Job Search Strategies

STOP -- Before you go any further, did you know you can call the Center and schedule an appointment with a counselor if you need help with your job search?

SECTIONS

• Introduction
• Self-Assessment
• Personal Qualities Checklist
• Transferable Skills Checklist
• Values
• Selecting an Occupation
• Researching the Job Market
• Presentation
• Implementation
• Interviewing
• The Job Offer
• Your New Job

INTRODUCTION

The American workplace has undergone some major changes in the recent past. Corporations and organizations have merged, restructured, downsized, and made acquisitions and these changes have impacted the workforce by increasing the mobility of workers. Job seekers may be recent college graduates, those who have lost their position or those who have a job but are looking to make a change. Regardless of occupation or level of experience, there are some universal aspects to finding a new job.

Searching for a job is a process that leads to making an important decision. To be realistic, there are several guiding principles that should be kept in mind:

• Finding the right job is going to take time.
• Being organized and having a plan will provide structure to the process.
• Assessing yourself will let you know how your skills can benefit an employer.
• Researching careers and the job market will help you understand where you fit in.
• Self-confidence is required since you will most likely be dealing with rejection.
• A job search takes dedication and perseverance. In other words, you cannot quit until you are successful.

The information provided on this site is designed to help you approach the job search in a systematic way using proven methods to achieve the desired result. Simply stated, following these outlined steps can empower you to find the right job for your chosen career path.

Accept the idea that getting a job is a job in itself. You need to devote energy, space and time to the process. Assessing yourself and the current job market before you start applying for jobs will give you a better chance of landing job offers that are a good fit. Some suggest setting up a home office where you can prepare documents, handle communications and keep accurate records of your activities.

Timeline

In the current job market it is not unusual to spend several months looking for a professional position. If you are making a career change or are currently working, it could take longer. It can be helpful to set interim goals. Here is a sample three month timeline.

MONTH 1

Self-Assessment
Job/Industry Research
Resume Preparation

MONTH 2

Informational Interviews
Marketing Plan
Job Development

MONTH 3

Company & Position Research
Interview Preparation
Networking & Resume Circulation
Follow-up and Negotiation

As you can see, the process has several steps and requires organization, dedication, preparation and professionalism. Don’t be passive. Do your research, analyze the information, develop a plan and follow through. Having these skills will be useful throughout your lifetime. They are the keys to your success.

SELF-ASSESSMENT

When you are looking for employment, you are actually playing the role of a salesperson and the product being marketed is YOU. The key to successful selling is to "Know Your Product". How much do you know about yourself in terms of a career?

One of the best ways to develop this type of understanding is through self-evaluation. The following exercises are designed to assist you in making an honest evaluation. Try to be objective and show a willingness to face the reality of the “TRUE YOU."

Self Evaluation Worksheet

List below your personal strengths and weaknesses. For example, a personal strength could be something like ambition or honesty; a weakness could be shyness, poor communication skills, or wasting time.

Personal Qualities Checklist

Review this list of personal qualities and skills and check those that you believe you exhibit. [ pdf file]

Transferable Skills Checklist

Review this list of transferable skills and check all the skills that you think you have. [ pdf file]

Values

Whether we are aware of it or not, our lives are guided by the values we act upon. Values are the principles or ideals that we hold most important. The values that bring the most meaning to life are different for every person. These individual values are shown by the way we act and the decisions we make, not by general statements or feelings.

Here is a sample list of values. Choose 8 which are the most important to you.

Now that you have selected your most important values list them in rank order of importance.

1.____________________________________

2.____________________________________

3.____________________________________

4.____________________________________

5.____________________________________

6.____________________________________

7.____________________________________

8.____________________________________

Do the values you have selected match the career choices you are considering? Think about your values when you are selecting the organizations to which you will apply.

SELECTING AN OCCUPATION

Completing the previous exercises should have given you enough self-awareness to move in the direction of your next career goal. Consider your individual skills, abilities, interests and values. Develop a picture of the type of position that allows you to make a contribution to an organization while achieving personal satisfaction. This is your chance to match your needs and skills with the requirements of an occupation.

Several other factors need to be considered before you begin to research the job market. Clarify the type of work that would suit you at this time in your life. You may be looking for part-time, full-time, temporary or free-lance employment, or you may be thinking of starting your own business. Take a look at your budget and know your financial requirements. If you are at the beginning of your career you may be looking for a way to make your passion your work. If you are mid-career or changing careers, you may be planning a transition to a new function or a new industry. If more education or specialized training is required to meet your next goal, how will you handle it? Whatever the situation, you have the best chance of finding the right job for you when you have taken a good look at what you have to offer and the type of work that you desire.

Through research you will find which careers match your criteria and where the opportunities are. Try the following resources:

• Library – Use your local or college library .
• College Career Center – The BCC Cooperative Education and Career Development Center’s resource library is a good place to obtain information on specific careers, occupational trends and information on the fastest growing industries and careers.
• Online Resources - The internet is a good source of information. Start with general references and when you have identified a few areas of interest, look at more specific publications and websites.
• Career Counseling - This may be a good time to seek assistance from career planning professionals who can help you narrow your focus and set goals that are realistic and achievable.

RESEARCHING THE JOB MARKET

Before you start to apply for jobs, you should research the current job market. You want to apply for jobs where and when there is the most opportunity. What type of information should you obtain?

Industries

No matter what the economic climate, there are always some industries that are doing well, some that are experiencing growth, and some that are having reductions. Following the terrorist attacks in New York City, financial markets and the travel industry had downturns while security firms and insurance companies experienced growth. New Jersey is home to a large number of pharmaceutical companies making that one of the top industries in the state. It is a good idea to find out which industries in your location employ the most people or are growing. The healthy businesses have the opportunities.

Salary Ranges

The best way to be sure you are paid well for your work is to learn your value in the marketplace. Current salary information is available in publications and on the internet. NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) publishes a Salary Guide for recent college graduates twice each year. The U.S. Department of Labor has a website that contains a wide variety of information including data on wages, benefits and growth industries. Research salary information by occupations and within industries. Accountants and marketing managers have higher earnings in major corporations than in government agencies and non-profit organizations. Consider your educational level, skill set and experience, and calculate a probable salary range.

Trends and Outlook

Looking to the future is important when making career decisions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics produces The Occupational Outlook Handbook containing information on almost all careers in the U.S. It uses population and labor force data to track things such as the fastest growing occupations and the occupations with the greatest number of job openings. Each state also has a department of labor that will have this type of local information available. While it is not a good idea to choose a career just because there are job opportunities, you can use the information to target industries or occupations.

Informational Interviewing & Job Shadowing

One way to learn about a career field is to conduct an informational interview. This is not a job interview, but an opportunity to meet with someone who is involved in some aspect of a career that interests you. In general, people enjoy speaking about their profession and offering advice and encouragement. People to interview can be acquaintances, alumni from your school or neighbors who are working in your desired field or position. Contact the person selected and make it clear that you are not looking for a job, but want information about their profession. Prepare questions ahead of time and spend most of the time listening. This is a good time to get current information on industry requirements and future trends. If job shadowing can be arranged, you would follow someone as they work and gain insight into the everyday activities of a particular profession.

PRESENTATION

Resume Preparation

Now that you have spent the time to assess your skills and interests and researched possible career paths and the current job market, you are ready to work on presentation.

Your resume is a marketing tool. It is the first presentation of your qualifications to a potential employer and determines whether you get the opportunity to interview. Creating a resume may seem to be a difficult task, however, there are many resources available to help you. You can go, to the library or use the internet as a source of help in creating your resume. There are some sites with samples and formats for electronic submission directly to potential employers. Come to the BCC Cooperative Education & Career Development Center to find books with samples of successful, effective resumes. There is also a Resume Writing Guide created by the staff specifically for BCC students and graduates. On campus group workshops and individual appointments for assistance in creating a resume are also offered.

Marketing

Your resume is done and now you are ready to “Market” the new and improved you. The internet has changed the job search process. Current openings on popular job sites, government and private listings, newspaper classified ads, and company websites all are available on the computer. Once a position or company has been identified, you need to create a cover letter as well as customize your resume to reflect the job title and specifications.

A cover letter should be kept simple and brief. It should specify the position for which you are applying, introduce your qualifications relative to that position, and your intention of following up (samples and assistance are available at the Cooperative Education & Career Development Center).

A resume should never be sent without a cover letter.

On line applications, requests for email or on-line resumes are becoming more and more popular. It is important that you follow the directions of the company. These formats can also be found in our Resume Writing Guide.

It is most important to conduct your marketing campaign in an organized manner. Keep a log of all resumes sent and follow up with phone calls when possible. Check your messages every day! Any responses from employers should be acknowledged as soon as possible and requests for additional materials (for example, references) should be sent immediately.

All contacts should be handled in a professional manner.

• Answering Machines- It is most important that your answering machines have a business appropriate message and that you check your messages every day.
• Email - If your email address does not look professional, you can create a new one for the Job Search.
• Cell Phone- If the telephone number on your resume is a cell phone, do not answer when driving or in a noisy situation. Allow your phone to take messages and return the calls when you have pencil and paper on hand.

Networking

Many people think that networking only refers to executives exchanging
resumes or business cards at a meeting or in a professional setting. However, we all know many positions of all types are filled by referred candidates. The aim then is to become one of the recommended candidates and get your resume referred to the right person.

In order to be able to do this, you need to let people know you are looking for a job. Have your resume handy or at least the means to write an address down so that you can send it to the person with whom you are networking. Relatives, friends, neighbors, classmates, and former co-workers are all possible sources for networking. Professional associations, clubs, community groups, churches, synagogues and mosques provide opportunities to make contact with people who can help.

Many companies consider an employee recommendation as the best sources of recruiting so do not hesitate to ask for help in getting your resume to the person who does the hiring. In some instances employees receive a bonus for referring qualified candidates. It is most important to follow up with the individual to whom you have been referred and to keep the person who forwarded your resume aware of your progress. Taking advantage of these sources does make a difference. In a tight job market such an advantage can get you the interview.

IMPLEMENTATION

Sources and Leads

Job openings are found in many places and in many formats. Now that you have created a resume and networked with individuals that might be able to connect you with a potential employer, it is time to expand your job search.

The internet makes it possible for a candidate to visit sites that are focused on employment opportunities in their location of choice, industry of interest or jobs that match their qualifications. An extensive list of helpful internet sites can be found at the Cooperative Education & Career Development Center.

Homepages of companies can provide an applicant with information about the company, lists of job openings and directions on how to apply. Professional associations related to your career or industry can also be a source of job postings, and a link to the actual company often is provided.

Job Ads

Major national as well as local newspapers are still used by employers to advertise job openings. A candidate can access listings over the internet, however, in some instances the papers have made this access complicated so purchase of the Sunday editions can be the best way to proceed.

Classified ads are expensive. In general, therefore, information is kept to a minimum and some abbreviations are used. It is important to become familiar with terms that are routinely used and to look under multiple headings to be sure to find all jobs for which you may want to apply. A list of commonly used abbreviations and their meanings is found on the following page.

Employment Abbreviations

It is necessary to be able to read job ads effectively. The following information is what you need to know and can usually be found in a well written job ad:

• What is the job title?
• What is the education/training required?
• What experience is required?
• Who is the prospective employer?
• Job location
• What type of work?
• What is the work schedule?
• What is the salary?
• What are the benefits?
• How to apply

The qualifications listed are very often those of the ideal candidate. If you have most of the skills and experience listed in the ad, you should feel free to send your resume. If industry specific or technical terms appear that you are not familiar with, be sure to research them. Specific computer or technical requirements should be used as a guideline. For example, if bi-lingual English/Korean is a requirement, do not apply unless you have this language skill. On the other hand, if you have taken a class in a specific software package and have the other skills listed you should not decide that a lack of specific experience rules you out.

Making Contact

Use the information in the job posting to customize your resume. List your skills and accomplishments featuring those that match the job requirements first. The specific job title should be included in your resume objective and always referred to in your cover letter.

Making contact and follow through is the next step in the job search. Follow all directions. Use email, fax, phone or traditional mail to get your information to the potential employer. In your cover letter, unless specifically discouraged, tell them you will follow-up. Then do! It is often the candidate that calls about his or her resume that gets that last appointment. Keep a record of your responses. Get complete contact information such as name, title, phone, extension, email, etc. Mark the date and keep this information for future use.

In most instances “walk-ins” are not encouraged. However, in some cases, such as hotels and restaurants, they may result in an opportunity to fill out an application or even on the spot interviews.

Follow Through and Focus

A Job Search is and should be seen as a job. Persistence, organization and follow-through will make the difference. A “no” from an employer should result in your asking for a referral to “someone who might be hiring’”. Be sure to thank your contact for their time and help. You never know where and when you may meet again.

Keep focused. You cannot find what you are looking for unless you know what it looks like. No matter what the job market, you only need one job. It is important to know that it will take time and that there will be some rejection. However, one thing is sure- You will not find a job unless you are actively out there looking!

• Identify your career interest
• Focus your marketing on specific jobs
• Develop and pursue all leads
• Network extensively, and
• Stay energized!

INTERVIEWING

Once you have successfully completed your self-assessment, career research, have prepared an effective resume and applied, you should start receiving calls from employers. You must now prepare to interview.

Before the Interview

Do research on the employer. The interviewer will expect you to know a few critical things about the organization such as the main products or services, new developments, and how the company views itself. The company homepage will give you this information. Read the mission statement. You should know where the company fits into the marketplace, whether it is experiencing growth or decline, and an idea of the financial bottom line. If available, this information could come from newspaper articles or your network of contacts.

Prepare answers to questions. There are some questions that are almost always asked at a job interview.

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why are you the right person for this job?
• What are your major strengths and weaknesses?
• Why did you leave your last job?

Think ahead to how you will answer questions like these. If you want some ideas you can refer to a book or article on interviewing, attend a workshop or pick up an Interviewing Skills handout at the Cooperative Education & Career Development Center.

Plan your wardrobe and look professional. First impressions are lasting ones. The initial visual impact that a candidate makes carries significant weight in the interviewer’s overall impression. Remember to dress for the interview and not for the job. For most full time employment interviews, both men and women should probably wear a suit, however, appropriate attire varies from industry to industry. There are more specific guidelines available in books on job interviewing and you can always try to find out what the dress code is within the organization and dress up or down accordingly. Overall, remember your clothes are sending a message about you to the interviewer and you want that message to be polished and professional.

Gather the materials you will need. Bring copies of your resume and any work samples that the employer may expect. Be sure you know the location of the interview (some people check out the location the day before to reduce anxiety) and allow extra time so that you arrive early.

During the Interview

Be on time. Allow plenty of travel time and be sure to be at the appointed place a minimum of ten minutes early.

Maintain eye contact and be aware of body language. Greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm, professional handshake. Seat yourself in a comfortable business appropriate position and remember that looking the interviewer in the eye is a trustworthy sign that builds positive feelings.

Think carefully before you answer questions. It is acceptable to gather your thoughts before you answer the interviewer’s questions. It may help you to include information from your research and preparation. If you are asked a question with a “yes” or “no” answer, try to provide an example from your work experience or educational background.

Be yourself. Let the interviewer find out who you are and what you can bring to the organization. Remember, you are also trying to find out if the organization is a good fit for you.

Ask questions. You will almost certainly be asked if you have any questions, so you should have a set of questions prepared to ask the interviewer. You may want to know about training, the main responsibilities of the job, your potential supervisor or the immediate challenges of the position. If all your questions are answered earlier in the interview, tell the interviewer, “I had questions about the training and challenges of the position, but they were answered during our discussion.” Not having questions makes you look unprepared.

Do not raise the topic of salary, benefits or vacation. The interviewer should initiate the discussion of salary and benefits and sometimes the subject will not be raised until the second interview. Premature salary discussions are asking what the company can do for you when you should be indicating what you can do for the company.

Know the next step. Before you leave, be sure you have the name (correct spelling) of the interviewer, their title and contact information. Get a business card if you can. Also, ask when you can expect to hear from the employer. This is a good time to express your interest in the position and ask for the next interview.

After the Interview

Once the interview is over there are several things you can do to enhance your chances of obtaining a job offer.

Review and analyze the interview and make notes about what was discussed and what were the strong points of the position and organization. This is especially important if you are interviewing for several similar positions. Record the date and contact information of the interviewer in your job search log.

Send a thank you note. A follow-up or thank you letter is a common practice. It allows you the opportunity to review the main points discussed in the interview, add any relevant information that you may have forgotten to mention, and shows your professionalism and attention to detail. It shows the employer you are willing to take the extra step. Thank the interviewer for the opportunity and restate your interest in the position. Consider the interview complete when you drop the letter in the mail.

Follow up with the employer. This is where it benefits you to know the time frames and next steps in the organization’s hiring plan. If you have not been contacted in the expected time, follow up by phone or mail.

Stay positive and plan your next move. Continue to conduct an active job search until you have been offered, and have accepted a position and have a start date.

“It happens…just take a few moments, relax, collect your thoughts and I’m sure your name will come to you.”

THE JOB OFFER

Even if your job search seems like a long process, there will come a time when you will be offered a position. As with all other aspects of the job search, it benefits you to be prepared ahead of time to handle the offer.

Research

When you begin the job search, develop a realistic salary expectation. Research the salaries for similar job titles and know what you are worth.

• Use salary guides or websites such as salary.com or Jobstar.org which has over 300 salary surveys
• Prepare to negotiate by reading articles or books such as Dynamite Salary Negotiations by Ron and Caryl Krannich.
• Look for company policy on merit increases and promotional raises

Evaluating the Offer

Full time job offers typically include a dollar amount for salary and a benefits package. Some benefit plans are better than others. Add the salary amount to the approximate cost of the benefits and then you have the true value of the offer. Here are some aspects to consider:

• Health Plans
• Savings/Retirement Plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Miscellaneous perks and benefits such as company car, profit sharing, bonuses, expense account, matching funds, educational reimbursement

In order to make a good decision, you must evaluate the entire package, not only the financial aspects but the impact of the job on your life. Here are some other aspects to consider:

• Job satisfaction
• Potential for additional training, growth, advancement
• Working conditions
• Convenience, travel time and means, hours, telecommuting

YOUR NEW JOB

It happened! You are moving into a new position that shows promise. What can you anticipate? On the left side is the good news. On the right side are some challenges you may face before the first week is over.
THE GOOD NEWS THE CHALLENGES

• Your employer has confidence in you or you would not have been chosen in the first place
• You may be working for a demanding supervisor.
• Your ability to contribute will be respected by your co-workers.
• You may not receive all of the help you would like or need.
• Your organization wants you to experience personal growth.
• Not everyone will welcome you with open arms.
• You are a valuable asset and the more you learn the more valuable you will be.
• Your new working environment (including the negative attitudes of fellow workers) may not be everything you hoped for.
• You obvisouldy have confidence in yourself or you would not have accepted the position.
• You may find you need to upgrade your skills in a hurry.
• You will not be expected to work with maximum efficiency in the beginning.
• There may be some pressures you did not anticipate.
• You probably were hired as much for what you can learn as for what you already know.
• You may discover that you are more fatigued at the end of the day than you expected.

There is no such thing as a perfect supervisor, perfect working environment or perfect organization. Your challenge is to make the most out of what you find on a day-to-day basis and move ahead. In thirty days, after you have had the opportunity to see the big picture, you can make a more perceptive and accurate evaluation of your situation.

GOOD LUCK!