Not long ago, one of my former students contacted me in despair. It was six months after graduation, and she still hadn't found a job. I started thinking about some of the common roadblocks to a successful job-search, and I came up with this checklist of 10 important questions. Still haven't found a job? Ask yourself... |
Not long ago, one of my former students contacted me in despair. It was six months after graduation, and she still hadn't found a job. I started thinking about some of the common roadblocks to a successful job-search, and I came up with this checklist of 10 important questions. Still haven't found a job? Ask yourself...
|
| |
Are you networking? |
Job-seekers today can't rely on passive
methods of job-hunting. You have to meet people and tell as many of
them as possible that you're looking for a job (be specific). Take your
resume everywhere and give it out to everyone you can. Try networking.
|
| |
Are you limiting your search? |
Are you relying strictly on want
ads in the newspaper? Or have you decided that Internet ads will be
the source of your next job? Don't search in only one sphere. Only a
small percentage of job-seekers find jobs through either print or Internet
want ads. So where do they find them? See Question No. 1 -- through
networking. But don't even limit your search just to networking; incorporate
every form of job-hunting into the mix. Get some hints in our tutorial,
Job
Search 101.
|
|
|
|
Are you targeting employers most likely to need your skills? |
A really effective job search begins with comprehensive employer research
and development of a list of employers to target. Based on various research
criteria, you can target companies you most want to work for, companies
that are likely to have plentiful openings in your field, and/or companies
in particular need of the skills you have to offer. Once you've researched
them, you can approach them using various job-hunting techniques:
|
| 1. |
Sending cold-contact inquiry letters the impress the employer
with your knowledge of the company.
|
| 2. |
Using your network to uncover people with an "in" into your target
companies.
|
| 3. |
Informationally interviewing people in your target companies. |
| 4. |
Watching for print and Internet want ads from the companies (but
not relying solely on these ads).
|
|
| |
Are you spending enough time job-hunting? |
Many experts believe
job-hunting should in itself be a full-time job. If you're in school
or employed while seeking a better job, your time may be somewhat limited.
But you should put as much time as you can into it. Try to contact people
in your network every day with the goal of setting up interviews with
your contacts or people they've referred you to.
|
| |
Do you follow up after sending out your resume? |
Do you just
send your resume and cover letters out into limbo and hope for the best?
Or do you make a follow-up call or send follow-up e-mail to see if you
can schedule an interview appointment? Those who proactively follow
up are much more likely to get interviews.
|
| |
|
