Maybe you don't. You're job hunting - but you've had lots of interviews. And several terrific job offers! In fact, your only problem is deciding which job offer to accept. Right?
If that's your situation, congratulations! You can fast-forward, Negotiating Your Compensation.
But if you're like most job seekers, you're struggling. Who would have thought it would be this hard? Or take this long? After all, you've got a lot going for you.
Education and skills
You've got a nice blue interviewing suit. Your resume looks good. But it's not getting you through the door. How can you do that? And once you get an interview, how do you convince them to hire you?
The Proven Methods
This article contains no magic pills, but it can help insure that you'll find employment as it is:
1. Based on results.
Thousands of people have benefited from the approach and techniques which is the core of this article. More than 1,100 graduated from a program called Sale to Success. Eighty-three percent of these graduates found employment within 90 days of completing the program. Others have benefited from workshops and counseling using the same concepts and techniques.
Many of these people were victims of corporate restructuring. They had worked hard, played by the rules, and assumed that as long as they performed well and stayed out of trouble, they would always have a job. Then the "rules" changed. Suddenly, what they thought happened only to others happened to them. Overnight, their way of life, plans, income, security, and even identities were shattered. But with some help, they picked up the pieces and moved ahead. You can too.
2. Focuses on YOUR needs in the '90s.
Beyond Blue Suits and Resumes takes you step by step through the process that helped these people find employment quickly. They're people like you, from office and shop workers to engineers and bankers, from entry-level to top management.
3. Offers a "take charge" approach.
You may not want to be a "take charge" person, but do you have a choice? The best way to deal with the new realities is to change what you can change. Decide what you want, prepare, and go for it. The alternative is to make a big lap and wait for your job to fall into it. Can you wait that long.?
4. Provides a flow chart.
You probably didn't need a road map to get job years ago. In fact, employers may have sought you out because of your solid experience and skills. You never really had to search for a job, until now. Now you know that there's more to finding a job than a good resume and a nice blue suit.
The Job-Finding Flow Chart Helps You Gain Perspective
Finding a job seems like madness, the flow chart shows that there's method in it. The process is, in fact, quite logical. The flow chart provides an overview, showing the major elements of the job-finding process and how they relate to each other. That in itself helps you gain some control and perspective.
See What's Essential
The flow chart pares down the whole process, making it clear that getting hired requires only two things. These are basic, but not simple. You must: now how to
- meet with a hiring authority (a decision maker who has the authority to hire you),
- Persuade that person to offer you a job.
Just apply where you see the Help
Wanted signs - you're looking for. If you are reading this, you're more likely to be pursuing a career. And you want an opportunity to satisfy your interests, to use your education, experience, and talents to get a good job. You're much more likely to accomplish that if you go through the steps-assess yourself, set your goal, plan how you'll reach it, and implement your plan. Give these pivotal activities the time and energy they deserve.
Understand the Numbers Game
In order to persuade decision makers to hire you, you've got to meet them, usually after contacting them by mail or phone. Picture a kind of funnel, starting with a larger number of contacts. From these, you'll set up meetings with hiring authorities, some of which will generate job offers. Finding a job is a numbers game. Not meeting with enough hiring authorities is the biggest roadblock for job seekers. Could it be yours?
Three Major Phases of Your Job Search
What separates you from these decision makers-and your next job-is inadequate information. Gaining that knowledge is the learning experience of your life, taking you on a fascinating voyage of discovery where you'll find out about:
- Know Yourself.
Initially, you're in a transition. Whether you're searching for your first job or "between engagements," you owe it to yourself to take a good look at yourself, where you've been, where you want to be, and what you have to do to get there.
- Know Them.
Researching who will buy your services is a great chance to explore! Who's doing what? What do they need? Who are the decision makers?
- Know the Process: Planning and Persuasive Communications.
The three phases of your job search-know yourself, know them, and know the process-correlate with the three questions in your marketing plan: What are you selling.? Who needs it? How will you reach them?
