 Self Assessment
Begin your search by developing a clear definition of your skills,
interests, personal traits, values and vision. Be prepared to talk
about these in a positive way. If you have a difficult time
identifying these characteristics, you may find it helpful to speak
with a career counselor.
Resumé
Develop an accomplishment-oriented resumé that highlights the skills
you wish to use again in your next job. Keep the resumé succinct; a
good rule of thumb is one page per 10 years of work experience.
Remember: This is just a commercial about you, not the full-length
movie.
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Cover Letter
Your cover letter should draw an obvious connection for the employer
between your background and the open position. Draw out those parts of
your resumé that merit special attention. Explain why you are
writing; if there is a personal connection with an individual at the
firm, mention it up front. The standard cover letter is between three
and four paragraphs, no more than one page long.
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more...
Research
Learn as much as you can about a firm before interviewing or even
networking with a more senior person. Use the Internet and your local
library to find out about the company's products and services,
history, major competitors, plan for the future, even corporate
culture.
You can greatly improve your chances of finding the right job by
doing a little research. Identify companies you might be interested
in working for. While you're at it, find out more about the
industry, and about any competitors -- there may be job openings
elsewhere.
Find out if the company has a website; it could be a treasure
trove of information. Also use various search engines to see what
else is on the Internet about that particular company or industry.
Networking
Many of the best jobs never make it into public advertisements.
Finding the right job can take networking, persistence, and simply
being in the right place at the right time.
Make a list of friends, family, former schoolmates or former
colleagues who may have any connection with the jobs, industries
or companies you've identified. Get their phone numbers.
Remember, even if your contacts are in different jobs now, if
they once worked in industries or careers you're interested in,
these people can provide valuable contacts.
Call the people on your list. Don't be shy. Be pleasant,
friendly and undemanding. Keep your voice confident. It helps to
say you're considering a move into a new industry, not that
you're desperately looking for a new job. If you can avoid it,
don't tell people how long you've been looking for a job or out
of work. Always be upbeat.
Even if a person doesn't seem to be much help, remember to ask
each person if they know of anyone else in that industry you
should call. Ask if they have that person's phone number.
Always ask if they have any advice for you. Most people
love to give advice. You don't have to take their advice, but
something they say may be helpful.
Interviewing
The well-known adage "practice makes perfect" is very apt
when it comes to interviewing. Review your key strengths and practice
talking about them with family, with friends, or even in front of a
mirror. That way you can make the mistakes when they won't count.
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more...
Managing the
Campaign
Looking for a job takes as much as if not more time than working at a
job. Pace yourself by identifying the priorities for the day or the
week. Maintain control of the process by keeping track of all
correspondence, whether it be by phone, fax, e-mail or snail mail.
That way, if someone calls you to conduct a phone interview, you'll
know who they are. Remember to send prompt thank-you notes whenever
the opportunity presents itself; this can be the difference between
getting the job interview or offer or not.
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