Tips

[JoeDuggins]

Time-Tested Job Search Tips:

Allow enough time to do the job right. Our three-step approach requires about a month. According to the bulk of employment services "experts," at least half your time job hunting should be devoted to researching job leads and rehearsing for interviews.

Commit your time, effort, and adequate finances. To be successful, your search should reflect quality, professional approaches, and sound thinking. Employ various approaches to see what works: Direct mail (such as our three-step approach), networking (discussed above), responding to classified ads, and searching the Internet. Keep track of your mailings, interviews, and other activities so you know what works and why. That way, you can tailor your job-hunting campaign and make it more powerful and cost-effective. Be persistent - not aggressive - and don't let laconic secretaries buffalo you. As long as you maintain your cool and manners, you'll get the information you require. Of course, you always can try calling early in the morning or later in the day and try to reach your intended target directly.

Visit your local Department Of Labor (DOL) office. DOL has myriad job postings for you to review once you've signed up for the benefits you are due, as well as veteran services, job counseling, equipment, and facilities you can employ in your job search.

Get organized. You also need to remember to whom you have talked and when, and the results of that meeting. Maintain a "Lessons Learned" file that will help you prepare for the next interviews.
Create a "To Do" list every day. This helps you organize priorities, record accomplishments, and stay focused on finding a job. It also keeps you from overlooking important activities, deadlines, or follow-up responsibilities.

Be prepared. Carry copies of your resume at all times. It's also a smart idea to have fresh copies of your resume "on hand," in case you're called to an interview at the last minute.

Uncover all there is about employers in your field. Remain current on issues and developments in the industry. Read trade journals, professional publications, and local newspapers. In fact, most major cities have "Business Journals" that publish invaluable rosters of companies and organizations.
It's extremely impressive during an interview if you know about the latest merger or coup in the industry. Also, find out about the organization's culture. Employee- and family-friendly? (For example, child care.) Average age of employees, racial mix, and predominant gender? You can uncover data like these from Annual Reports, newsletters, local publicity, and talking with employees.

Create a contact data base. Write down the employers you contact., the date you sent your resume, contacts made, people talked to, and notes about those contacts. Keep a notepad with you at all times, and take notes as soon as you hear about an opportunity or when you leave an interview. Make certain to update your data base daily.

Follow-up with leads immediately. If you learn about a position late in the day, call as soon as you're organized. Don't wait until the next day.

"Cold call" organizations and set up "information visits." This way, you'll meet the people who work in the areas or departments where you'd like to be employed. You need to take the initiative and meet prospective employers face to face. Information visits let you do this without the stress and stigma of the typical interview situation. In this more conversational setting, it's common for your "host" to reveal job openings or names of contact persons about whom he or she knows.

Target your Resume. Make sure your resume is geared to the employers who receive it. Be sure your resume is easy to read, and the most important details stand out. Create more than one resume if you're applying to more than one industry. You might also expand the areas where you list skills. For example, if you're in marketing, you're probably also involved in sales and promotion. Figure out what makes you good at what you enjoy doing, and market those accomplishments and skills in your resume.

Prepare an "elevator speech." Develop and memorize a three- or four-minute synopsis of your skills, experience, and accomplishments. You never know who you'll meet, or when. Be ready! Know your abilities and how to communicate them. You must be prepared to tell prospective employers and others you meet about the benefits you can provide. You must be able to discuss your skills, and relate these to the industries that interest you.

Learn how to talk about yourself. Throughout your job search, you will speak with many people at different levels. You need to be comfortable discussing yourself and your talents with other people. Keep in mind that you never know who may end up being useful to your job hunt.

Practice for each interview. Rehearsing is key to performing well during interviews. Ask friends, relatives, or career services counselors to help you formulate strong answers to questions you might not anticipate. Listen to our "Effective Interview Techniques" tapes or CD, and prepare yourself.

Stay confident. Job hunting takes time and energy. Remain positive, and get ready for the challenges ahead. Don't be disgruntled if you just graduated and are still seeking work. Most students do find jobs after graduation. And, you can, too - if you conduct your job search in a professional, disciplined, and timely manner.

Time-Tested Internet Search Tips:
¢ Focus your resume on the type of work you've performed, and in which you hope to find a job. It's essential the prospective employer recognizes your skills, and the benefits you could bring to his or her organization.
¢ Don't make your resume "too busy" with boxes, fancy typefaces, or interactive links. It needs to reflect a professional appearance and tone.
¢ Don't use your employer's resources - Internet account, computer, copy machine, or printer. (And, certainly not the postage meter!)
¢ Make sure your resume typeface translates well over the Internet. With some typefaces, it's hard to tell an "I" from an "l."
¢ Make certain your web-based e-mail account features a business-like name. Prospective employers probably won't click on such handles as "CoolChick" or "LoverBoy."
¢ Protect your privacy when job-hunting on the Internet - especially when posting your resume to various search engines. Some employers are not above checking such sites to see if employee names pop up.
¢ Send your resume as a "pasted-in" document rather than as an "attachment." Often, the latter get lost in the Net's "Bermuda Triangle."
¢ Always include a cover letter that summarizes requirements outlined in the ad to which you're responding, as well as pointing out the benefits you can bring to the organization. Also, since this may be the your only opportunity, it's a great idea to thank the job-poster for reviewing your submission or application.

Internet Search Engine Tips:
¢ Use a key word (such as "writer") for a broad search. If you get too many returns, refine it: "technical writer." "Tweak" search words until you get the returns you want.
¢ You also can focus returns by specifying geographic location (Missouri, for example) or salary range ($20,000 to $30,000). It takes time, but eventually you'll narrow job listings to those that meet your criteria.
¢ Don't devote a lot of time to Internet searches. Only about 1% of job seekers find work in this manner - and, usually, in high tech computer or Net-related work, or senior (CEO, CFO, or president) executive-level positions.