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TIPS ON SEARCHING
FOR
WORK
Tips To Finding Work
Timing is everything when making follow-up calls
You see your dream job advertised in the newspaper, work diligently at polishing
your resume, email or fax it right away to the employer.
Message to underemployed: overhaul search
Re-establishing yourself after job loss, especially during erratic and
unpredictable times, is extremely taxing. And for people who have taken on a
low-level job to make ends meet while continuing to search for "good" work, the
task becomes even harder. Still, looking for work is a skill, one that can be
built and enhanced.
Confidence is like the economy — it rebounds
Confidence is a fickle attribute, and months of unemployment can easily erode
it. However, it's possible to rebuild (and build) confidence. And if yours is at
a low ebb at the moment, now's the time to take up the challenge. The economy is
improving and the job market along with it. Rebuilding waning confidence is not
a single event. It's a process. Here's how to get started
Networking key to the hidden job market
Not understanding how to access the "hidden job market" is likely to prevent you
from completing a successful job search. Basically what is meant by "hidden job
market" are all those jobs which are not advertised. They are the jobs you find
through word-of-mouth.
Keeping self-esteem vital to job search
Being out of work is a crash course in
finding work. Look forward to each one, rise to the
challenge, come across as an energetic, powerful, assertive person.
A little socializing can go a long way
Entrepreneurs are not the only ones who can gain from networking, researchers
say. Employees who master the art of social engagement, or schmooze, make more
money, receive more stellar evaluations, and are apt to scale the corporate
ladder faster than those who speak their minds or adhere to a particular set of
values.
Marketing yourself counts with skills you offer
As part of any employment search, networking is a multi-layered process that
begins with the task of drumming up "contacts" - people who may be able to hire
you or help you in some way.
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Do's
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Job hunting is a full time job - preferably
35-40 hours a week.
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Take the initiative. Meet employers
face-to-face.
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Changes of getting a job are better with
smaller companies than with large ones.
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Network.
Making use of your existing, or expanded, list of contacts to identify potential
employers and to learn of jobs which may be of interest to you. Ask family, friends, school, employment, professional, and community.
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Do homework on yourself. Identify your
skills in great detail, and in priority.
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Research your potential employer. Find out
all you can about the organization--show an interest.
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Be persistent - not aggressively obnoxious.
Keep at the job hunt - make return visits.
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Sell your skills, not your "old" occupation.
Being a "farmer", a "homemaker," or a "steel worker" can limit you.
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Discover or develop alternate names for the
work you do - or alternate jobs where you can use the same skill.
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Investigate many different organizations or
businesses for job openings. Don’t limit yourself to one type of organization.
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Don’t "put all of your eggs in one basket" -
such as relying only on relatives, just sending out resumes, or just applying
to your first employer choice.
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Determine what makes you better at the job
you are after than other people that do what you do, then market it!
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Get as many other people helping you look
for a job as possible. Friends, relatives, coworkers, professionals, and so
on.
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Look as sharp as possible. Be clean,
well-dressed and alert.
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Be sure to write thank you notes to whomever
assists you in your job search - daily if possible.
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No one "owes" you a job. It’s up to you to
"win" a job by showing a potential employer you have the right attitude and
skill.
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Do Not
POOR RESUME
The resume is used as a
quick screening device by most employers. If it doesn’t strike them as
outstanding, your chances of an interview may be nil. The resume should describe
education and experience in a concise, well-written format. More importantly, it
should emphasize accomplishments over duties and responsibilities.
FAILURE TO NETWORK
Friends,
acquaintances, and people they know should be sought out and their information
used in developing job leads.
LIMITING JOB SOURCES
Classified ads, employment agencies, and other sources are often overlooked. Use
all possible methods to learn of appropriate jobs.
CANNED APPROACH
Reprinted cover
letters, quick and unimaginative phone calls, and short non-responsive resumes
save time for the candidate but turn off employers who feel they will take short
cuts in carrying out job responsibilities.
A SHORT WORK WEEK
For the unemployed, the job
search should be a 40 + hours per week proposition. You don’t get a job by only
using a part of your free time.
INADEQUATE INTERVIEW PREPARATION
Each situation is a
separate challenge and requires unique preparation. Responses must be timely,
flexible, and address the specific needs of the employer.
POOR INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES
A "give and take" honest relationship must be established during the interview.
Candidates should exchange information while listening attentively, selling
themselves, and demonstrating enthusiasm for the job and the company.
RESTRICTED JOB SEARCH
Restrictions on
geographical locations, commuting time, parking facilities, size and type of
employer, and other personal matters should be secondary to the overall merit of
an opportunity. Financial and professional pressures may also change your
outlook later and make the opportunity more feasible. Remember that you can
always decline a job offer if it is judged to be unattractive or a better one
develops.
NEGATIVE ATTITUDE
Candidates who "have all
the answers", criticize their managers, and second guess employers are seldom
invited for second interviews. Negative attitudes toward prior jobs are seen as
predictors of future performance.
POOR PHYSICAL APPEARANCE.
While there is no
need to look like a movie star, candidates who do not demonstrate self-respect
by creating a positive image are usually judged to be unacceptable.
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Hints on Networking
Making use of your existing, or expanded, list of contacts to identify potential
employers and to learn of jobs which may be of interest to you.
Ask
family, friends, school, employment, professional, and community.
Hints for Networking:
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Share a copy of your latest resume with your
network.
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Don’t ask them for a job, just ask for their
ideas about where you might turn.
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Turn to them again if your initial contacts
do not produce enough.
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When you accept a job, notify them and thank
them for their help.
Steps to Networking
START BY CONTACTING PEOPLE THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW
Your friends,
family, neighbors, co-workers, etc. should be part of your initial network.
Don’t hesitate to let people know that you are job hunting. Remember, making
contacts is part of the job search process.
GIVE YOUR CONTACTS ADEQUATE INFORMATION
Specify your skills, qualifications, and the type of job that you are pursuing.
It is a good idea to make a copy of your resume available. The resume will give
the individuals in your network a better idea of your skills and career goals as
well as help them recommend you more effectively to prospective employers should
the opportunity arise.
KEEP RECORDS OF YOUR NETWORKING ACTIVITIES
Record the name of each person that you contact and the information which they
provide. A filing system using index cards will keep your information organized
and provide a visual reminder of your progress. Having a record of each of your
contacts will assist you when contacting referrals and when following up on
prospective job leads. Never discard information. What may seem irrelevant this
week could be useful in the future.
FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE INFORMATION THAT YOU ARE GIVEN
This is the crucial
step in networking. Networking is not limited to receiving tips on job leads,
your contacts can also provide useful information about businesses and
industries and referrals to people employed in your career field. As you check
out job leads, contact referrals, and initiate contact with prospective
employers you should be continuously gathering further information and
referrals. As your network expands your prospects of discovering job openings
increases.
BE AWARE OF THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU MAKE
Project a friendly, confident image. Never put pressure on anyone to find a job
for you. Whenever contacting someone you do not know well, write the questions
that you wish to ask beforehand. You will feel and appear both better prepared
and less nervous. Also, go over any information that you already have which may
be helpful. When
initially contacting your referrals always indicate who referred you to them.
Remember to express your appreciation to everyone who takes the time to speak
with you regardless of whether they were able to provide the information that
you wanted.
FOLLOW-UP AS YOU ESTABLISH YOUR NETWORK
Maintain contact with the people in your network. Remind them that you are still
committed to your job search and let them know of your progress. Should you talk
to someone in a company or business who is especially helpful, write him or her
a thank you letter. Besides expressing your appreciation, a follow-up thank you
letter serves as a reminder of your previous contact and provides a written
record of your address and phone number. When appropriate include a copy of your
resume.
(Adapted from Job Hunting: A Self-Directed Guide by Charlie Mitchell and Lauren
Collins).
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Cold Calling
Make a favorable impression on
prospective employers. How do you make a
good impression and get the information you need? The following guidelines can
help you become more effective on the telephone.
Be Prepared
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Write down questions you want to ask ahead of time. Practice asking your
questions out loud to yourself or practice them with a friend or family member.
Do not to speak too fast!
Before you pick up the phone, take a few deep breaths to help you relax.
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Know What to Say
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When preparing what you want to say, keep these points in mind.
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Be
Prepared. Write down
questions you want to ask ahead of time.
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Identify Yourself. Give
your first and last name.
If you were referred, give
the name of your referral.
State the
purpose of the call
Requests for information about occupations/businesses.
Inquiries into job prospects.
Introductory.
Requests for appointments and interviews.
Requests for applications.
Inquiries about a specific job opening.
Be ready to
provide information about yourself if asked. Keep the information brief and
related to your personal characteristics, skills, and experience. sk for names
of other people to contact, job leads, suggestions or advice. Thank the
person for their assistance and time.
Be Specific
Know what you want to ask. Be clear and brief.
Be Courteous
Never make a bad impression by being rude. You will have an easier time getting
to the people who can hire you if you are courteous and friendly.
Be Assertive and not
Pushy
Be firm and
persistent about getting your questions answered. You may have to talk to two or
three people to get the information you need. If the person you are speaking to
is not helpful or even unpleasant, don’t get flustered or angry. Keep a calm and
polite voice and ask if there is another person who can help you or suggest
calling back at a better time.
Take Notes
Be prepared to write down
the information you receive and the name and position of the person you are
speaking to. It’s too difficult to remember everything and you don’t want to
appear disorganized by having to call back with the same question.
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