So where exactly does one begin? Not by writing a new draft of your resume, not by calling XYZ Corporation down the street because a friend of a friend says they're hiring. Before you even think about wading through the help-wanted ads or buying new stationery, focus on two big questions: What do you want? What do you have to offer?
Let's look at the first question. What do you want? One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is to start looking for a job before they're really ready--even before they have a well-defined goal. Setting goals is critical in all areas of your life, but it's especially important when it comes to obtaining a job. You need to define your objectives clearly.
Defining your job objectives is also known as career planning (or life planning, for those who wish to emphasize the importance of combining the two). Career planning has become a field of study in and of itself. If you're thinking of choosing or switching careers, remember two things. First, choose a career in which you'll enjoy most of the day-to-day tasks. This sounds obvious, but most of us have at one point or another been attracted by a glamour industry or a prestigious-sounding job without asking ourselves: Would I really like doing the job day in and day out?
Second, remember that you're not just choosing a career--you're also making a choice about the life you want to lead. Time and time again career counselors report that one of the most common problems job seekers run into is that they don't consider whether or not they're suited for a particular position or career. For example, some people attracted to management consulting by good salaries, early responsibility, and high-level corporate exposure find that they can't stand the long hours, heavy travel, and constant pressure to produce. So be sure to ask yourself not only how you might adapt to the day-to-day duties and working environment that a specific job carries with it, but also how you might adjust to the long-term demands of that career and that industry.
One formalized way to focus on your interests is to take a standardized interest-inventory test. These are multiple-choice tests designed to help you figure out your likes and dislikes and determine which jobs are best for you. To give you an idea of the types of questions you might find on an interest-inventory test, we've included ten questions that you should consider. Look at each of these questions. Do they describe your job- and career-related interests? If so, leave a check mark.
I enjoy:
- Working with things most of the time
- Working with people most of the time
- Working in an office or business environment
- Doing scientific and technical studies
- Doing routine or repetitive activities
- Doing abstract and creative activities
- Working with people in a helping role
- Working with machines most of the time
- Working for prestige and the admiration of others
- Seeing concrete results of my work almost immediately
Although it's been said that you are what you do, think about turning this phrase around: you do what you are. Your personality, likes, dislikes, values, and goals should determine where you work and what you do, not the other way around. Look at The Big Picture. Take a moment to see beyond whether you want to work "in an office" or "outdoors" and consider trying the exercise that's been asked of many creative-writing students. Write your epitaph. It doesn't have to be a one-line composition. Write for as long as you want. But answer this question: "What do you want to be remembered for?"
These exercises, of course, are just a beginning. Think of as many questions of your own as you can. Ask a friend or family member who knows you well to help you come up with some. Even if you believe you have a clear idea about where your interests lie, even if you're not entering the job market for the first time, try these exercises. Remember: you're not just looking for a paycheck. Use this time to figure out what's important to you.
Once you've thought about what interests you and what's really important to you, the next step is to think about the second big issue: what you have to offer to employers. Again, broadly speaking, what are your skills? Don't answer by guessing your typing speed; for now, think more broadly than that.
Which of the following describe your skills?
- The ability to understand and use words well
- The ability to do arithmetic quickly and accurately
- The ability to think geometrically
- The ability to see details
- The ability to make precise movements quickly
- The ability to coordinate your hand and foot movements with things you see
- The ability to work well as part of a team
- The ability to work well independently
- The ability to take a position and then defend it
If you've answered these questions, you're almost ready to start your search in earnest. Now's the time to use what you've learned about yourself to decide on the industry, job, and part of the country that appeal to you. One reason to do this is that it makes your job search easier; if you try to pursue too many different avenues, you'll only frustrate yourself. Having a well-developed plan based on objectives you've taken time to think about is easier on you-and will make you a stronger candidate, as well. Remember: employers like job candidates who have real interests and a clear direction. They know that if you're interested in a particular industry, company, or job, you're more likely to enjoy the position, do a good job, and stay with the company. Recruiters don't like to hear that you aren't at all discriminating--that you'll take whatever job they have available.
Developing Your Strategy
Assuming that you've established your career objectives, the next step of the job search is to develop a strategy. If you don't take the time to lay out a plan, you may find yourself going around in circles after several weeks of randomly searching for jobs that always seem just beyond your reach. The first step is to decide on the best method for contacting employers, so you should be familiar with the most common techniques and their advantages and disadvantages. Among the most popular resources and methods are the following:
- Direct contact
- Networking
- Help-wanted ads
- Employment services
- Alumni-placement offices
- Professional associations
- On-line databases
Direct Contact: Direct contact (also called "cold contact") means making a professional, personal approach to a select group of companies. Done well, it can be an excellent method for most job seekers, leading to many interviews and, possibly, job offers.
As a general rule, you should always try to contact a department head or president of any company you're considering working for. This will probably be easier to do at smaller companies, where the president of the company him- or herself may be directly involved in the hiring process. However, when you contact larger companies, you'll find yourself more often bumped back to the personnel office. If this happens to you, try to contact a key decision maker within personnel.
The first step you should take is to send out your resume with a personalized cover letter. The letter should be addressed to a specific person; if you're not sure to whom to send it call the company and ask, making sure you get the correct spelling of the contact's name. You should further personalize each letter by including a reference to something you know about that particular company (presumably through your research). This can make all the difference between getting an interview and getting passed over.
One important benefit of contacting employers directly is that you have the chance to do the necessary research to determine whether you'd like to work for that company and exactly how your skills would fit in there. However, that doesn't mean you should bury every firm within a hundred miles with mail and phone calls. Mass mailings rarely work in the job hunt. This also applies to those letters that are personalized--but dehumanized-- on an automatic typewriter or word-processing program. Don't waste your time or money on such a project; you'll fool no one but yourself.
The Sixty-Second Pitch
Approximately one week after you've sent your resume to a key decision maker, you should follow up with a phone call. Don't simply ask if your resume has been received--this can be frustrating to employers who are inundated with hundreds of resumes. A better approach is to state that you've sent your resume and explain, in sixty seconds or less, why you think you're the best candidate for the position. Your "sixty- second pitch" should be a clear and concise summary of yourself, including three important elements:
- What kind of work you do (or want to do)
- What your strongest skills and accomplishments are
- What kind of position you're seeking
If you're invited to an interview after you've pitched yourself to the hiring manager, great! If not, don't let it end there! Ask if there are any particular qualifications that he or she is looking for in a candidate. Is there anything else you can do or any additional information that you can send (writing samples, clippings, or portfolio) to help the hiring manager make a decision? Even if the person says no, that your resume is sufficient, he or she may be impressed by your interest and enthusiasm.
If you haven't already done so, specifically ask the employer if he or she would have a few minutes to meet with you. If that doesn't work, ask if that person knows anyone who might be interested in speaking to someone with your qualifications. If you're unable to arrange an interview or to get a referral, ask the employer if he or she would mind if you called back in a month or so. The goal is to get a positive response from the phone call-- whether it's an interview or simply a scrap of job-hunting advice. Don't give up too easily, but be professional and courteous at all times.
