Job Search Strategies

Looking for a job can be the hardest job you'll ever have. Treating the job hunt like a job is the first strategy you need as you look to get started on or change your career path.
 

Beginning the Job Search Process

To begin your job search, try taking stock of your skills, interests, accomplishments and goals. Make a list that has columns for past jobs, current skills and desired careers. Evaluate what you are lacking, if anything, to get the type of job you want. While some may find that they need to further their education to get into their chosen careers, others may realize that they only need to start aggressively applying to job openings.
 
As you start applying for available positions, figure out what makes you special and decide how best to communicate it to a potential employer. Be sure you're honest about your skills and try to match them to the right job.

Attack the Job Market

Because jobs don't always fall from the sky, networking can be your best friend. This will be the centerpiece of your job search. Try contacting friends, colleagues, even relatives. Tell them you're job hunting and be specific when explaining your interests and skills to them.
 
Expanding your network by joining professional groups associated with your interests can also be very helpful. Subscribe to job search newsletters, and search the Internet for job searching discussion boards.

Finding Help

Employment agencies, headhunters and Internet sources are excellent aids for finding job opportunities. However, before signing up for an agency, be sure you understand what they will do for you and how much they charge. While some job agencies charge companies with job openings, others may cost you money to place you in an open position.
 
In some cases, temporary jobs are a great way to learn new skills and gain more experience while looking for a permanent position. Working as an independent contractor or consultant could lead to a full-time job.
 
Where to Look for Job Listings
Job hunters can find countless sources for job listings. Along with traditional ads in newspapers and industry magazines, the best places to look for jobs include career search Web sites, such as:
  • Career Builder
  • company Web sites (i.e. the site of the company in which you are interested)
  • craigslist
  • Monster
  • Yahoo's Hot Jobs.

Writing a Cover Letter

Onceyour job hunt strikes gold, it's time to write a brief and concise cover letter that states clearly what your qualifications are and how they match the job you want. Making it obvious why you are right for the position will help you to stand out. Be sure to include details from the ad to highlight that you read it thoroughly and are a good candidate for the job.
 
For example, if the job listing calls for a "highly motivated self-starter," be sure to use some part of this phrase in your cover letter to catch the employer's attention.
 
Similarly, be sure to double check your cover letter (and resume) for any mistakes. Grammatical errors in cover letters and resumes make you look sloppy, careless and unprofessional.
 
Top Resume Mistakes
When applying for jobs, the most common mistakes people have in their resumes include:
  • bad or unspecific objective statement
  • clutter, making the resume hard to read or too busy
  • inappropriate lengths, which can include having a resume that is either too long or too short
  • lack of specificity
  • listing duties, not qualifications
  • mistakes on phone numbers, addresses or names
  • typos and grammar errors
  • using the same resume for every job application.

Keep Track of Your Progress

Keeping records of your progress as you apply for jobs and begin to hear from potential employers will help to organize your job search. Write down all the details, such as:
  • follow-up efforts
  • interviews
  • referrals for jobs.
This will also help in building up your network.

Be Persistent

Try not to get to discouraged. Everyone goes through this process at sometime or other. Try to stay positive. Look at the job search as a challenge. It can help you make the job hunt less stressful.
 
Resources
 
AllBusiness (n.d.). Ten Effective Job Search Strategies. Retrieved on February 10, 2008, from the AllBusiness Web site.
 
McKay,Dawn Rosenberg (n.d.). Top 6 Rules for Networking. Retrieved February 10, 2008, from the About.com Web site.
 
Monster (n.d.). Resumes, Interviews, Networking, Letters, etc. Retrieved on February 10, 2008, from the monster.com Web site.
 
Robert Half International Company (n.d.). Job Search Strategies. Retrieved on February 10, 2008, from the Office Team Web site.