Job Search Strategy
Whether you are a passive job seeker positioning yourself for your next big career move, or an active job seeker that is unexpectedly thrust into your search, there are several things to consider when initiating your job search. Effectively utilizing the following information can help increase the number of job offers you receive, shorten the duration of your job search, and hopefully get you a position that helps you achieve your professional goals.
Resume Preparation
The initial step in beginning a job search is to ensure that your resume is well prepared. Most resumes fail to communicate one‟s impact to the business, but they do a good job of describing job duties. Effective resumes present a blend of job duties and functions, as well as accomplishments. Accomplishments have even greater impact if the results are measured by financial impact or percentages. To locate additional resume writing tools click here.
Elevator Pitch
In order to conduct an effective job search you must know what you are looking for. Before leveraging your network or applying for positions, make sure you know what you want. You have developed some skills and experience and now is the time to decide how you want to apply those skills and what is important to you in an employer. Your elevator pitch should serve as a job search „mission statement‟ and can be useful in avoiding the wrong job and/or employer.
Effective Networking
The truth is networking is an underdeveloped skill for most professionals. If the concept of leveraging your contacts only comes to mind when you need something, then you are already set up for failure. Professionals need to regularly engage in activities to help expand their connections in all aspects of their lives (i.e. business, personal, and civic). You never know when you may need someone's help and you may be surprised who is the key link to helping you find your next position.
Whether you are an active or passive job seeker, our advice is to make a detailed list of at least one hundred contacts that you can leverage to improve your job search. The list should include neighbors, friends, relatives, current and former co-workers, college alumni, church members, parents you know through children's activities, etc. Leave no stone unturned, because the majority of job seekers find employment through someone in their network. Bankers, Attorneys, CPA‟s and other professional service providers can serve as excellent contacts, because they can further expand your network and reach. Once your list is complete start making contact with each person and let them know what you are looking for.
Leveraging Technology
There are many job seeker tools online. Make sure that you are leveraging these resources. It takes little time to create a user profile on a job board or job aggregator like simplyhired.com or indeed.com. Craft a few job alerts and these job sites will notify you when opportunities match your interests.
Engaging Recruiters
There are many reasons to engage a recruiter, but not all recruiters are the same. First and foremost, make sure the recruiter you allow to represent you has your best interest in mind. You should know how much experience they have, their specialization/niche, and the type of employers they represent. Top recruiters will perform significant due diligence to ensure they know your strengths and your professional interests. Below are some tips for ensuring your experience is a success.
- For the same reason that you don‟t invest in only one stock, you don‟t invest in any one recruiter. Even the best recruiters don‟t have all the relationships. However, we don‟t advise going with more than three recruiters, unless someone has a job opportunity for you.
- Don‟t allow recruiters to send your resume to employers „at-will‟. Blasting your resume is not adequate representation and can have negative consequences that may cost you your dream job.
- Before agreeing to be submitted to a company we recommend some basic due diligence on the employer. Look at their website to learn about their business, mission, vision, values, size & scope, history, industry, location, and other details to ensure they align with your interests.
- Require recruiters to notify you before sending your resume to an employer. Make sure you know the name of the company and the position for which your resume is being submitted.
- Research the company and inquire about the recruiter‟s relationship with the hiring contact. Your success is likely tied to the strength and success record with the hiring manager.
- The best recruiters have your best interests in mind. So don‟t let a recruiter “sell” or force you into taking a job that you aren‟t certain is the right job. You want to make sure your recruiter is most interested in your long-term success and not on their commissions!
- Keep in touch with your recruiter throughout the job search process. If you don‟t hear from them, don‟t hesitate to keep in touch with them on a regular basis until you find your next job. If you are engaged in an interview process, don‟t let a week go by without contacting them if you haven‟t been in touch.
