Just like it pays to do strength and endurance training before heading to the slopes to ski or snowboard, it pays to start training, now, for a job search later in the spring. If you want a summer job to get you more experience in your favorite field, to make more professional contacts, or you are graduating and need a "real" job, starting your job search now jumps you ahead of the competition. Below are a few steps that will help you get ready for an effective job search.
1. Google your name. Savvy recruiters and hiring managers will. You should too so that you know what they will see when they do the same. Get rid of anything that is not professional. Learn if there are images on the Internet of someone else who has your same name. If someone with a name similar to yours has posted pictures from a Spring Fling saturnalia or has blog rants like Amy Winehouse lyrics, you need to know so that you can do damage control.
2. Create a blog. Think in terms of one screen. Use those first 7 or 8 inches of screen to create an Internet presence that can introduce would be employers to you, your competencies and interests.
3. Create a budget. Job hunts last longer than people expect. Currently, the average job search is 5 months. We never know if someone has spent the first 3 months of unemployment remodeling their kitchen and just two months job hunting. But, we do know that on average, job seekers contact 4 employers a month. That's the number you should plan on seeing in 2 days, so it's easy to see why unemployment drags on.
4. Create a network. Will you be staying where you are or heading back to live with your parents? Either way, you can lay some good groundwork before the end of the term. Find out if there are local professional organizations for people doing the kind of work you want to do. Go to a meeting. If you want to work in a different location, ask professionals you meet if they know people working where you want to live. Also, use at least one class assignment, project or term paper to help you learn more about effective job search techniques, the kind of work you want to do or the industry in which that job happens.
5. Create an advisory board for your job search. Pick positive people who are problem solvers and who aren't afraid to call you on your nonsense. Meet with them in person or by phone once a month to tell them what you've been doing and get their suggestions.
6. Talk to people who do the work you want to do. One reason the job search can be so tough is that too many people start it in the wrong place-trying to get hiring interviews. Unless you have a couple years experience, begin by talking with 5-10 people who do the work you want to do. After you talk with them about their work, you'll be ready for hiring interviews. And, the people you meet can let you know if they hear of job openings
7. Develop a job search plan. Once you are ready to begin your search, use these job search fundamentals to create a good job search strategy:
a. Job hunting is a job, so don't play at it. Once you say your job search has started, be ready to spend Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 3 PM working at your job search.
b. Determine your job goal. Interviewers expect you to know the job you want within their organization and to make a good case why you should be hired rather than one of the twenty other people who also want that job.
c. Create options. You need 2-4 job targets. Your skills, talents, knowledge, experience or interests can be used in many different kinds of work. If you have only one job target you decrease your chances to get hired quickly.
d. Go face to face. Check out Internet job boards, but don't expect this to be your only strategy. Hiring still mostly happens people-to-people. Polish up your people skills. To learn more about the skills you will need do to an effective job search, read Howard Figler's The Complete Job Search Handbook.
e. Send a Thank You note to everyone who helps you with your job search and anyone you interview, either for information or employment.
Looking for employment is hard work. But, finding a job you will enjoy can also be an adventure. Whether you are looking for a summer job that will get you experience in an industry that interests you or you first professional job, finding your place in the job market can be as exhilarating as a perfect run down a black diamond ski trail. Hit the job search slopes and have some fun!
