Topic: JOB SEARCH

Definition
Job Search Strategies
Job Search Methods
Important Documents for Job Searching

Definition:
Job search means an instance of active contact with a potential employer to
apply for a job, and includes a contact by phone or in person, by submitting a written
application, or by attending a job interview. It is a structured, time-limited period
during which the participant is required to search for and/or obtain employment. In
order to complete the job search, the participant is required to apply for a set number
of jobs or find employment.

Job Search Strategies:

1. Finding a Job- Finding a suitable job opening itself can be a time-
consuming process. Here are a few resources to get you started:
- Job boards: browse sites to search for jobs in your field.
- Specialty job lists: look for lists of jobs in specific industries such as food
service, nonprofits, or media.
- Company, organization and government web sites: visit the employment
section on websites of companies you admire; search federal, state, county,
and city websites for job government job postings.
- Your own network: talk to friends, past employers, and professors or visit
LinkedIn to search for openings at companies in your network.
- Your college: visit your college or university placement office/career center
and attend job fairs hosted at your college.
Once you have found a job, make sure to print and/or save a copy of
the job posting or job description. You will use this document to help you
tailor your application materials. Because companies often delete the job
posting once they have received sufficient applicants, it is important that you
save your own copy of the document by copying the text and pasting it into a
new document, or by saving the web page.
2. Conducting a Self-Inventory- As you work on your resume, you may worry
that you have nothing valuable to include, or you may worry that you are
“bragging.” One way to get over these hurdles is to allocate pre-writing time
to a self-inventory. Brainstorm your skills, accomplishments and knowledge.
What did you accomplish at work, school, or a volunteer position? What skills
have you learned? What would you tell a friend or family member you were
proud of having achieved there? Start writing down key terms and action verbs
that describe your experiences and accomplishments, and don’t worry yet
about putting them into a résumé format.
As you gather information about your work history and skills, double
check that your information is accurate and current – gather dates of
employment, dates of trainings, lists of activities you have been involved in,
academic awards, achievements and special projects. Job descriptions or
performance reviews from previous jobs can also include key terms to include
on your resume. Finally, ask former coworkers or managers about your
significant workplace contributions.
 3. Researching your Potential Employer- It is important that you research your
potential employer as well as the job for which you’re applying. The easiest
way to research a potential employer is to visit the company’s website. Look
for an “about us” page or a “mission statement,” and observe how the
company describes its goals and values.Try to summarize your connection to
the company in one sentence. Remember that your potential employer is also
your audience, and adapt your tone, examples, and level of technicality
accordingly.
4. Researching the Potential Job-To research the job itself, take advantage of
the job description you have found. The job description is your secret weapon;
in this document, you are told what the employer is looking for in a candidate.
Print out the job description and annotate it; get into a conversation with it:
- Highlight or underline any qualifications that you hold — any skills you
have, technologies you’ve used, etc.
- Make note of any past achievements that relate to any of the preferred
qualifications. For example, if the job description seeks a candidate who can
diagnose and solve technical problems, write down an example of a specific
time in which you did so in a professional or academic setting.
- Circle any key terms you might use in your own materials. Using the same
terms as a potential employer demonstrates to that employer that you are able
to “speak their language.”
- Note any questions/uncertainties and any qualifications you do not have in
order to decide what to highlight and what to downplay in your materials (as
well as what you need to learn more about).

Job Search Methods:

1. Networking- Networking is the most effective way to learn about careers
and ultimately to land a job. Research consistently shows that networking
leads to a job far more often than other job search methods such as responding
to postings, attending job fairs or sending out unsolicited resumes. Networking
is frequently the only way to learn about “unpublished” jobs, those that are not
advertised and may not even be created yet. People conducting a job search
should spend most of their time networking in order to land a job that is a
good fit in the least amount of time.
2. Executive Recruiters- Executive recruiters, also known as “headhunters,”
can be an excellent source of job leads. They usually recruit for more senior,
higher-salary positions. Recruiters work for themselves and are paid by the
company doing the hiring. They function as an extension of the company’s
team and are usually more motivated to find the ideal candidate. They are
generally paid about a third of the position’s annual salary. Recruiters are
generally not interested in career changers. They sometimes have access to
unpublished jobs and may represent the only source of candidates for
particular jobs. They can be helpful in editing your resume for a particular
opportunity, preparing you for interviews, debriefing with you after interviews,
and negotiating compensation.
3. Job Fairs- Job fairs can be a good source of job leads for recent graduates
and those in “hot” fields. Check with the sponsoring organization for a list of
participating companies and the jobs open. Recognize that even if it does not
lead to a job, a job fair can be a good place to practice networking and
interviewing. While you should take copies of your resume to a job fair, it is
 unusual today for an employer to take a copy from you. In most instances you
will be referred to the company website to apply online. Employers do this to
make their hiring process efficient and to enable them to comply with
government employment regulations.

5 Important Documents for Job Searching:

1. Resume
Resumes tell the employer about your experiences, skills and work
history. Use your resume to highlight items that indicate you are a good
worker, are qualified for the position and bring desirable skills to the job. If
you are a student and have little or no previous job experiences, enhance
information about your school and community activities. A resume is the
foundation of nearly every job application. It’s usually the first item that
employers look at it because it clearly indicates who meets the minimum
requirements for the position and who doesn’t. That’s why it’s important to
make sure your resume is continually updated and includes skills and
experience that are relevant to the jobs you apply for.
A. Personal Information
Name
Current Address
E-mail Address
Phone Number
B. Objectives
In one short sentence summarize your goal for your job search.
The goal statement should be related to the specific position for which
you are applying. It is also effective to highlight your skills in the goal
statement.
Examples:
Seeking a position as a social worker providing service to the aged.
Seeking a position that utilizes my skills in counseling, research, and
proposal writing.
C. Education
School Name
Address
Inclusive Dates
Course
Certificates
D. Work and Related Experience
Summer jobs, Internships, Volunteer work
(Include position title, company/organization, city/state, dates and a
brief list of the job duties)
E. Skills
Soft skills: (being responsible, loyal, hardworking, energetic,
outgoing.)
Hard skills: (research and writing, Microsoft word 98,
Microsoft Publisher 2000, Public speaking.)
Other Considerations:
-Limit your resume to one or two pages.
-Do not include birth date, health status or social security number.
-Limit the use of personal pronouns such as "I”. Begin sentences with action
verbs.
-Be honest but avoid writing anything negative in your resume.
-Make your resume error free. Have someone proof read it for you.
-Use a simple, easy to read font style, 10-14 point.
-Use high quality paper.
2. Cover Letter
What a resume doesn’t tell an employer is why you want the job and
why you’re a good fit for their company. But a cover letter can. This is your
chance to let employers know that you’re the best candidate for the job. Your
cover letter doesn’t have to be long—three paragraphs is enough to make your
point. Start with a professional greeting and explain why you’re interested in
the position. Next, explain why your work experience and professional or
educational accomplishments are a perfect match to the job. Close out the
letter thanking them for their consideration and providing your contact
information in case they choose you for an interview.
3. Letter of Recommendation
Recommendations aren’t always required, but they’re a good piece of
supporting documentation. A recommendation is a letter from a former
employer, co-worker, or instructor that speaks highly of your work ethic. It
should highlight your accomplishments and your strengths as a professional or
student. This letter will tell employers what it’s like to work with you and
manage you, and how you might fare in the position. Always take the
opportunity to ask for letters of recommendation when you can. You never
know when you may need them.
4. References
Many job applications require a list of references. This is usually a
short list of your former employers, but employers may also ask for current or
past co-workers, or just someone outside of your family who can vouch for
your character. References work similar to a recommendation letter. The
employer will contact them and ask them questions about what it’s like to
work with you and what you’ve accomplished in the past. This will help the
employer get a better sense of who you are and whether you’re a good fit for
the position. Just let your references know that you’ve put them on the list so
they can expect a call or email from the employer. It’s courteous to let them
know ahead of time and you can also ask what they might say. And it’s a good
chance to keep in touch with your professional network.
5. Thank-You Note
It’s easy to forget this last component, but it can make more of a
difference than you may think. After the interview, you should always send a
note of thanks to the search committee. Whether you write a personalized note
or fire off an email, the message is the same: thank you! Even if you don’t
have the contact information of everyone who interviewed you, you can send
it to the administrative assistant and ask them to pass it along. A thank-you
note is a final chance to express your interest in the position and your gratitude
for the opportunity to be considered for it. Many candidates forget to follow
up, so a bit of thanks can help you stand out from your competition.