By now you know how to craft your resume, direct your cover letter to the appropriate person, and prepare yourself for an interview. You should also feel comfortable with networking and arranging informational interviews. Think through your total approach before you launch your job search strategy. What companies are you going to target? What tool will you use to approach that company? Networking? The Internet? Traditional and nontraditional job search tools are crucial factors in launching your job search campaign. Using these tools together is the most effective way to convince an employer that you are the best candidate for the job.
Put Your Plan Into Action
This article gives you background information on all of these tools-how to follow up after you have used each tool and how to keep track of them. Decide on a game plan. How much time will you spend on each tool, and when are you going to put each tool into action?
Remember, finding a job is a full-time job! Make a conscious effort each day to implement your job search campaign. You have the tools. You have the desire. Nothing can stop you from reaching your number one objective-landing the job that's right for you! If you are unsuccessful at first, keep your chin up and stay focused. Very few have found a job on the first try.
Success in finding a job depends upon several factors; some you can control, others you cannot. This book details the proper steps you need to follow to become successful in your job search. Count on spending hours exploring your interests and meeting professionals in your field. Take special care in thanking those who have helped you. Make sure you follow up every cover letter and resume you send. Network with thousands of professionals on the Internet.
If you follow the advice in this book, step by step, you will find the job you have been looking for. Job Search Tactics will connect you with the job that's right for you.
Forms for Your Overall Campaign
Since time and energy are valuable and limited, sources of job search information are varied, and response time is critical, you need a way to manage the information gathered during your search. On the next few pages, you will find copies of the job search forms used in the earlier exercises. Use these forms to stay on top of your job search.
WEEKLY PLANNER: This form is useful for keeping track of job search activities on a weekly basis. Use the NETWORK column to identify people to contact. The Informational Interview section is for recording to whom and when your credentials were sent. The Job Interview column is for posting interviews. Remind yourself to contact certain employers in the Follow Up section and use the Research section to list target companies.
BRAINSTORM CONTACT LIST: This is a list of all the people you could cont let. They don't have to be up to date on what you've been doing lately, nor do they need to know you personally.
CONTACT LIST: Contacts are your information source to the working world. The information and ideas they have can open up many job leads. With each new com act, you will be one step closer to finding the job you want. Keep all your contacts informed of your progress. One of them is bound to know of a job opportunity.
REFERRAL CONTACT LIST: These are the people referred to you by your original contacts. They were probably recommended because of their knowledge in your chosen field.
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW OUTLINE: For each informational interview, you'll need to have a clear agenda and purpose. Use this outline to organize our thoughts and make optimum use of the employer's time.
CREDENTIAL ORGANIZER: This form can be used to keep track of what credentials (resume, cover letter, etc.) you sent, and to whom. Recording this information prevents duplication of your efforts and reminds you to follow up in a timely manner.
COMPANY BACKGROUND PROFILE: Obtain as much information as possible about the industry, organization, and the individuals in the company to contact. Business references and directories at libraries are excellent sources for this information. The more you know about the company, the better you will be at convincing the employer to hire you.
INTERVIEW RECORD: Shortly after each interview, write down what you remember about it. What went well? What could have been better? What should you do in the next interview? What did you learn from the experience? These questions will help you in your future interviews and with composing a thank-you note to the employer.
