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How prepared are you for planning and conducting an effective
job search? Successful job seekers must have both good information and well-developed job hunting skills. Three important factors for a successful job search are an awareness of your goals and skills, an understanding of the labor market, and a well planned job search campaign.
STEP 1.
Begin with Self-Assessment
The job search process begins with an identification of your values, interests, skills, accomplishments, experience, and goals. How can you seek a position if you don't know
what you want from a job and what you have to offer prospective employers.
Values
An awareness of what you value (qualities that are important and desirable) in a career will aid you in exploring career goals and attaining greater satisfaction in your work. Review the following list of values and check those most important to you. Then rank your top five values in order of priority.
- Job security
- Working as part of a team
- Working independently with little supervision
- Making a contribution
- Professional status
- Mental challenge
- Pleasant surroundings
- Challenging, stimulating co-workers
- Different tasks to accomplish daily
- Financial rewards
- Creating something
- Ability to advance
Interests
Interests (areas that arouse your attention or enthusiasm) are closely related to values and frequently trigger skill development. You can identify interests by looking at enduring themes in your life-activities
that persist over time, consistent choices, recurring dreams, or the way you spend your time.
Skills
A skill refers to something you do well, including handling problems or tasks. The key to your successful job search is recognizing these skills and communicating their usefulness verbally and in writing to a prospective employer. Use accomplishment statements to do so. They should:
- Describe your skills in concise, unambiguous terms.
- Refer to actual experiences to demonstrate your skill level.
- Connect your skills concisely to the needs of a
prospective employer.
Some of the most marketable skills are those which are useful in a wide variety of work environments. These are known as transferable skills. For example, the ability to write effectively, communicate verbally, and use word processing or database software are valued skills in the private as well as public sectors.
STEP 2.
Research and Explore Career Options
The next step in the job search process is to explore the "matches" between your identified skills, interests, and values and the demands of career fields and
organizations.
STEP 3.
Choose a Career Field, then Target Employers
After thoroughly researching possible careers/jobs, several field options will emerge as most realistic and attractive. These options should become your career or job search goals.
STEP 4.
Prepare Job Search Materials and Develop Job Search Skills
Once your job goals have been targeted, resumes and application letters can be tailored to reflect your qualifications as they relate to the interests of prospective employers.
STEP 5.
Plan and Conduct Job Search Campaign
The greater number of contacts and interviews a job seeker has, the greater the number of job offers. Therefore, it makes sense to use multiple strategies.
A. Pursue Advertised Vacancies
Sources of vacancies include:
- Job Search web sites online
- Newspaper classified ads
- Employment services and agencies
- Personnel department postings and phone lines.
Unfortunately, the most popular method for locating positions,
responding to advertised vacancies, is not the most effective. Job-seekers should respond to employment ads. To increase the odds of your success in responding to advertised vacancies, by telephone or letter, keep these tips in mind:
- Do not waste time responding to long shots.
- Use your cover letter to answer every requirement in the advertisement.
- Personalize your response as much as possible. Direct your materials to specific individuals, not "To Whom It May Concern," or "Dear Sir/Madam," unless the advertisements are blind newspaper ads (name of organization withheld). A quick phone call can provide appropriate names. In a blind ad, address your letter to a specific position title, (e.g., Dear "Marketing Manager").
- Try to contact or write to the manager who will make the final hiring decision as well as the personnel representative named in the advertisements.
B. Contact Employers Directly
There are several methods and combinations of methods that can be utilized to contact employers directly.
- Send a letter of application and your resume to the Human Resources department or specific managers. The success of this method is greatly increased when letters are followed up by phone calls, which may result in an invitation to visit the employer.
- Contact managers in organizations by phone or letter to request an appointment. It seems a very progressive move
- Always follow up all interviews with thank-you letters, phone calls, and, when appropriate, resumes that have been revised based on information and suggestions provided by managers.
- Even if managers have no positions available, once they have had a personal interaction with you, they may think of you the next time they have an opening.
C. Be Persistent
Job searching is hard work and there are times when you will get discouraged. Do not be reluctant to submit your credentials on more than one occasion to an organization for which you would like to work. This attitude demonstrates your enthusiasm and interest.
STEP 6.
Congratulations! Your job search has been successful!
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