Career Services | Job Search Strategies

Job Search Strategies and Online Job Search Resources

Successful job seekers must have both good information and well-developed hunting skills. There are important factors to consider in a successful job search which include an awareness of your goals and skills, an understanding of the labor market and a well-planned job search campaign.

It is recommended that you begin an active job search six to nine months in advance of your target employment date.

The following steps can assist you in conducting an effective job search.

Step 1:  Self-Assessment

The job search process begins with an identification of your values, interests, skills, accomplishments, experience and goals. Self-assessment, though a time-consuming process, provides invaluable information to facilitate career decisions and to prepare you to market your background effectively.

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 your values and check those most important to you. Then rank your top five values in order of priority.

  • Job security
  • Working independently with little supervision
  • Professional status
  • Mental challenge
  • Financial rewards
  • Ability to advance
  • Working as part of a team
  • Making a contribution
  • Challenging, stimulating co-workers
  • Different tasks to accomplish daily
  • Creating something
  • Pleasant surroundings

Adapted from Training for Life, by Fred Hecklinger & Bernadette Curtin, T, 1994.

Interests

Interests are closely related to values. You can identify interests by looking at themes in your life-activities that persist over time, consistent choices, or the way you spend your time. If you are unsure about your interests, consider meeting with a Career Center consultant or vocational guidance counselor.

Skills

A skill is defined as 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. Some of the most marketable skills are those that are useful in a wide variety of work environments. These are referred to as transferable skills, e.g. the ability to use word processing, database software, the ability to write effectively and communicate verbally, etc. Accomplishment statements can be used to communicate these skills to prospective employers. An accomplishment statement 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

Step 2: Research and Explore Career Options

  • Explore the matches between your identified skills, interests and values, and the demands of career fields and organizations. Try out intended jobs through internships, cooperative education positions, part-time or summer jobs, or volunteer opportunities. Update and revise your résumé; make sure it can be easily scanned. Maintain a positive attitude.
  • Talk with individuals from your personal and professional network. You can obtain valuable information by listening to others (i.e. interviewing questions, things you may not have anticipated and insight for preparing answers).

Step 3:  Select a Career Field

  • Thoroughly research possible careers/jobs to identify field options that emerge as most realistic and attractive. These options should become your career or job search goals. Try to target a career field that will satisfy some of your high-priority needs.
  • Solicit realistic feedback from experts in the field or career consultant to determine if your assessment is realistic. It is recommended that you meet with a Career Center consultant to discuss your analysis and decisions.

Step 4:  Prepare Job Search Materials and Develop Job Search Skills

  • Once you have targeted your job goals, tailor your résumé and applicant letter to reflect your qualifications as they relate to the interests of prospective employers.
  • Invest time in developing a well-prepared résumé and cover letter, and master the job search skills necessary to be effective. Learn which job search strategies are productive, how to interview effectively, how to market yourself and how to handle salary issues once an offer is made. Attend workshops on interviewing, preparing a résumé and cover letter, and salary negotiation.

Step 5:  Plan and Conduct Job Search Campaign

  • Establish a target date for getting a job and decide how much time you can devote to your search. Set aside a certain amount of time each week to work on your search. Use a calendar and weekly planner and work backward from your target date.

Use multiple strategies which may include the following:

A. Pursue Advertised Vacancies

Sources of vacancies may include:

  • Newsletters from trade or professional associations
  • Newspaper classified ads (most major cities are online)
  • Employment services and agencies run by government and for-profit businesses
  • Personnel department postings and phone lines

The main thrust of your efforts should be focused on establishing networks and identifying the hidden job market.

Tips to keep in mind to increase your success in responding to advertised vacancies include:

  • 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 a specific person. A quick phone call can provide appropriate names. In a blind ad, address your letter to a specific position title (e.g., Dear "Director of Personnel")
  • Make very effort to contact or write to the manager who will make the final hiring decision, as well as the personnel representative named in the advertisement.

B. Develop a Contact Network

  • Acquaint yourself with professionals in your targeted career choice. Your network can also consist of family members, friends, classmates and professors.

C. Contact Employers Directly

  • Send a letter of application and your résumé to the Human Resources department or specific managers. Follow up with phone calls.
  • Contact managers in organizations by phone or letters to request an appointment to discuss the information you have obtained by reading annual reports, trade literature, etc. For example, "I understand you are expanding your marketing division. I am completing a degree in marketing and am very interested in the expansion. May I have 20 minutes of your time to discuss it?" Indicate your desire to meet with them even if no positions are currently available. You might state that you will be looking for a job in the near future and that you are gathering information about organizations.
  • Emphasize your knowledge and interests in the organization during your appointments with department managers.
  • Follow up all interviews with thank-you letters, phone calls and, when appropriate, résumés that have been revised based on information and suggestions provided by a manager. It is critical to stay in contact with these managers, at least on a bi-monthly basis.

D. Follow-Up and Record Keeping

  • Maintain a careful record of all interviews, thank-you notes sent, referrals made and follow-up actions. Follow-up and record keeping are important for success.

E. Be Persistent

  • There are times when you will get discouraged, but if you keep up with it, you can avoid feeling anxious and actually have more energy.
  • If your search is not producing the results you would like, avoid blaming yourself and try a new strategy.
  • 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.

Remember to continue to use these steps cyclically to assist you in your career progression or job change.

On Line Job Search Resources

Monster Job Search – After you set up a Monster account, you can post your résumé and apply online for jobs. Monster also has links for company research and networking. (www.monster.com)

Wetfeet – This site focuses on strategies to assist your job search and help you make smarter career choices. (www.wetfeet.com)

IMDiversity.com – One-stop career and self-development site devoted to serving the cultural and career-related needs of all minorities. (www.IMDiversity.com)

Dice – The leading provider of online recruiting services for technology professionals. (www.dice.com)