Job Search Tips – Part 3

You only need one company to hire you. It might not be one particular company you are focusing on, but it might be the next one you contact! A job search is “marketing.” Approach your job search as a marketing campaign — the product you’re selling is “You”!

1.       You can land your dream job through solid job search planning, execution, control, and management.

a.    Your challenge is to prepare and execute an effective job search campaign. Assemble your resources, leverage your network, “get the word out,” and succeed!

b.      Identify a “career vision” — the type of work environment, location/lifestyle, and job benefits you want — so you can evaluate potential jobs against your vision.

c.       Once you have identified job titles and prospective employers, your job search should focus on developing and tapping into a network of connections.

d.      Consider how marketable your skills are, and which are most marketable. Clarifying this will not only help the job search, but also what you emphasize on your resume.

2.       Achievements sell! Highlight your most significant and most relevant career achievements in interviews. 

a.       Success is what differentiates you from other job candidates and gives you the competitive lead.

b.      Define yourself. What makes you different from others? Know your major strengths and accomplishments as they relate to the job you are applying for, and the company.

c.       Successful job seekers are able to document specific achievements and accomplishments in their education, work experience, and/or volunteer work.

3.       Resume tips:

a.       Never, never, never lie on your resume. People have tried and failed, often losing outstanding opportunities. Don’t risk it.

b.      Proofread your documents at least three times. Spellcheck and proofread. Then do it again. And again. Perfection is mandatory.

c.       Keep a file with your accomplishments in it: annual performance reviews, certificates of completion, and client testimonials. It makes it easy to create or update your resume!

d.      Your goal in a job search is to create a favorable impression in each job search communication — whether written or verbal.

e.       Information gained during self-assessment proves invaluable during the resume creation process, and it’s exactly what’s needed for tough interviews.

4.       Once you have a resume ready, the next step is to get it in the hands of a decision-maker who has the authority to interview you — and, hopefully, offer you the job.

a.    When an advertisement directs you to forward your resume to HR, do so, but also send a copy directly to a hiring authority for a strong “double hit.”

b.   Sending a hard copy of the resume to follow up to an email can mean the difference between getting noticed or getting passed over.

c.    Don’t send articles, performance appraisals, press releases, etc. with your resume. Save it for the interview.

d.   Always try to find a human being to connect with at a target company. Never email generic departments (like HR@companyname.com).

5.       Review your progress daily. Make consistent, positive movement towards your goal of securing a new job.

a.    Take five minutes at the end of the day to review your progress towards your job search goal and decide what 2-3 actions you will take tomorrow to get closer to achieving it.

According to The Five O’Clock Club, an average worker spends only 4 years in a job — and will have 12 jobs, in as many as 5 career fields — during his or her working life.  Job search is an arduous process; you certainly don’t want to accept an opportunity, find out that it is not right for you, and have to re-launch your search campaign.

A job search is stressful! Remember, life is more than work. Take a few steps back, breathe deeply, and try to put everything back into perspective. A healthy mindset leads to a successful search campaign. Take some time each day to do something you enjoy.