It May Be Time To Revisit Your Job Search Strategy

LongIsland.com

It is important to revisit your job search plan for two reasons: (1) to figure out if your plan is working (2) to determine if your needs have changed and evaluate if your present plan ...

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It is important to revisit your job search plan for two reasons:
(1) to figure out if your plan is working
(2) to determine if your needs have changed and evaluate if
your present plan supports your objective.

Follow these 5 easy steps to revitalize your job search campaign.

1. Evaluate your point of entry.

During your job search, you have used various techniques to grab
the attention of an employer. You have sent your resume
and a cover letter; followed up with phone calls; went on
informational interviews and so forth.

Evaluate each point of entry and analyze if you are presenting
yourself in the best possible light. Below are a few
questions you should ask yourself to determine if you are on
the right track:

* My resume is professionally developed and highlights
the qualifications that the
hiring organization is seeking. Y/N

* My outgoing voicemail message sounds professional. Y/N

* The questions I ask during informational/networking meetings
are insightful and they demonstrate my interest in my field. Y/N

* I am optimistic about my job search and my enthusiasm shines
through. Y/N

You should have answered "yes" to every question. Every encounter
you have with a potential employer should reflect your level
of interest and level of professionalism.

2. Is your resume accomplishment-driven?

Fill your resume with PAR (

p

roblem,

a

ction,

r

esults) statements.
In doing so, you will overcome the temptation of simply
writing your job history. Let's take a look at how a PAR statement
is put together:

Problem: I was hired by ABC Company after the former sales/marketing
executive failed to launch a successful campaign. ABC's profits have
been declining steadily and they needed someone to penetrate
the northeastern region.

Challenge: The marketing campaign needed to be restructured.

Result: I landed 3 major accounts and increased profits by 37%.

Putting it all together:

~ Recruited to revitalize stagnant sales and penetrate territory. Restructured
marketing and advertising campaigns, launched new business
development initiatives, and spearheaded account management
programs. Delivered an increase of 37% in profit margin and landed
3 major accounts, two of which were Fortune 500 companies.

The content in your resume has to reflect who you
are and what you can bring to the table. Reread
your resume and make sure that it showcases your accomplishments.

3. Get to know your competitor's marketing strategy.

Attend networking events, conduct informational interviews, and
attend job fairs and industry related-events to find out what your competition is selling.
Listen to their pitch, find out their accomplishments and determine
who they have interviewed with.

The information you collect can be invaluable to your job search success.

4. Are you thinking like a hiring manager?

Respond to the hiring managers needs. Review want ads and
write down the common themes that you notice then go
on informational interviews and ask your contact, "What are the
three attributes that employers are looking for in this field."

Being privy to this type of "insider" information will give you an
advantage over other candidates.

5. Is your job search organized?

It is important for you to conduct an organized campaign.
You should have a daily schedule
that you are able and
willing to stick with.

The following is a break down of a possible daily schedule.
Notice when the activities are split into time intervals, the
job search process doesn't seem overwhelming.

Sample Daily Schedule

6:00 to 7:00 Exercise, yoga, or stretching
7:00 to 8:30 Shower, get dressed, eat breakfast
8:30 to 9:00 Review daily schedule, write down daily goals
9:00 to 10:00 Make telephone calls
10:00 to 10:15 Coffee break
10:15 to 11:00 Make more phone calls
11:00 to 12:30 Make follow-up calls, send out e-mails, thank you letters, resumes
12:30 to 1:30 Lunch break
1:30 to 5:00 Attend job interviews, face to face networking

This sample serves as a guide. Your activities can vary day-to-day.
Keep in mind that if you are unemployed, your goal is
to dedicate at least 40 hours a week to your job search.

In Conclusion

When your job search hits a slump, revisit your strategy to
determine what is and isn't working.

If you are having a specific challenge email me at
careerstrides@bigfoot.com
with your question and
I may answer it in an upcoming article.

If there is a specific topic you would
like to see covered, email me (careerstrides@bigfoot.com)
your suggestion for consideration.