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Job Search
"How
to Conduct a Successful Job Search in the New Economy"
Oreste J. D’Aversa, President
Metropolitan Executive Search and Outplacement Services
Introduction
We all, at one time or
another, have had to look for a job.
Looking for a job is indeed a job in itself. This paper is meant to
be a primer for seeking employment. It by all means is not
inclusive of the multitude of job search techniques that are
currently available. All have merit but which is right for you?
That will come with trial and error. Though some things have
changed in the job search many still remain the same. Just
because a job search technique may be different does not mean
it is not worth investigating. As with any new skill, one has to
learn, practice and master that skill and so it is with job search
skills. To see results in your job search you should “plan your
work and work your plan”. There’s a job out there waiting for
you – it’s your task to go find it!
Self Assessment
The job search begins
with identification of your marketable
skills. This is such an important part of your job search yet most
of the time it is rushed or just over looked. You need to
communicate to your future employer, through your Resume,
what marketable skills you possess. You need to complete a full
skills inventory for yourself, which will be the foundation of your
Resume. Marketable skills that you possess usually come from
your past and current work environment. You should look
further and deeper, all of us possess more skills than our job
descriptions. A skill can be anything that you do well usually in a
work environment but also in a non-work environment. So take
your time and list what you have done in your jobs and in a non-
work environment. These will become your skill sets that
employers are interested in learning about you and the
marketable skills you can bring to them.
Changing
Careers
Being in between jobs is
also a good time to explore other career options. How do you learn
about other careers? One way is to network with other people in
different jobs and learn what they do and how they do it and see if it
is of interest to you. Do you require further education, additional
training or are your skills transferable, and so on? It’s a good time
to explore these options, network and make some new contacts, which may
help you land your next job. Another way is to take Career Assessment
tests. These tests can help point you in the direction of your next
career. They work on the premise that someone with certain likes and
dislikes would be suited for a certain career or job. Their results are
by no means written in stone but they do offer some guidance on your
next career move.
The Resume and
References
The Resume, the
foundation of your job search. The basic marketing tool for those
seeking employment. Your Resume is your brochure featuring you as the
product and separating you apart from others!
Did you know that most
Resumes are only reviewed for about 10 to 14 seconds by hiring
authorities?
That's why it's so important that your Resume be clear,
concise, and demonstrating your achievements as to get the readers
attention as soon as possible! What is the real purpose of a
Resume? You may think the purpose of a Resume is to get you a job.
In truth a well prepared resume gets you an interview and an interview
gets you a job. People hire people not resumes! What should be on
your Resume? The content of your resume is important to help you
get that phone call for that all important interview.
The components of the Resume should include:
-
Heading
-
Professional Summary
-
Work History with
Achievements
-
Professional
Development/Additional Skills
-
Education
You should also be prepared to provide
references to go
with your Resume. Your future employer will be interested in
your professional references so he or she can get a better
understanding about your work habits. You should have
between three (3) to six (6) professional references that your
future employer can call. A word about reference, make sure
you call them and tell them that you are using their name as a
reference and verify that their contact information is still valid.
The last you thing you want to happen is your future employer
goes to contact your reference and that reference cannot be
found!
Job Search Methods and Strategies
“Plan your work and
work your plan”. As with starting any
venture you should plan on what you want to accomplish so you
can track it against your goals. The job search is no different.
Job search methods come in two (2) types, an active job search
and a passive job search. An active job search is when you are
taking a “active” role in your search. By this I mean you are
making networking calls to schedule meetings, attending job
fairs and trying to create some activity relative to making things
happen on your behalf. By “passive” job search we mean that
you are answering help wanted ads, posting your Resume and
waiting for things to happen. Did you know that about 80% of
jobs are never posted or advertised? Studies have shown that
the active job search produces more results but both techniques
should be used in a balanced manner. These are just a few
methods and strategies for your job search. Though you may
not be comfortable with some of these techniques, I strongly
urge you to try them as they have produced favorable results for
those who used them. The best job to apply for is the job that
you are not competing against anyone else but yourself! These
may be new skills to you or skills you have not used in awhile.
Remember with any skill – learn, practice, master and you’ll be
on the road to finding a new job in less time!
Targeting and Researching Companies
Say you worked in a
retail environment for example. Targeting will help you focus your job
search to companies in your industry. Just think if you were to target
five (5) companies a day, times five (5) days a week, times four (4)
weeks in the month, that’s 125 companies a month!
Nothing is more impressive to an employer than a candidate who
has researched their company and comes in for an interview and is ready
to make a contribution to the company as quickly as possible. So few
people research companies and it shows in the interview process. This
is one reason why candidates are screened out. They know nothing about
the company.
These two areas are
extremely helpful in your job search and will separate you from other
candidates by demonstrating to your future employer how well prepared
you are and that you are the right candidate for the job!
Oral and
Written Communications
Communicating with
others be it in writing, on the phone,
or in person is a critical part of your job search. Every form of
communication has a reason and a purpose and you must
understand and master them so you become the candidate
selected for an interview and ultimately the job.
Oral communication deals with speaking skills while written
communication obviously deals with writing. While this may sound like a
minor point it is an important point nonetheless. When communicating
either in person or on the phone (oral communication) you need to be
clear, concise and to the point as to not waste the time of other people
and your time as well. An example would be if someone were to ask you,
“Tell me about yourself”. You are not to deliver a 20 minute monologue
about your life but rather a 90 second introduction about your
background, your current situation and ask a question of the person that
can help you in your career search.
Similarly with written communication, it should be short,
concise and to the point. Take for example the cover letter.
Below is a template of what should be included in your cover
letter. No rambling page after page about why you are seeking
employment but three short paragraphs, no more than 5 to 6
lines each.
Paragraph 1
-
Mention who you are and why you are contacting their organization.
Paragraph 2
-
Mention what you have accomplished for other companies and/or what you
can do for their company. Based on research you performed about their
company.
Paragraph 3
-
Call to Action! Here is where you want some action to happen! You
will call them, you want them to call you etc.
Communication with others, be it in an oral
or written
format, is critical to your job search success. If you need to
brush up on these skills, invest the time, the rewards are waiting
for you in the form of more interviews.
Networking
As was stated earlier about 80% of jobs are never
advertised or posted. This is called the “hidden job market”.
How do you find out about these jobs? One way is through
networking. You network in your personal life all of the time.
Why not do it in the professional life as well? When you need a
doctor, an accountant or a plumber you would contact people in
your immediate circle of friends and contact them for a referral.
The same holds true in the business world. Because you never
know who knows someone who knows someone else that has a
job that you fit perfectly. Networking can be with former co-
workers, vendors, civic associations, your spiritual group, your
doctor, lawyer, etc. Think you don’t know anyone? Think again
or join networking groups or create your own networking group.
The possibilities are endless. Networking, it’s an important skill
in the new economy.
Interviewing
The interview, this is
it, the make or break meeting that determines whether you get the job
you are seeking. Interviewing also is a skill that you can learn,
practice and master. You need to be prepared for your interviews. How
do you prepare for an interview? Do company research on the internet,
at the library, through networking. Your job is to find out as much as
you can about the company and demonstrate to your future employer how
you can be a problem solver, an asset to the company. Show them how you
can save them time, money and increase their productivity.
The Interview process is where the decision is made to
hire or not to hire a candidate. Do your research and be
prepared so you can become the candidate of choice and are
offered the job.
Salary Negotiation
Salary is only one part
of the total compensation package an employer offers a candidate.
Sometime an employer is limited by budget constraints on how much salary
can be offered to a candidate. This is where you need to get creative
and help your future employer craft a compensation package for you.
Maybe the employer cannot give you the salary you are requesting but
maybe they can move up your salary review whereby, based on measurable
goals, you get a raise before your scheduled review. Maybe you can get
an extra week of vacation or a one time sign-on bonus. So view your
relationship with your future employer as a partnership and see if you
can negotiate your compensation package. You might be pleasantly
surprised!
Self-Employment
Running your own business may
also be an option for employment. There is a wealth of information on
running your own business at your public library and on the internet.
There are also government agencies like SCORE (Service
Corp Of Retired Executives).
You can find their phone number in the white pages of your phone book.
A word about self-employment it’s not for everyone. Being good
at what you do is only one part of running a business. You will also
need to understand sales, marketing, accounting, computer technology,
customer service and other disciples depending on your business.
If self-employment is for you, strap yourself in and be prepared
for the ride of your professional life!
Conclusion
Planning your job
search is the most productive way to see
results in the shortest amount of time. There are still work
opportunities available in the new economy but there are also
more candidates applying for fewer positions. That’s why your
job search skills must be practiced so when the right opportunity
presents itself you are the right candidate for the position. As
with any new skill you must learn, practice and master them to
become effective. Should you need help with your job search
there are career service companies to help you every step of the
way. Sometimes it does make sense to work with a job search
professional who can offer you feedback and new insight into
your job search. Now go out there and get the job of your
dreams!
About the Author
Oreste “Rusty” D’Aversa has over
twenty years experience in various aspects of corporate work in a host
of different industries. In his current role as a author, speaker,
outplacement/career consultant and executive recruiter, Mr. D’Aversa
worked with such corporations as: IBM, American Express, TyCom and other
medium and small companies, as well as individuals in all phases of the
outplacement and recruiting function. From transitioning separated
employees from their current employer, to training and consulting of
various facets of the job search, entrepreneurship (Self – Employment)
and Personal Coaching, so individuals can reach their goals.
Mr. D’Aversa, is his capacity as an
executive recruiter, works with companies to find qualified candidates
for placement. He is one of the “gatekeepers” who prepares job
postings, reviews resumes and interview candidates for hiring companies.
Mr. D’Aversa’s well-rounded
background also includes experience in: Management, Sales, Marketing,
Accounting, Information Technology, Software and Services, Human
Resources and Recruiting. Having “Real World” experience as a human
resources/hiring manager and a recruiter, Mr. D’Aversa offers clients
practical solutions for getting hired in today’s economy.
Metropolitan
Executive Search and Outplacement Services
www.MESOS.biz
Direct: 201-391-1921
