Jobs Search Tips
This is not a recipe. It is a collection of steps/actions that have been derived from many years of experience involving all our consultants, and as such provides a source of ideas that you may wish to build into your job search. Remember that above all, you need to create an approach that suits your own aspirations and circumstances.
Define Your Offering
Know what you have to offer and what you want out of the job - this includes all the tangible and intangible things that are important to you in selecting your next role. Write this down somewhere before you start looking for your next role - it gives you the power to say NO as well as yes and it defines where you should look and who to target.
Get Your Network in Order
We believe, as a career management tool, there is no single activity more important than building and enhancing your professional network. Start with immediate family and work your way out from there. Colleagues, or former colleagues, friends, professionals from whom you buy products and/or services, industry contacts, college and grad school classmates, etc.
Draft a Message
In your written message or phone call, be sure you are clear about what it is you are asking, and tailor the message to the inpidual contact. Your network contacts should understand your current situation, and what it is you would like them to do for you.
Make a Plan
Set some goals; what you want, where you want to be and what you need to do to get there. Make the goals realistic by matching your skills and experience with what you know and do best. If you are unsure about your expectations, you might want to consider engaging a career counselor to help with this part.
Do the Research
Develop a list of target companies where your skills and experience are the best match, or are the places you really would like to work.
Take a Hard Look at Your Resume
Very few resumes are as good as many of us think they are. Start by showing your resume to someone who doesn't know you that well, not your spouse or best friend. Get their feedback on how they perceive you from your written materials. If there is something that isn't clear - change it. Thinking, "they'll know what I mean" can be a costly mistake.
Practice Your Interviewing Skills
If you haven't sat on the other side of the desk in a while, you may have forgotten just how hard this is to do. Develop "A" type answers for all your successes and accomplishments, and prepare yourself for any unexpected questions that may come up during the interview.
Be Realistic About What You Apply For
When starting a new search, many times people think "it's totally a numbers game. The more resumes I send out, the better my chances". While there is some truth to this, it's still about finding the right match. Our advice here is simple: If you sincerely believe you match 70 percent of what the specs say they are looking for, then apply for the position.