Regardless
of whether you're in a job search by choice or by chance, you need
to identify your present interests, work values, and personality
traits. You also need to thoroughly analyze your skills, paying
particular attention to the skills which are your strongest and
those you most enjoy using.
Throughout
your job search, you will be expected to justify your candidacy
for positions. Once you have assessed yourself and your strengths,
you will be able to confidently and comfortably market yourself
both in person and on paper.
Do
Your Research Second
Now
that you know what you have to offer, it's time to examine the marketplace.
Who is hiring? What kinds of positions are open now or likely to
become available in the near future? What areas of the country are
growing and prospering? What fields are "hot"? What kinds
of occupations have need of the kinds of skills you possess? As
a result of careful research, you will be able to assess which of
your skills are most marketable. These are just some of the questions
you need to address at this stage. We strongly recommend that you
separate your search into two major phases: information gathering
and job hunting. In the information gathering phase, you may talk
with people in companies which interest you; however you are not
there to look for a job, you are there for information which will
help you to decide what job or career path you want to target. If
you are genuinely conducting interviews for information you are
likely to find valuable insights and inside information about what
is occurring in your field.
When
you are out of work and having to confront survival issues, self
assessment and informational interviewing can seem like luxuries.
In reality, these steps are crucial to your conducting a competitive
search. Without doing them, you may be shooting in the dark, unclear
about your strengths and unsure about who needs what you offer.
Make
Preliminary Decisions
Having
looked at yourself and the marketplace, you are now ready to make
some preliminary decisions about what you would most like to do
and in what kind of organization you would like to work. At this
point, you want to decide the parameters of your search. If things
do not work out for you, you can always expand the search by broadening
your geographic area or considering jobs less closely related to
your interests or financial requirements. Start out by targeting
what you want. If you try to keep all your options open from the
start, you are likely to come across as an unfocused candidate.
Develop
An Action Plan
Take
a look at what has worked for you and for others in the past. Although
you will usually find that most people have found jobs through friends
and professional contacts, you tend to begin your job search by
answering newspaper ads, a painful and tedious task. Since answering
newspaper ads results in jobs for only 10% of the job seekers, you
don't want to put the majority of your time and energy into this
source.
Sharpen
Job Hunting Skills
How are your communication skills? Would people say that you present yourself
confidently? Do you shake hands firmly and comfortably? Do you know how
to strategize your search? Are you prepared for those intimidating interview
questions? The Employment Services Center
offers a variety of seminars to help you perfect your job search. The
seminars are free and registration is not required. Numerous publications
from the Career Center or from
your local library may be helpful. Also, many community organizations
offer programs and services for job seekers. Check your local newspaper
or The Columbian.
