Job Hunting Strategies

Whether you are a college student trying to get a summer job, or a laid off shipbuilder who needs to pay the bills job hunting is a time consuming and some times depressing task. Stay focused and professional while looking for a new job. Look at each day as a job in itself and establish organized goals to accomplish during your work day. Job hunting strategies can make your hunt less of a crap shoot and land you that job.

The first thing you should look at when job hunting is your long time goals. Do you want a new job in your old field or do you want to turn this job hunt into an opportunity to pursue your dream career? Write your goals down; have them in sight every morning before you start your search. By focusing on your goals you will eliminate wasted time by not concentrating on jobs that do not fulfill your goals.

Establish daily goals during your job hunt. Today you might decide to update your resume and cover letter; tomorrow you research companies to send the resume to. These small goals help you to remain focused on the task at hand and push you closer to your dream job.

Organize your resume and cover letter, focusing on the goals you already established, outline your skills and training; position yourself as a professional who is perfect for the job you are seeking. Be concise and specific when listing the contributions you performed in previous jobs. A vague statement such as "contributed to the mentor program" does not tell the potential employer what you have done. Write, read and re-write again. Get a professional to review your resume and give you pointers on tightening and strengthening your resume.

Contact all your references; be aware of what they are telling your potential new boss. When you trust your new job to the people you list as reference, know that they are providing relevant information and highlighting your skills.

Make a list of everyone you know, networking is still the best method for job hunters to land that new job. It is all about who you know. Next to their names list what they do and how you know them, i.e.; Jon Helps-CEO Bank-was college intern for him. When you finish your list start contacting the people on the list by relevance of how they can help in your job hunt.

Use the internet job hunting sites but do not limit yourself to them. Peruse the local newspapers classified sections, talk to friends and follow any tip given while searching for a job. Government agencies and job recruitment agencies are great places to hunt for a job. When you see job opportunities, which fit your goals and expertise, send out those resumes.

Research companies that you are interested in working for. Send a resume even if they are not advertising an opening. Lots of companies do not advertise when they are hiring, relying instead on their network or contacts to fill the positions. If you send a resume they just may remember you when you they need to hire again.

Follow up your resume with a call to the company to ensure they received your resume. Touch base and introduce yourself, ask when you might be hearing back from them. If you do not hear back in the specified time then call again to see if the position was filled. Keep in touch with the potential employer so that your name is familiar to them, once a month is not too much contact, once a week is annoying. Even if you do not make the cut on the current opening, if the employer is interested in your professionalism and skills they might remember you for the next opening.

Source: Skills Guide