| "Knock 3 Times" | | | | conversational setting, it's common for your "host" to |
| Time-Tested Job Search Tips: | | | | reveal job openings or names of contact persons |
| Allow enough time to do the job right. Our three-step | | | | about whom he or she knows. |
| approach requires about a month. According to the | | | | Target your Resume. Make sure your resume is |
| bulk of employment services "experts," at least half | | | | geared to the employers who receive it. Be sure |
| your time job hunting should be devoted to | | | | your resume is easy to read, and the most important |
| researching job leads and rehearsing for interviews. | | | | details stand out. Create more than one resume if |
| Commit your time, effort, and adequate finances. To | | | | you're applying to more than one industry. You might |
| be successful, your search should reflect quality, | | | | also expand the areas where you list skills. For |
| professional approaches, and sound thinking. Employ | | | | example, if you're in marketing, you're probably also |
| various approaches to see what works: Direct mail | | | | involved in sales and promotion. Figure out what |
| (such as our three-step approach), networking | | | | makes you good at what you enjoy doing, and |
| (discussed above), responding to classified ads, and | | | | market those accomplishments and skills in your |
| searching the Internet. Keep track of your mailings, | | | | resume. |
| interviews, and other activities so you know what | | | | Prepare an "elevator speech." Develop and memorize |
| works and why. That way, you can tailor your | | | | a three- or four-minute synopsis of your skills, |
| job-hunting campaign and make it more powerful and | | | | experience, and accomplishments. You never know |
| cost-effective. Be persistent - not aggressive - and | | | | who you'll meet, or when. Be ready! Know your |
| don't let laconic secretaries buffalo you. As long as | | | | abilities and how to communicate them. You must be |
| you maintain your cool and manners, you'll get the | | | | prepared to tell prospective employers and others |
| information you require. Of course, you always can | | | | you meet about the benefits you can provide. You |
| try calling early in the morning or later in the day and | | | | must be able to discuss your skills, and relate these |
| try to reach your intended target directly. | | | | to the industries that interest you. |
| Visit your local Department Of Labor (DOL) office. | | | | Learn how to talk about yourself. Throughout your |
| DOL has myriad job postings for you to review once | | | | job search, you will speak with many people at |
| you've signed up for the benefits you are due, as | | | | different levels. You need to be comfortable |
| well as veteran services, job counseling, equipment, | | | | discussing yourself and your talents with other |
| and facilities you can employ in your job search. | | | | people. Keep in mind that you never know who may |
| Get organized. You also need to remember to whom | | | | end up being useful to your job hunt. |
| you have talked and when, and the results of that | | | | Practice for each interview. Rehearsing is key to |
| meeting. Maintain a "Lessons Learned" file that will | | | | performing well during interviews. Ask friends, |
| help you prepare for the next interviews. | | | | relatives, or career services counselors to help you |
| Create a "To Do" list every day. This helps you | | | | formulate strong answers to questions you might not |
| organize priorities, record accomplishments, and stay | | | | anticipate. Listen to our "Effective Interview |
| focused on finding a job. It also keeps you from | | | | Techniques" tapes or CD, and prepare yourself. |
| overlooking important activities, deadlines, or | | | | Stay confident. Job hunting takes time and energy. |
| follow-up responsibilities. | | | | Remain positive, and get ready for the challenges |
| Be prepared. Carry copies of your resume at all | | | | ahead. Don't be disgruntled if you just graduated and |
| times. It's also a smart idea to have fresh copies of | | | | are still seeking work. Most students do find jobs |
| your resume "on hand," in case you're called to an | | | | after graduation. And, you can, too - if you conduct |
| interview at the last minute. | | | | your job search in a professional, disciplined, and |
| Uncover all there is about employers in your field. | | | | timely manner. |
| Remain current on issues and developments in the | | | | Time-Tested Internet Search Tips:o Focus your |
| industry. Read trade journals, professional publications, | | | | resume on the type of work you've performed, and |
| and local newspapers. In fact, most major cities have | | | | in which you hope to find a job. It's essential the |
| "Business Journals" that publish invaluable rosters of | | | | prospective employer recognizes your skills, and the |
| companies and organizations. | | | | benefits you could bring to his or her organization.o |
| It's extremely impressive during an interview if you | | | | Don't make your resume "too busy" with boxes, |
| know about the latest merger or coup in the | | | | fancy typefaces, or interactive links. It needs to |
| industry. Also, find out about the organization's | | | | reflect a professional appearance and tone.o Don't |
| culture. Employee- and family-friendly? (For example, | | | | use your employer's resources - Internet account, |
| child care.) Average age of employees, racial mix, and | | | | computer, copy machine, or printer. (And, certainly |
| predominant gender? You can uncover data like | | | | not the postage meter!)o Make sure your resume |
| these from Annual Reports, newsletters, local | | | | typeface translates well over the Internet. With |
| publicity, and talking with employees. | | | | some typefaces, it's hard to tell an "I" from an "l."o |
| Create a contact data base. Write down the | | | | Make certain your web-based e-mail account features |
| employers you contact., the date you sent your | | | | a business-like name. Prospective employers probably |
| resume, contacts made, people talked to, and notes | | | | won't click on such handles as "CoolChick" or |
| about those contacts. Keep a notepad with you at all | | | | "LoverBoy."o Protect your privacy when job-hunting |
| times, and take notes as soon as you hear about an | | | | on the Internet - especially when posting your |
| opportunity or when you leave an interview. Make | | | | resume to various search engines. Some employers |
| certain to update your data base daily. | | | | are not above checking such sites to see if |
| Follow-up with leads immediately. If you learn about a | | | | employee names pop up.o Send your resume as a |
| position late in the day, call as soon as you're | | | | "pasted-in" document rather than as an "attachment." |
| organized. Don't wait until the next day. | | | | Often, the latter get lost in the Net's "Bermuda |
| "Cold call" organizations and set up "information visits." | | | | Triangle."o Always include a cover letter that |
| This way, you'll meet the people who work in the | | | | summarizes requirements outlined in the ad to which |
| areas or departments where you'd like to be | | | | you're responding, as well as pointing out the benefits |
| employed. You need to take the initiative and meet | | | | you can bring to the organization. Also, since this may |
| prospective employers face to face. Information | | | | be the your only opportunity, it's a great idea to |
| visits let you do this without the stress and stigma | | | | thank the job-poster for reviewing your submission |
| of the typical interview situation. In this more | | | | or application. |