Job Search Organization

Searching for a job a full-time job!  Spend at least eight hours a day on your work search.  Have a sert schedule for your work search, just like a job.  Schedule a set time each week for researching, corresponding, interviewing, and following-up on job leads.  In this tough economy, a job isn’t going to fall into your lap.  You must go after it.  Keep detailed records of your work search activities.  It will become easy to put the wrong name on a cover letter or forget the name of a company you applied to or the position title you applied for.  Keep and maintain a spread sheet (manual or computerized) with all of your contacts.  Track information on your spreadsheets such as:

• List of target companies/industries;
• Salary information for various positions;
• List of networking contacts;
• A list of references;
• A list of companies and positions applied to with follow-up dates and notes of interest;
• A list of recruiters and/or staffing agencies that are industry specific.
• Date applied, company, position, contact name, contact information, status of lead, notes, and a correspondence log that links to the information you sent to the employer

Get active at your Job Center.  You can:

• Establish a personal job search plan and review with your career counselor.
• Learn about the local labor market
• Assess your skills for job matching
• Participate in job workshops
• Obtain job leads and follow up on job referrals
• Spend time researching the job market in your area to learn what industries and occupations are growing and how you might get skills or training in those fields.
• Attend job search seminars, job clubs, job fairs, and other employment-related workshops.
• Develop an “elevator speech” – an eleven second introduction statement describing your background, skills and abilities.  Why eleven seconds?  That’s the average length of an elevator ride – hence and elevator speech.

Schedule time each week for:

• Meeting with a career counselor or Job Developer at the Job Center
• Review online job postings
• Development or rewriting of resumes and cover letters
• Phone calls to employers or referral contacts
• Phone calls to new contacts
• Phone calls or face-to-face contact HR offices and/or hiring managers
• Set up face-to-face meetings, networking lunches, breakfasts, dinners
• Phone calls or face-to-face time with recruiters
• Attending job fairs
• Sending  resumes with cover letters and developing follow-up thank you notes
• Completing Applications either in-person or over the Internet

Review and analyze your spreadsheet regularly to ascertain:

• Which resumes and cover letters are garnering you the most interviews?
• Which jobs or position titles have generated the most job search activity?
• Where do you need to spend more or less time?

Preparation for Interviews:

• Do Your Homework: Always research the organization prior to interviewing. Knowing some of the company’s successes and accolades, such as awards and charitable actions, shows that you have done your homework.
• Have a Focused Plan: Create a list of companies that you will systematically contact. Prioritize companies that are a close match to your experience and skills.
• Arrive 10 Minutes Before the Interview: Arriving early relieves the stress of possibly being late and demonstrates that you are responsible and dependable.
• Professional Email: Don’t use your “party email” for follow-up. Get an email address that is simple and professional.  Likewise, review your social media profiles such as Facebook & Twitter and be sure nothing unprofessional is on your page.
• Customize Your Resume: Take the extra step of customizing your resume to fit each individual job applied to.  Simple, generic resumes fail to catch the eye of hiring managers.
• Proofread.  Make sure that you do not have any grammatical errors on your resume.
• Bring Copies of Your Resume:  This shows you are organized.  Don’t assume that everyone will have copies of your resume.  Make sure you bring a few extra, “clean” copies with you.
• Use Active Verbs: Strong active verb usage adds “punch and power” to your resume.
• Be Careful with Acronyms and Jargon: Make sure that any acronyms are spelled out to avoid confusion. Try to eliminate jargon unless you are 100% sure your interviewer will understand the reference.
• Make Your Resume More Reader-Friendly: Research shows that employers take from 2.5 to 20 seconds to scan a resume. Use bullet-points and bolded titles to make it easy for them to focus on the highlights.
• Delete from your resume phrases like “duties included,” “responsibilities included,” or “responsible for” from your resume. Your resume should communicate accomplishments, not be a copy of your old job description.

At the Interview:

• Make Eye Contact:  Seek to make solid eye contact when answering questions.  This simple gesture shows that you are confident and decisive.
• Take Notes:  This also shows preparation, organization, and respect for the interviewer. Always come prepared to take great notes.
• Smile:  A smile coveys you are approachable.  An interview can be a nerve-wracking experience.  A smile helps to break the ice.  Don’t be afraid to inject a little bit of humor into your job interview.  Your personality is equally important.
• Have a list of questions for the interviewer:  A prepared list of questions shows your preparedness for the interview.
• Carefully Listen: Make sure you listen as much as you talk. You’ll be surprised by what you’ll learn by asking great questions and listening attentively.
• Confront Your Weaknesses: Employers usually ask what your “weaknesses” are. Don’t be afraid to admit them and describe how you are working to improve.
• Make a Memorable Impression on Everyone: Shake hands and say thank you to everyone you meet, from the hiring manager to the receptionist.
• Stay Patient and Optimistic: The most persistent and optimistic candidates have the best chances of landing a position.
• Practice, Practice, practice:  Ask a friend to play the role of an interviewer. Set-up a video to record how you answer questions. Review the video for ways to improve your body language and style.
• Show Interest in the Team: Include several questions about the team you will be joining. Get a clear picture of roles and ask if anyone internally is interviewing for the position.
• Understand Why the Position Is Vacant:  Politely probe why the last person left the position. This question demonstrates your thorough preparation and may uncover any red flags you should follow-up on.

After The Interview

• Follow-up on Weak Answers:  Note questions that you didn’t have a good answer for in the interview. Follow-up with a clarified answer in your thank you note.
• Always send a follow up email and handwritten note. You’ll be surprised by how many candidates overlook this step.
• Ask For the Job: If you feel that the interview went especially well, make it clear that you want to work there. You never know – you might get hired on the spot!