Tips for finding a job

As I'm sure one can tell from my blog, I'm currently on the hunt for a job. One of my Mom's friends use to be a recruiter and was kind enough to write up a list of tips to make the search for employment a little more manageable as well a more successful! So, with out further adeu here it is:

Surviving the Job Search and Making the most of new opportunities

Treat the job search like a job. 

·         Have a fixed routine combination of networking

o        Example:

o        Morning.   Job applications

o        Afternoon.  Networking (informational discussions). 

o        Exercise!

o        Later Afternoon.  Follow up letters.

·         Informational interviews,

·         Formal resume submissions

·         Meetings w/ recruiters (if applicable)

·         Take time to assess what you want to do, what jobs and where are in out and what is timeframe.

·         Take the time to develop a plan

o        Example:  These are the types of jobs I would be interested in Portland, but by xx date will look outside the area, based on xx criteria.  OR, I would move but on these conditions, etc.  Have a timeframe and back up plans.  Only compromise as a very last resort, or you will compound you problem.  This is harder than you think

Maintain a contact management system. 

·         After a contact, put a placeholder in the calendar for the follow up.  I used a simple calendar program, and set out a date a few weeks from the first call.

·         Start building a list of contacts you never know what a oppty that doesn’t exist today could exist tomorrow.  Great opportunities come to those who make the most of small ones

·         Reach out to your Network.  Use them liberally.  Use LinkedIn

·         Ask everyone you meet to suggest someone else to talk to.

Looking for new opportunities

·         Indeed.com as one-stop-shop aggregator

·         Yes, Craig’s list

·         Job data banks for project mgt

·         Univ resources

·         Set up profiles for auto contacts.

Create your own jobs

·         Suggest interim solutions e.g. internships

·         Look for transferable skills e.g. project mgt.. 

·         Consider volunteering but only if it doesn’t interfere with the search and has a possible job outcome

·         Don’t volunteer as a way to avoid looking

Ride the emotional wave

·         The only decision that matters is the next decision, past is past

·         Anxiety is normal. 

·         Ignore what you read about job search challenges

·         Accept waiting game. For everyone working one week = one day.  Read this frequently

·         Know that this too will pass and that change is good.

Resume

·         Focus on what you’ve accomplished, not what you’ve done

·         Make the accomplishments specific

·         Tailor for each specific job and have decoder ring

Interviews

·         Be well prepared with practice questions and answers

Well I hope that helps any of you out there trying to find a job. I've definitely found these tips to be useful. Sometimes it's easy for us to forget things that otherwise seem like common sense. Until next time...good luck on the job hunt!