Job Search Advice, Employment Resources, Job Leads, and more.
27 Rules For Your Job-Search
Posted by Matt LeBlanc on June 9, 2009
There are an infinite number of things to consider when searching for a new job.
Here are 27 that are worth looking at.
1) Network, network, network and then network more.The less time you spend reaching out to others to connect to those that they know the longer your search will take. Don't make the Internet the focus of your search – a successful search is all about people.
Additional Resources
2) Be SELECTIVE on what you apply for. If you start applying to everything under the sun (especially at the same company) you will be black listed because you are wasting the recruiters/hiring managers time and will appear desperate. If you don't meet 70% of the requirements you need not apply.
3) Utilize all of the resources out there. Local career centers, college career centers, local career groups, etc are there to help you. If none exist where you live, create one.
4) Find a professional association in your niche and geographic area. They are great for networking and information.
5) Your email address might be killing your job-search! Your email address should be PROFESSIONAL (john.doe@comcast.net) and NOT include the year of your birth. hotchick@hotmail.com, utfan@bellsouth.net, etc are UNACCEPTABLE!!!
6) Don't count on anyone else to do your job search, it is a YOU project! You are responsible for you!
7) Things are changing – you must use
Linked In (www.linkedin.com)
Face book (www.facebook.com)
My Space (www.myspace.com)
and Twitter (www.twitter.com) in your search.
Employers are on all three – why aren't you. If you have any questions on how to use them Google a "how-to" on each.
8) Have a plan for your job search and work that plan. Those without a plan get frustrated and don't have the success that those with a plan have. After you put your plan together find someone to hold you accountable to it.
9) Your voice-mail could be killing your search. The out-going message on your phones should feature you and be professional.
10) If Oprah and Dr. Phil are part of your daily job-search routine you are in trouble. Enough said.
11) If you have one ounce of poison in your system because of your current situation people will not touch you with a ten foot pole. Attitude is HUGE!!!!! If you have a bad attitude nobody will want to be around you.
12) You need to be able to articulate what it you want to do. Nobody else will try to figure it out for you.
13) You need to speak the same lingo that companies are speaking for your job function. If you and a potential employer are speaking a different language about the position you have no chance.
14) Have you done any market research on what employers are really looking for in your job-function? If not – you are DEFINITELY missing the boat!!
15) What value do you bring to an employer?How can you impact their bottom line? No one is going to figure it out for you!!
16) If you need a contact at a company do some research (remember it is a YOU project).Call those you know to ask, look on LinkedIn, Facebook, and MySpace, and then Google the department and company. If those don't work, keep looking.
17) Everyone should get a handwritten thank you note that has been a part of your search. That includes receptionists, administrative assistants, friends who bake you cookies, etc. You need to show appreciation to those that help you.
18) The more you prepare for an interview the better it will go. Preparation breeds confidence and confidence equals success.
19) Job-search is a numbers game. The more you put yourself out there and hear "no" the closer you are to a "yes."
20) Get creative in your job-search.Have you put a YouTube video resume up? Have you started a focused networking group? Have you created a website about you? Have you gone outside your box to try to make things happen?
21) Are you realistic in your job-search (salary, location, job function desired, etc)? If not, you need to be.
22) If you are making a complete career change you will take a salary cut 9/10 times. You are not as valuable in that new area.
23) Acting desperate will kill your chances!It is OK to be desperate – just don't let networking contacts and potential employers see it.
24) Don't get stuck.Have multiple things going on at any given time so that if you don't get a callback you expected you don't have to start over again.
25) Volunteer! Volunteering is a great way to keep your skills current, expand your network, and help others out.
26) Post your résumé on the job-boards. Employers and recruiters search the job-boards so why aren't you on there? You can leave off your last name, address, and phone number to give yourself some confidentiality – just make sure you check your email!
27) Be strong and courageous! Be not afraid nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!
3) Utilize all of the resources out there. Local career centers, college career centers, local career groups, etc are there to help you. If none exist where you live, create one.
4) Find a professional association in your niche and geographic area. They are great for networking and information.
5) Your email address might be killing your job-search! Your email address should be PROFESSIONAL (john.doe@comcast.net) and NOT include the year of your birth. hotchick@hotmail.com, utfan@bellsouth.net, etc are UNACCEPTABLE!!!
6) Don't count on anyone else to do your job search, it is a YOU project! You are responsible for you!
7) Things are changing – you must use
Linked In (www.linkedin.com)
Face book (www.facebook.com)
My Space (www.myspace.com)
and Twitter (www.twitter.com) in your search.
Employers are on all three – why aren't you. If you have any questions on how to use them Google a "how-to" on each.
8) Have a plan for your job search and work that plan. Those without a plan get frustrated and don't have the success that those with a plan have. After you put your plan together find someone to hold you accountable to it.
9) Your voice-mail could be killing your search. The out-going message on your phones should feature you and be professional.
10) If Oprah and Dr. Phil are part of your daily job-search routine you are in trouble. Enough said.
11) If you have one ounce of poison in your system because of your current situation people will not touch you with a ten foot pole. Attitude is HUGE!!!!! If you have a bad attitude nobody will want to be around you.
12) You need to be able to articulate what it you want to do. Nobody else will try to figure it out for you.
13) You need to speak the same lingo that companies are speaking for your job function. If you and a potential employer are speaking a different language about the position you have no chance.
14) Have you done any market research on what employers are really looking for in your job-function? If not – you are DEFINITELY missing the boat!!
15) What value do you bring to an employer?How can you impact their bottom line? No one is going to figure it out for you!!
16) If you need a contact at a company do some research (remember it is a YOU project).Call those you know to ask, look on LinkedIn, Facebook, and MySpace, and then Google the department and company. If those don't work, keep looking.
17) Everyone should get a handwritten thank you note that has been a part of your search. That includes receptionists, administrative assistants, friends who bake you cookies, etc. You need to show appreciation to those that help you.
18) The more you prepare for an interview the better it will go. Preparation breeds confidence and confidence equals success.
19) Job-search is a numbers game. The more you put yourself out there and hear "no" the closer you are to a "yes."
20) Get creative in your job-search.Have you put a YouTube video resume up? Have you started a focused networking group? Have you created a website about you? Have you gone outside your box to try to make things happen?
21) Are you realistic in your job-search (salary, location, job function desired, etc)? If not, you need to be.
22) If you are making a complete career change you will take a salary cut 9/10 times. You are not as valuable in that new area.
23) Acting desperate will kill your chances!It is OK to be desperate – just don't let networking contacts and potential employers see it.
24) Don't get stuck.Have multiple things going on at any given time so that if you don't get a callback you expected you don't have to start over again.
25) Volunteer! Volunteering is a great way to keep your skills current, expand your network, and help others out.
26) Post your résumé on the job-boards. Employers and recruiters search the job-boards so why aren't you on there? You can leave off your last name, address, and phone number to give yourself some confidentiality – just make sure you check your email!
27) Be strong and courageous! Be not afraid nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!