Job Search Strategies
Nancy Bates, SPHR
Jacobs ESSSA Group
Job Search Strategies
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Know Thyself
Finding your Network
Job Search Tools
Hidden Job Market
Networking Tips
Informational Interviews
Plan it, Track It, Get the Job!
How did you get your last job?
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Social Network
Job Board
Corporate Website
Newspaper
?
What tools do you use to find a job?
• Job Boards
• Corporate Websites
• Friends sharing on Social Networks
FaceBook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn
• Temporary Agencies
• Newspapers
• Any Others?
How do you Think you will
find your next job?
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Friend
Job boards
An agency
Job Fair
Corporate Website of a favorite company
Attend Industry Seminars & Conferences
Warriors to the Workforce Event!
What are your Preferences?
• What do you love about your current (or
last) position?
• What don’t you like about your current (or
last) position?
• What would be your ideal work
schedule?
• Do you work best with people or alone?
• With a lot of supervision or little
supervision?
What are your Preferences?
• What size organization and corporate
culture are the best matches for you?
• How much money do you want/need to
make?
• Is there a job at your current company that
you would want to do?
And/or is there a way your current job
could become your dream job?
Next Steps to Your Dream Job
• Who in your life can you talk to about
what it’s like to do X job?
• What will you do to find out more about
the day to day realities of X job?
• Bonus Question
• What’s your dream job?
Tools
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Business Cards: www.vistaprint.com
Start lists of Accomplishments, Interests
Create Bio
Elevator Pitch
Current Resume
Build Linkedin profile
Professional Email & Voice Message
How do you advertise yourself?
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Profile on Social Network
Online Resume
Blog
Website
Build an Online Presence
• Find companies you’re interested in
– Subscribe to their blogs
– Follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn, & Twitter
– Follow their decisions makers
– Learn what they’re talking about
– Do a little research
– Consider blogging
• Impress them with your interest and insights
Job Search Spreadsheet
• Keep track of your job applications and
networking with a spreadsheet
– Job applied for
– Company & Contact name & numbers
– Email & mailing addresses
– Date & how resume was submitted
– How you heard about the job
– Comments
– Website, User name & Password
Most Popular Websites
For finding job openings:
• www.google.com
• www.monster.com
• www.careerbuilder.com
• www.linkedin.com
• www.Indeed.com
• www.simplyhired.com
• www.jobster.com
Tips for Creating Your Profile
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List job search phone numbers
List job search email
Upload general resume (save with date)
If there is an option to set up an email alert
– DO IT EVERY TIME!
• Customize every job application to the
best of your abilities
• Review and modify often!
Job Search Pot Holes To Avoid
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You Nearly Completed Paper Work
You Didn’t Screen References
Your Social Media content is negative
You Underestimated The Depth Of
Background Checks
• You Quit? No, You Were Fired!
Helpful Job Search Resources For
Veterans
• O*Net Online
http://www.onetonline.org/find/
• Veteran Recruiting/VetFriendly
• http://www.veteranrecruiting.com/
• Hiring Our Heroes
http://www.hiringourheroes.org/
• Hire Veterans
http://www.hireveterans.com/
Helpful Job Search Resources For
Veterans
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Hire A Patriot
http://www.hirepatriots.com/
Military.com
http://www.military.com/
The Honor Bridge
http://thehonorbridge.com/
• Senior Military In Transition
• http://seniormilitaryintransition.com/
Helpful Resources For Veterans
• Defense Finance and Accounting Service
(DFAS)
• http://www.dfas.mil/
• Brothers Fund
• http://www.brothersfund.org
Jacobs ESSSA Group Website
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Thought Starters
Job Networking Groups
Links to Job Search Resources
Veteran Resource Page
Huntsville Area Company Links
Chambers of Commerce
https://jacobsesssa.com/communications
Researching your Target Company
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www.google.com
www.facebook.com
www.youtube.com
Company Website
Company Insiders
– www.linkedin.com
– www.Twitter.com
• Search Engines
– Financial Status
Networking!
• Is based on relationships
– that are cultivated and nurtured
– so that a mutual exchange of
information
– advice and support
– is given and received
– Networking is discovering and targeting
your Hidden Job Market
Hidden Job Market
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Jobs that are not posted
Most are in the minds of employers
Employee referrals
Saves Companies:
– time
– money
– resources
– staff
Use Networking to:
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Generate career options
Advance in career or leadership positions
Make a career decision
Open up opportunities to “try out” career
Locate job or internship leads
Provide emotional support during the ups
and downs
What is Networking Not?
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Bothering people
Being pushy
Cold Calling
A contest
One-sided
• It IS being focused
The Six Degrees of Networking
• You know someone
– who knows someone else…
– who knows someone else…
– who knows someone else…
– who knows someone else…
– who knows about a job that might be a
fit for you
Where to Network
• One-on-one meetings with network
contacts
• Conferences
• Career/Job Fairs
• Training Sessions
• Networking Groups
• Social Settings
Where to Network
• Social Networking sites
– Linkedin
– Facebook
– Twitter
– Google+
• Chamber of Commerce
Your networking opening line:
• Be cheerful, confident and
straightforward
• Begin With A Compliment
• Exploit connections and
recommendations
• Mention common interests
• Report news of interest to the target
Your networking opening line:
• Wait for a response
• Be mindful to know when to stop talking
• Write down your opening lines before
picking up the phone
• Practice!
Networking In person
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Firm hand shake, be the first
Maintain eye contact
Dress appropriately
Bring business card, resumes
Lists of questions, notes
Stand up straight
SMILE
Be polite
Establishing Rapport
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Speak clearly
Convey enthusiasm
Don’t speak too fast or slowly
Remain poised and relaxed
Minimize distracting body language
Avoid Distractions
Networking by Telephone
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Background quiet
Be aware of Time
Stand
Be prepared
Leave an articulate, well prepared voice
mail requesting an appointment
• May I have 20 minutes of your time?
– In-person is best, if feasible
Skills Learned from Networking
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Research
Writing
Oral Presentation
Leadership
Persistence
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Patience
Organization
Marketing
Global Thinking
Diversity Awareness
Networking
• Network circle
• 10 / 10
• Online networking: LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com
• Asking for help - specifically
• Follow-up: so you are on their radar
screen
• Keep your network alive
Now What?
With our contacts we now need to research:
• Their occupation & employer
• Their backgrounds
• Create a list of questions/conversational
statements that reflect your research
• Have a list of your goals
• Informational interview
Target individuals for your network:
• Focus on what you want to achieve and
how people can help you
• To find suitable companies
• Gather key information on these
companies
• Figure out who is the one with the power
to hire you
• Find people connections and common
areas of interest
Network Contacts
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Personal
Work
Education
Acquaintance
Professional
Group
• Multimedia
• Personal
Services
• Professional
Services
Divide Your Network List Into:
• People who can
help plot your
goals
• People closely
linked to your
career goals
• Professionals
with expertise,
i.e., career
counselors
• Mentors who set
a good example
& can offer
advice
• People who can
provide
emotional
support
Talented Networkers
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Help others…..the Universe
Show their appreciation
Give more than you get
Hang around with employed people
Make Outings Count
Get involved
Networking Tips
 Attend conferences
 Be a leader
 Connect with people
 Get to know your surroundings
 Find role models
 Job shadow
Networking Tips
 Get an internship
 Volunteer in your community
 Broaden your horizons
 Send thank you notes
 Hand written are unforgettable
 Start a portfolio
What is the informational interview?
• Talking with people currently working in a
field to gain a better understanding of an
occupation or industry
• A great way to build relationships in an
organization
• Provides an opportunity to see a job and
an organization from the inside
• Get tips for the field
Informational Interview Goals
• To get to know you
– Experience, work history, SKILLS, etc.
• Knowledge of their occupation
• Education or work history
– How did they get here?
• Related groups, clubs, or volunteer
opportunities
• To get your name out there
• Another contact
Informational Interviews
• Ask For An Informational Interview
• Clearly Define What You Want
To Get Out Of The Meeting
• Getting A Job
– Should Not Be Your Immediate Goal
Informational Interviews
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Go With The Flow
Prepare
Dress For Success
Don’t Forget To Follow-Up And Send The
Thank You Letter
Suggested attire for men
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Solid color, conservative suit
White long sleeve shirt
Conservative tie
Dark socks, professional shoes
Neat, professional hairstyle
Go easy on the aftershave
Neatly trimmed nails
Portfolio or briefcase
Suggested attire for women
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Solid color, conservative suit or dress
Coordinated blouse
Moderate shoes
Limited jewelry
Neat, professional hairstyle
Tan or light hosiery
Sparse make-up & perfume
Manicured nails
Portfolio or briefcase
Networking Land Mines To Avoid
• You Didn’t Sell Yourself
• You Used The “Me, Me, Me” Networking
Technique
• You Appeared Unteachable
• You Didn’t Listen Well. (Or At All.)
• You Told A White Lie (It’s A Lie!)
Plan Your Job Search
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Identify jobs / companies
Get Your Tools Handy
Schedule Time
Volunteer
Network daily
It’s your job until you find a job
Networking Goals
• Goals
– Research, preparation
– Networking
– 3 contacts a day
• Preferably face-to-face
• Networking Events
– 10+ quality contacts per event
Parting Thoughts
• Applying to every position online doesn’t
always get the best results
• So get out and make connections
• Find some hidden jobs and make it
happen
• Keeping an upbeat attitude is critical to
your success
Get Started!
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Network
Questions
Comments
Suggestions
Contact Me
– [email protected]
– LinkedIn
– Twitter - @RktSciRecruiter
https://jacobsesssa.com/communications