How To Start A Job Search

How To Start A Job Search 7 Steps to Start a Job Search I started my first real job search in 2006. Even way, way back then, going to the want ads from newspapers was an outdated strategy. Now, no one talks about using newspapers. But there is still plenty of confusion on how to start a job search.  Below are the steps I suggest to anyone who is ready to start their job search 7 Steps to Start a Job Search 1. Stop, calm down, take a moment. One of the worst things you can do is react to panic and fear. I know unemployment can be one of the scariest and most emotional situations of your life. Let me encourage you to really take a pause, calm down, get in the proper state of mind for what could be a complex but doable process. But please, go into this with the right mindset. 2. List job titles you want to pursue It is critical that you know what your target is, and specific job titles is part of your target. In my 2006 job search I listed two roles I wanted, and in the course of my job search I added a third (more exciting) title. Your list can change with time, so dont worry about committing to any particular title, but you should have a list of titles to pursue. Eventually, this list should be whittled down to something manageable (instead of including every job title that you are qualified for). 3. List companies you want to work for You must have a list of target companies where you want to work. This will help you in various ways, including focusing your networking efforts and search on the right companies. Also, when people ask how they can help you in your job search, you could say that you are looking for introductions to specific target companies (I suggest you name three or four specific companies). 4. Make a list of network contacts This is one of the harder lists to make because we tend to second-guess whether people should actually be on the list or not. You think of someone, then before you write them down talk yourself out of listing them for one reason or another. Let me encourage you to skip the second-guessing, and just list EVERYONE that you can think of on your network contacts list. You might not communicate with all of them, but as your job search goes on and on, it might make sense to reach out to people who you had earlier passed over. 5. Create and refine your job search marketing material I could make an entire list of your job search marketing material, the most obvious of which is your resume. In addition to your resume (and at least one general cover letter), you need to have some basic statements down. These include your Me In 30 Seconds (aka Elevator Pitch) statements (you could have various statements for different audiences) as well as a response to tell me about yourself?. Expect to use these statements regularly and refine them almost every time you use them. 6. Figure out your job search organization system No doubt I recommend JibberJobber (Im the creator of JibberJobber) instead of job search spreadsheet. Whatever you use, know that this organizational system is a central part of your successful job search. I quickly outgrew my spreadsheet in about two weeks, as do many job seekers, because as a job search goes on you add more contacts, companies, and jobs, and you want to log interactions between any of those records. Again, I could write a great deal on this, but suffice it to say youll need some system to stay organized. 7. Reach out to contacts with purposeful requests This is one of the hardest parts of the job search for many people because this is where we start to communicate with people. We generally like to help people, not ask for help from people. But we need to work through those feelings and ask our contacts for help. Please, do not ask them to review your resume. Imagine you get ONE request from each friend. Do you want to use your one request for a review of your typing? NO. Purposeful requests include meeting (in person or on the phone) or asking for introductions to people who have your target titles or work at your target companies. Each purposeful request changes based on who you are making the request of, but please dont waste your first (and maybe your only) request with something trivial. These are my seven steps to start your job search. Did you notice that I didnt include networking with recruiters? Perhaps you should network with recruiters, but in my experience, it is generally a waste of time. Focus on the steps above, iterating and going through each of them as you get closer and closer to your dream job. My goal would eventually be to have as many informational interviews as I could get, which is a very powerful job search strategy. Each of the steps above can lead up to a great informational interview strategy. How To Start A Job Search 7 Steps to Start a Job Search I started my first real job search in 2006. Even way, way back then, going to the want ads from newspapers was an outdated strategy. Now, no one talks about using newspapers. But there is still plenty of confusion on how to start a job search.  Below are the steps I suggest to anyone who is ready to start their job search 7 Steps to Start a Job Search 1. Stop, calm down, take a moment. One of the worst things you can do is react to panic and fear. I know unemployment can be one of the scariest and most emotional situations of your life. Let me encourage you to really take a pause, calm down, get in the proper state of mind for what could be a complex but doable process. But please, go into this with the right mindset. 2. List job titles you want to pursue It is critical that you know what your target is, and specific job titles is part of your target. In my 2006 job search I listed two roles I wanted, and in the course of my job search I added a third (more exciting) title. Your list can change with time, so dont worry about committing to any particular title, but you should have a list of titles to pursue. Eventually, this list should be whittled down to something manageable (instead of including every job title that you are qualified for). 3. List companies you want to work for You must have a list of target companies where you want to work. This will help you in various ways, including focusing your networking efforts and search on the right companies. Also, when people ask how they can help you in your job search, you could say that you are looking for introductions to specific target companies (I suggest you name three or four specific companies). 4. Make a list of network contacts This is one of the harder lists to make because we tend to second-guess whether people should actually be on the list or not. You think of someone, then before you write them down talk yourself out of listing them for one reason or another. Let me encourage you to skip the second-guessing, and just list EVERYONE that you can think of on your network contacts list. You might not communicate with all of them, but as your job search goes on and on, it might make sense to reach out to people who you had earlier passed over. 5. Create and refine your job search marketing material I could make an entire list of your job search marketing material, the most obvious of which is your resume. In addition to your resume (and at least one general cover letter), you need to have some basic statements down. These include your Me In 30 Seconds (aka Elevator Pitch) statements (you could have various statements for different audiences) as well as a response to tell me about yourself?. Expect to use these statements regularly and refine them almost every time you use them. 6. Figure out your job search organization system No doubt I recommend JibberJobber (Im the creator of JibberJobber) instead of job search spreadsheet. Whatever you use, know that this organizational system is a central part of your successful job search. I quickly outgrew my spreadsheet in about two weeks, as do many job seekers, because as a job search goes on you add more contacts, companies, and jobs, and you want to log interactions between any of those records. Again, I could write a great deal on this, but suffice it to say youll need some system to stay organized. 7. Reach out to contacts with purposeful requests This is one of the hardest parts of the job search for many people because this is where we start to communicate with people. We generally like to help people, not ask for help from people. But we need to work through those feelings and ask our contacts for help. Please, do not ask them to review your resume. Imagine you get ONE request from each friend. Do you want to use your one request for a review of your typing? NO. Purposeful requests include meeting (in person or on the phone) or asking for introductions to people who have your target titles or work at your target companies. Each purposeful request changes based on who you are making the request of, but please dont waste your first (and maybe your only) request with something trivial. These are my seven steps to start your job search. Did you notice that I didnt include networking with recruiters? Perhaps you should network with recruiters, but in my experience, it is generally a waste of time. Focus on the steps above, iterating and going through each of them as you get closer and closer to your dream job. My goal would eventually be to have as many informational interviews as I could get, which is a very powerful job search strategy. Each of the steps above can lead up to a great informational interview strategy.

The Importance Of Creating A Great First Impression

The Importance Of Creating A Great First Impression When interviewing for a new position it is really important that your first impression is not only positive but lasting. You want your new potential employer to think about hiring you, recognise your ambition and understand you will be a positive addition to their team, all within the first 5 seconds of meeting them. This first impression may determine whether or not your interview is a success, which means it is important to make sure you get it right. No Pressure!    Attic Recruitment, a recruitment agency in London  has outlined exactly why a first impression is so important: Why Is A Great First Impression So Important? After only 5 seconds, many people have already created an impression of you because of the way you dress and your body language. This means if this visual first impression is negative you will need to work extra hard to change it. A great first impression can leave you with a good connection with the interviewer before you even start your job. Building relationships like this can help you profile to be more memorable and if you do eventually get the job it can help you to integrate into the team much better. Make sure to treat every member of staff you meet with respect even if it is not your interviewer. If you do get the job, you might be running into or working alongside all these people which means showing them respect the first time you meet them is key. How To Create A Great First Impression? Make Eye Contact Whenever you are meeting a potential new employer it is important that you try to make eye contact. This will show your confidence and help you to engage with the employer. As well as making eye contact you should focus on presenting positive body language so your interviewer knows you are confident, welcoming and determined. This can show an interviewer the difference between experienced and inexperienced candidates. Try To Set Out Your Intentions Although a visual first impression is created within seconds, the initial conversation or small talk between you and your interviewer can show your true colours. Trying to set out your intentions doesn’t mean telling the interviewer your every want and desire in life. However, if you intend to be professional, a team player and easy to get on with then this needs to shine through. Have some small talk pointers set out in your mind, be polite and remember to be confident. This might well be your 100th interview and definitely not your first job so make sure your experience shines through. Choose Your Words Wisely Understandably, interviewers will be looking to get to know you as a person and learn as much about you as they can from that one initial meeting. This means choosing what to say and how to say it is key. Think about how you interact with the interviewer and make sure you are professional, polite and honest.

Top 3 Tips for Working with Recruiters...from a Recruiter!

Top 3 Tips for Working with Recruiters...from a Recruiter! I have been recruitment consultant for the last 10 years and absolutely love my job. I’m aware that recruiters don’t always provoke happy thoughts in the minds of job seekers and clients alike and that is maybe a blog post for another time, but for now I want to give some tips for getting the most out of your recruiter relationships. 1. Keep a daybook After advertising on a job board, I can sometimes call up the successful candidates for interview only to hear them say they have no idea what job I am calling about. Sometimes I can hear the confusion and panic in their voice when they try to blag itbut I can tell. Sometimes they simply just tell me that they have applied for so many jobs that they are not sure which one I am calling to discuss. I don’t mind this at all and I never take offence or hold it against them. This is because I understand how confusing it can be for job seekers. It is totally understandable when recruiters advertise their vacancies without telling you who the actual employer is. There may be a few reasons why they have kept the job anonymous. Maybe they don’t want their competitors to know who they are working with or maybe the employer doesn’t want anyone to know they are hiring. Whatever the reason, this can make dealing with multiple agencies a little messy and confusing at times. I recommend keeping a daybook and making a note of all the agencies, job titles that you apply for and the dates. You can also keep a note of all the emails and phone calls that you make too. This way you can grab it and scan it quite quickly and remain prepared. It also saves you panicking and feeling under pressure and allows you to make a positive impression from the start. 2. Call time One of the biggest frustrations that I hear about recruiters is that they don’t return calls. It’s a tough one because the nature of their job is to network and track down possible opportunities, so they are always on the phone. Companies rarely just telephone recruiters to give them jobs to work on. Recruiters are often targeted on making a certain number of ‘prospect calls’ per day, especially during core business hours when their clients are in work. Most agencies work approximately 8am to 6pm so maybe try to call them before 9am or after 4.30pm when they are least likely to be on a ‘prospect call’. Not returning calls is really bad manners and I am not saying that this is excusable. I am saying that we cannot control the behaviours of others, only how we adapt to them. 3. Help them help you Sometimes our client wants to see you, sometimes they don’t and ultimately it is their decision not ours. On occasions we have to work that little bit harder to promote you and the value that you could add. I once felt so passionate about a candidate who I’d advised my client to meet, that I was distraught when he kept refusing. My candidate was over qualified, I realise, but I had spent enough time with him to know this wasn’t going to be an issue. So what did I do? I did a deal with my client. If he met my candidate for 20 minutes and felt that it was a waste of his time, he never had to use me for any recruitment again. I even told him he could create a Facebook page dedicated to my incompetence as a recruiter. Well, he did meet him and he did hire him (thankfully). I was willing to put my neck on the line and that’s what we do with our own reputations every day. You need to influence your recruiter and convince them of the benefits you bring and the value you can add to their clients. They need to really believe in you to really ‘sell’ you. You can do this by giving them a breakdown of your achievements. You can write them a list of companies that you would love to work for and give them the reasons why and you can hand over as many fantastic references as you can get. Your recruiter can and will use all of this information to help differentiate you from the other candidates and secure you that last interview slot. Your relationships with recruiters can be complex at times and I hope these tips help you get the most out of themand ultimately see you employed in a job you love! Related: 6 Reasons You Never Heard Back from the Recruiter.

Manchester student wins TargetJobs Undergraduate of the Year award University of Manchester Careers Blog

Manchester student wins TargetJobs Undergraduate of the Year award University of Manchester Careers Blog Celine (centre) receiving her award from Sir Trevor McDonald and Joanne Normans Programmes Team Leader from EDF Energy University of Manchester student Celine Dischamps, who is studying for an MEng in Chemical Engineering, has won a TargetJobs Undergraduate of the Year Award, in the category of Low Carbon Undergraduate, sponsored by EDF Energy. Her prize is a paid internship, a visit to a nuclear power station in France and an exclusive lunch with a Station Director. Celine competed in a series of online tests, application forms, interviews and assessment exercises.   Celine and nine other undergraduates were invited to the final in Canary Wharf where the winner was announced by Sir Trevor McDonald. This award was one of twelve presented on the day, Manchester had five finalists in total. Celine told us: I am thrilled to have won the award. It has been an incredible experience and I would highly recommend students to apply for the awards next year. I have been given an amazing opportunity to work for EDF energy on a paid internship this summer. I am very excited to discover more about the low carbon  nuclear industry as I go on a Nuclear Power Station tour in France. I am very proud to have  represented  my University throughout the awards ceremony in Canary Wharf and to have met Sir Trevor McDonald. It is an  honor  to be this years Low Carbon Undergraduate of the Year. Awards of this type are a great experience. They give you the opportunity to experience an application and assessment centre process. Winners often get to undertake valuable work experience and/or expand their networks and experience via visits. Winning or being shortlisted is a significant achievement to add to your CV. All Make The Most of Manchester Undergraduate award employability manchester made me summer internships

How to Find Executive Recruiters Specializing in Your Niche - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

How to Find Executive Recruiters Specializing in Your Niche

3 Social Media Must-Dos for Job Search and Career Growth

3 Social Media Must-Dos for Job Search and Career Growth True confession: As a job search and career expert, I was skeptical about all of these social media tools as recently as four years ago. I separated professional networking from social networking and felt that the social sites were a waste of time. That was flawed thinking! Now, I’m a convert and raving fan of social media for job search and career growth! Here’s why… As a job seeker, you can no longer ignore your online presence. And, there are brand new ways to use Social Media to enhance and accelerate your job search. “Social recruiting” is evolving and improving rapidly, so jump in NOW, because the only way to learn about it is to do it. Social media is just another element of your job search mix. Manage your expectations as well; social media connections are not a quick fix. Benefits of Social Media to Job Seekers: Be found. Social networking is simply preferred by recruiters and employers as a tool to uncover talent. Identify and contact hiring managers. Market and sell yourself and put yourself in front of as many people as possible. Collect great research in preparation for an application or interview. Maintaining a professional network will help you with your current career, as well as prepare you for your next job search. Here are the three most important social media tools you need to compete in today’s new era of job search: LinkedIn: LinkedIn offers the broadest array of resources to further your career. Whether you are looking for your first job, are considering changing careers, or want to move into a more senior position, LinkedIn can help you achieve it. Visibility, company job postings, research. If you are not here, you don’t exist for many recruiters and hiring companies. Facebook: Why is Facebook so important as a job search tool? Visibility! Every business and brand that knows the power of the web is already there. Recruiters scour Facebook for candidates and regularly use friend-finding search feature. Twitter: Use Twitter for company research, job leads, learning from others. Twitter gives you free information about people, organizations, and job listings. You can be an observant follower and still reap many benefits. Whether you are a social media skeptic like I was or you’re “just dabbling” in social media, here are three things you can do now to leverage these tools for your job search: Take the tutorials available on each site. Learn how to get all you can out of the functionality so you can present a quality image and participate at a higher level. Start tweeting. Tweet to me (@DanaManciagli) if it’s your first time. You can also use tools like TweetDeck or HootSuite to organize Twitter and/or Facebook so you will see only what you’re interested in. Add value to discussions. Don’t just say “I agree” or “Good job” but share your advice, challenges, or experiences on LinkedIn Discussion Groups, Facebook posts, or Tweets. And make pertinent comments on articles posted on LinkedIn or Facebook. If you are not looking for your next career move now, it’s likely you will be in the next couple of years; so build your network, both online and face-to-face, right now! Need some advice? Got a specific challenge? Let me give you a hand; I’m ready to help! Dana

Where Can I Get Help Finding a Job Or Writing a Resume in Lone Star?

Where Can I Get Help Finding a Job Or Writing a Resume in Lone Star?Are you searching for jobs, or just looking for a great place to begin writing a resume, Lone Star is one of the best choices for your job search? This small town in South Texas is consistently ranked in the top five in the nation for employment in computers and technology, and for growth.If you are a computer or IT professional and are looking for an opportunity to get out and enjoy your life, it is best to locate your career in Lone Star. There are a number of options available to you in this small town. These opportunities include:The first place to look for work and further career opportunities in Lone Star is at the local colleges. They offer programs that allow you to take courses in everything from accounting to medical transcription. There are also some community colleges in the area that offer online training.Other popular choices for college students and recent graduates in Lone Star include Houston Communi ty College, Lewisville Community College, and Allen County Community College. If you have some type of work experience, be sure to check with those institutions as well. If you are already employed, ask if you can submit your resume to any of these local companies. Lone Star is one of the fastest growing industries in the country.Another avenue for job seekers in Lone Star is online. Most companies use the internet to recruit workers, and the internet offers many different options for finding work. The basic way to find a job online is to do a search for jobs in 'Lone Star' using one of the popular search engines like Google or Yahoo.With a couple of clicks of your mouse, you can literally find hundreds of jobs, including those in retail, medical, IT, and sales. If you are already working for a company and looking for a new job, there are a number of businesses and small businesses that will hire you. These companies will usually provide you with your own hours and pay.Online Lone S tar employment opportunities include:If you are looking for jobs in Lone Star, there are a number of options available to you. You need to do a little bit of digging to locate the right job. The options are many.