Seth Ryan’s Blog

Apartment hunting can be very daunting for some potential renters. Often the variety of options available to these renters is a source of overwhelming frustration for the renters. With so many appealing options it can be difficult to choose just one. However, there are some tips which can help to ease the process of apartment hunting. The process of finding the perfect apartment can be broken down into three simple steps. The first step is to set a budget. Next the renter should research their available options and then comparison shop to determine which option is the best.

Set a Budget First

For many renters the most important consideration is how much they are willing to spend on an apartment per month. For this reason it should come as no surprise that the first step in the apartment hunting process should include establishing a budget. Renters should consider their monthly income and subtract out all of their monthly expenses from this amount. Monthly expenses should include all bills which are paid regularly as well as money spent on food, entertainment and miscellaneous items each month. The renter may also wish to subtract out an additional amount to allow for some savings each month as well as emergencies. The total left after these subtractions is the amount the renter is able to spend on an apartment per month. Once this amount is established the renter will have a better understanding of the type of apartment they are able to afford.

Research Available Properties

Once a budget has been established, the renter should begin researching the properties which fall within his budget range. It is likely to consider properties which are slightly above the range as well as properties which are slightly below the range. Doing this will allow the renter to see if there is an opportunity to either make improvements on the amount of monthly spending to allow for the renting of a more expensive property. The renter can also determine whether or not they feel there is the opportunity to negotiate a lower rental rate on a particular property.

When initially researching properties, the renter does not necessarily have to visit each property. Most of the pricing information can be obtained from resources such as Internet websites, newspapers and rental magazines. Since pricing is the primary concern at this point, the initial research will enable the renter to eliminate properties which are too far out of their price range.

Comparison Shop

Once the renter has narrowed down his list of possible apartment complexes to a more manageable number it is time to start visiting these properties. It is during this step that the renter will really get a feel for the quality of the apartment as well as the amount and quality of amenities offered by the complex. This is very important because this information can be used to decide between properties which are otherwise very similar.

The comparison shopping process is also worthwhile because it gives the renter some bargaining power in negotiating more favorable rent rates. Renters who have visited a number of apartments likely have a good idea of the going rate in a particular area for a particular size apartment. These renters can use this information to potentially convince some leasing agents to lower their prices at least a little bit. There will not likely be huge drops in price from these negotiations but it will likely be enough to be considered worthwhile.

David Riewe
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/apartment-hunting-tips-80707.html

Graduation should be a time for rejoicing because a person has finally got the degree he has aspired and worked hard for several years. However, the lack of employment opportunities has made graduation a moment of truth. Graduation is in fact the start of a person’s quest for the best job he can find considering his educational attainment, talent and work experience.

A person who wants to find a good job should not just sit around and be complacent just because he already has a degree. Unless a person is a computer genius, employers will never knock on his door and bend down on his knees to hire him for a job.

Job hunting is an art and a person should use all the strategies he can muster to develop very good job hunting skills. Job hunting should not really be a hit and miss effort but it should be a skill that has to be developed.

A person on a job hunting mission should arm himself with a very good resume. New graduates do not have much work experience to build their resumes on but they can be creative and make their resumes effective and attention catching. The resume is one of the most important tools a person should have when on a job hunt.

Employers do not have all the time in the world to read novel-like resumes to make sure it is really just a preview of what you have to offer to the employer. The specifics can be discussed later on during the interview phase. However, an applicant will be scheduled for an interview if his resume is impressive enough for the employer.

Never submit a resume without a cover letter because it is some sort of an introduction to your resume. A cover letter is like a teaser and employers sometimes make a decision to interview an applicant just on the basis of his cover letter.

It is always advisable to do some research on the type of company a person is applying for. Research on the people behind the company; the history of the company and even the people working for the company. This can help any applicant especially during the interview and in determining his chances of being hired and of advancement in the company once hired.

Look out for career or job fairs because employers usually flock to these job fairs. In the same manner, job applicants also flock to these job fairs so make sure you come well prepared with several copies of your resumes and cover letter. Bring extra envelopes for your resumes and replace them when they get soiled. Making an impressive first impression can do a lot for your career.

Job fairs are usually held in universities especially when graduation time is near. These fairs are also held in malls or other public areas that are accessible to a greater number of people. Look out for announcements of job fairs on the radio, televisions and even posters in the park.

It is always wise to network. Keep in touch with family friends, with past classmates and with other contacts who may present you a job opportunity. People in your network may know of a job vacancy which fist your qualifications and getting in touch with them and letting them know that you are looking for work will remind them to call you up when an opportunity for such need presents itself.

Always read the papers because job vacancies are usually advertised on newspapers. In fact, make it a habit to check the papers everyday because there are plenty of job opportunities not just in the advertisement of classified ads section but also in the news reports.

A solicited job application is fine but there is no rule in submitting unsolicited job applications. Send your resumes to several companies in your areas of interest even though they have not advertised a vacancy. Some companies do not advertise their vacancies. Submitting a resume even if unsolicited can give the applicant an advantage over the others who will still wait for an advertisement.

There are a thousand and one ways to get a job but a person really has to be creative and industrious to land the best job the soonest possible time. SO go out, network with friends and associates, join job fairs and make sure you submit the best resume!

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/tips-to-succeed-in-job-hunting-68266.html

Looking for a new job can be a costly affair especially if you are unemployed and looking as opposed to employed and looking.

However with some planning and prioritizing, you can keep your expenses down to a minimum.

Here are some strategies to help you.

Don’t give up the day job

If at all possible, remain in your current job whilst looking for a new job. Having a regular salary coming in is vital in keeping a level head. It’s harder to carry out an effective job search if your utilities are cut -off for lack of payment. If you are unemployed, try getting a part time job that will help you to stay afloat.

Create a budget

You need to have an idea how long you can survive without a regular income. You do this by adding your assets, such as cash in hand,savings, severance pay and unemployment insurance and dividing this total by your estimated monthly expenditure. This should result in the amount of months you can go without a regular income. If you can
manage for a relatively long time, you can be alot more selective in your job search and stick out for better opportunities.

Keep a lid on daily expenses

Your utility bills can really add up during times of unemployment because you are at home more. Your phone bill especially could rack up because you will be networking and talking with prospective employers a lot. Consider switching to a call plan both with your land line and
cellular that allows for cheaper day calls.

Also, conserve on electricity and cook inexpensively at home rather than eating out. Reduce to a minimum, all those ‘money guzzling” activities that you use to partake with your co-workers. For every unexpected expenditure, see if there is another area of your life that you can reasonably cut back on.

Balance job hunting expenses

Traveling to interviews and calls backs can take a toll on your pocket. Increasingly, companies are deciding not to reimburse interviewees for traveling expenses.

You have to weigh, whether the costs of going to an interview, for example, traveling, buying appropriate attire, cab fare and accommodation, are worth it. Things to consider about the job are, salary, distance from home, work load and prospects for career mobility.

If you decide that it is worth going to the interview,then go for it whilst being as cost conscious as you can. However, be aware that not all interviews or call backs are worth the time and expense

Borrow or get it free rather than buy

I am not talking about borrowing money but borrowing things like a suit from a close friend if money is tight. If needs be, you can buy a suit inexpensively from a second hand shop.

You can also ask your friends to give you a few stationery items from their office provided that they get permission. Asking for some paperclips or sheets of paper should not be too much of a problem. It might be possible to use your friends’ computers at work as well,rather than paying someone to type and print CVs and cover letters for you.

Visit your local library

The library is another great place for free job hunting resources. For internet, photocopying and scanning needs, the library is a low cost alternative to outside business centers. You may also be able to use the internet for free although your time may be limited.

Having a list of online recruiters who you want to apply to, handy, as well as having your resume written out in advance is a good way to conserve time.

There is no need to fill in an online resume for every job portal out there, three to four registrations should be enough. Upload your resume rather than filling out an online one where you can.

The library is also filled with books on effective job hunting techniques so borrow them instead of buying from the book store.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of cost-saving techniques but should help to make your job hunting less taxing on your pocket

David Cassell
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/job-hunting-on-a-shoestring-57622.html