We hope the information on this website will help you find that
perfect opportunity. That's why we took the time and put in
the energy to create it. This is how we show that we do care
about you, and if we've succeeded in helping you, we ask that
you pass on this good advice to others in need. And, finally,
remember us when you're in a position to authorize a search.
Good Luck!
HOW TO BEGIN THE SEARCH FOR A NEW JOB
The job of finding a job is a full time job. There are many
different resources to access, online and off.
SOURCES
Bookstore/Newsstand: Obtain copies of Chicago, Atlanta, Boston,
New York as well as Philadelphia newspapers, or other areas
of geographic interest. (Barnes & Noble or Borders are
good places to start.)
In these you will find articles/ads which cover new strides
that businesses in your target industry are making. Pay careful
attention to these. You'd be surprised how few people follow-up
on such information. Compose a letter to those companies of
interest to you. Mention in your letter where your read about
them, acknowledge the advances they are making in their industry,
and include why you feel your services and talents would benefit
their organization.
It is best to call the company to ask for the name of either
the president of the firm or the article-related division
manager. You could also ask for the name of the general manager
or an operations/sales manager (whichever is applicable),
and address your letter to that person. Although your letter
is considered "unsolicited", you will at least be
targeting a specific person and make reference to an item
that will be of interest. Do not address your letter "Dear
Sir', "Dear Madam", etc. or your letter may never
reach the appropriate party.
INTERNET SOURCES
Many companies are now offering positions "on-line"
and hire through the Internet. Should you want to utilize
that route, be sure to research a company before sending your
resume. Feel free to call the company for information.
There are also many career sites and employment directories
on the Web. Many sites will allow you to search, by varying
criteria and even location.
Other Sources: Watch for job fairs and business expos. Also
keep an eye out for companies making stock offerings. These
are often ads run in The Wall Street Journal and indicating
a company that is looking to raise money. Once the money is
raised, they will probably be in a hiring mode. Also, check
out the Career Bulletin Board on many university and college's
websites. Especially, check the schools you attended or schools
in the geographic area where you prefer to search.
EXECUTIVE RECRUITERS
Executive search firms also post ads for jobs. If you find
an ad for a position that calls for someone in your industry,
call the search firm. Once you have the name of the appropriate
recruiter, send a letter mentioning how you were referred
to him/her, then follow-up with a phone call. If you don't
fit any of the current searches, ask that your information
be kept on file for future reference.
The recruiter's fee is paid by the hiring company. However,
a good recruiter will want to learn as much as possible about
the candidate to insure a good match between company and candidate.
If you approach a local recruiter, arrange a meeting so you
can present your case in person. When a recruiter is considering
you for an opening, you should give him as much information
about yourself as you can. However, by law, no one has the
right to ask for too much personal information. Presenting
yourself well and leaving a personal "imprint" will
help paint a mental picture of you that will last in the recruiter's
memory. Therefore, practice being concise and to the point.
It will be appreciated and get you farther ahead.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORIES: You may want to look for The Directory
of Executive Recruiters published by Kennedy Publications
in Fitzwilliam, NH. The directory is published in both paperback
and hard cover (Corporate Edition) and available online. You
can reach Kennedy Publications at 1-800-531-0007 for more
information or call your local library. Your local bookstore
might also have this and other directories.
PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Before you begin your job search, consider issues pertaining
to you, such as:
Do you have a child with special needs that can only be
met by a select provider in your region?
Are you clear about your spouse's or children's needs?
Is your spouse against relocating?
Are you involved in an activity you enjoy so much you may
not want to give it up?
These and other situations can cause you to turn down an
otherwise wonderful offer because you hadn't thought through
all these personal considerations. It is important to understand
your needs and limitations.
INVEST IN YOURSELF
Is your wardrobe in good shape? Is your resume clear and
up-to-date? If not, it is worth your while to improve both.
And keep in mind that many hiring authorities read a resume
with a red pen in hand, grading it as a representation of
how you'd measure up to the job. It should be letter perfect.
Are You Reachable? If you have not done so, invest in a
quality answering machine with a remote feature that allows
you to retrieve messages when you are out. Additionally,
call waiting is a good investment - there is nothing more
frustrating than a busy signal. It would be a shame to lose
out on an opportunity because you were too difficult to
reach. Some people go as far as adding call forwarding to
their phone numbers, and carry a cellular phone. It's better
to apologize for poor reception than to never receive the
call at all.
FIRST WEEK OF FOLLOW-UP
You should be very busy sending out letters to companies
you discovered through a variety of sources: newspapers,
magazine articles, networking seminars, or universities
(many employers post positions at universities). After your
first week of intense letter-writing, you will have many
phone calls to make in order to follow-up on each of the
letters you have sent. It is imperative that you follow-up
with a phone call so you won't be lost in the shuffle. This
is no time to be shy. Sell yourself! The alternative is
fewer leads, less activity, slower networking, and a longer
search period.
SECOND WEEK OF FOLLOW-UP
In your second week, your letter writing and phone calling
should continue to be intense. Once the interview process
begins, do not cease writing the letters and making follow-up
phone calls. You must get your foot in the door!
YOUR FOOT IS IN THE DOOR
You've made it this far - your foot is in the door. The
following advice can help you make a good impression.
Dress Code
Many years ago, the IBM image became a popular example and
set the tone for professional interview wear. A conservative,
dark colored suit, conservative tie and jewelry, and white
shirt are still the recommended attire for an interview
for both genders. Polish your shoes, and check to see if
all buttons are secure. The dominant rule here is do not
wear anything that will distract the interviewer from discussing
your skills and their application to the company's needs.
THE INTERVIEW
You will meet with an employer who must fill a specific
position. S/he is looking for someone who comes as close
as possible to a particular set of skill criteria. The employer
is not interested in what you would "like" to
do unless your "wants" are exactly what they need.
Listen more, talk less, and ask "fact-finding"
questions to determine just what the company is looking
for. If your background is applicable to the position, point
out how and where your particular background applies and
would benefit the company. Where your background is lacking,
probe to see if there is a chance the learning curve will
be a short one. Point this out, acknowledge it and hope
for a positive response. But don't ignore it. If your background
does not apply, attempt to use the interviewer as a networking
source - ask about other opportunities within the organization
for which your skills may be a better fit.
There are three things to keep in mind when interviewing:
1. When the interviewer asks you to talk about yourself,
don't just repeat what is written on your resume. This is
the time to sell yourself. If you are aggressive, tenacious,
loyal, responsible, dedicated, goal and money oriented,
get up at the crack of dawn, and don't go to bed until the
job is done, say so. It would also be a good idea to produce
any letters of recommendation you may have that will support
your claims.
2. Most people are not accustomed to speaking highly of
themselves. Growing up, we were told not to be conceited.
Yet, in a polite way, to interview well, you must brag about
yourself. I suggest you practice at home to become comfortable
speaking about your good qualities. Practice aloud saying
what you intend to say in the interview, then the words
will come more naturally for you in the real interview.
If, at first, you feel awkward saying these things in private,
imagine how awkward you would have felt trying to say them
for the first time in an interview.
3. In an interview, candidates are usually judged by the
quality and depth of the questions they ask and not by the
answers they give. Your questions indicate your genuine
interest in the company and position for which you are interviewing.
Ask the questions that will help you make a real decision.
4. Tell the interviewer the reasons why you feel you fit
the job, and be enthusiastic. Listen to see if the interviewer
is as enthusiastic about you as you are about the opportunity.
Listen carefully, then with new understanding of the position
and its responsibilities, respond to the interviewer's questions
appropriately. It is okay to ask the interviewer if s/he
feels you would be a good fit for this position and for
the company as a whole. So ask.
THE OFFER
The employer has a salary range in mind for the position.
When it is time to offer the position to you, the compensation
package offered will be based on calculations intended to
raise your current compensation by a percentage (usually
10-20%).
The hiring authorities invest a good deal of thought, work,
and energy into presenting you with an offer they believe
is attractive and fair. Consider the financial advancements
the employer and company culture may afford you. If the
offer is acceptable to you, be sure to show your enthusiasm
for the position and the firm. If you wish to negotiate
the offer, it is critical to tell the hiring authority that
this in no way is connected to or diminishes your enthusiasm
for the position. You don't want them to withdraw the offer
because they are unable to give you what you want and, therefore,
conclude that you would not be an enthusiastic employee.
A FINAL NOTE
Keep in mind that the person you will be speaking to is
a "real" person just like yourself. Be positive,
wear your best smile, and your enthusiasm will not go unnoticed
by your interviewer.
Good Luck!
Search America, Inc. has provided this information to you
as a courtesy. This information is not to be sold, copied
or distributed without the written consent of Search America.
Any questions concerning this material should be directed
to their office via email.
© 2003 by Search America, Inc.
|
