successful business students.

Business 2 Community recently highlighted what it believes to be some of the traits successful business school graduates tend to have. For instance, it is important for students to be decisive, as they will need to make strong decisions while in academia and throughout their careers.

At the same time, it helps for them to be leaders and team players. When students launch their careers, they may find themselves overseeing projects. While doing this, they need to show they respect the opinions and feelings of their coworkers and employees to foster a productive work environment.

Pinterest, a social media website that allows users to pin pictures they find on the internet onto online pinboards, has only been around since 2010. In just two years, the platform's popularity has rapidly increased. In fact, TechCrunch recently reported that Pinterest is the web's fastest-growing social network.

In today’s competitive job market, it is likely that individuals who apply to multiple jobs will never hear back from at least one of them. Every employer has its own reasons for not replying to an applicant, but sometimes, there are easily avoidable reasons for the silence that follows the submission of a resume.

Recently, CBS MoneyWatch rounded up a few of these reasons so that jobseekers can work toward receiving the kind of responses they desire. For instance, it may be easier to reuse the same cover letter template for multiple employers. However, people need to show why they are a good fit for a specific job. Generic reasons will not be of much assistance.

Employers are looking for people who can follow directions. However, if job candidates submit required information in the wrong format - or fail to provide essential materials altogether - they give a clear sign to hiring managers that they are not serious contenders for the openings they are applying for.

An inability to follow instructions is also linked to another possible reason for a lack of a response. According to Business Insider, jobseekers need to understand the position they are applying for and what types of credentials it requires.

One way individuals may be able to avoid applying for a position they are not suited for is by taking a career test and learning what type of profession is best for them.

When the economy is healthy and employment opportunities abound, people may think nothing of quitting their job and looking for a new line of work. With the national unemployment rate at 8.3 percent, economic conditions are less than ideal. As a result, those who are fortunate enough to have a job will want to carefully consider their reasons for quitting before they reenter the job market.

Forbes recently highlighted a few of the factors it considers good grounds for leaving a position, such as a lack of appreciation. If the hard work employees do each and every day goes unnoticed by management, there is a good chance they will never have opportunities to advance or receive a promotion.

If there are no opportunities for growth on the horizon, receiving a bigger paycheck may be nothing more than wishful thinking. In the event that the work individuals do is not worth their salary, it may be time to look for an employer that is willing to pay more.

According to Salary.com, a lack of benefits, poor job security, a lengthy commute and general boredom are also reasons workers may want to find employment elsewhere.

Should individuals make the decision to leave their job, the results of a career test may point them toward a position they will not want to leave.

There may come a day when individuals realize what they do for a living is not as fulfilling as they thought it would be. After reviewing the results of a career test and doing a lot of soul-searching, they could be on the path to a job that is right for them and, as a result, will lead to a better life.

However, just because jobseekers know what they want to do with the rest of their life does not mean they will track down an opening right away. In fact, in the current economy – with its national unemployment rate of 8.3 percent – it may be a long time before individuals locate their dream job.

During a difficult job search, some jobseekers may wrestle with anxiety or depression, while others feel anxious, or as if there is something wrong with them. However, when opportunities are scarce, it is important for individuals to stay positive and not lose sight of their career goals.

Recently, Julie Kantor, chief strategy officer for the social recruiting service Barrel of Jobs, took to The Huffington Post to offer her advice to any jobseekers who are letting their emotions get the better of them. For instance, if job prospects look bleak, she suggested these individuals contact a friend or hire a career coach for help getting their search back on the right track.

At the same time, Kantor believes it is important for jobseekers to stay determined during their job search. If they are having trouble maintaining a positive attitude, she advised them to focus on daily action items, such as reaching out to recruiters.

According to U.S. News and World Report, taking a moment to exercise, meditate or do something fun with friends may also help jobseekers stay calm and focused on the task at hand.