Guide to Successful Career Search

James Partin

In the past you may have had great successes, however recently entering or reentering the workforce has been challenging. Your story might be that you just graduated from college and achieved a bachelor or masters degree you have high expectations as you should. You are ready to challenge the fates, however so far you feel lost without direction and are sure what to do. You have not found a position that offers you the opportunity to use the skills you have learned. Your worries are that you may have degrees on the wall but you end up delivering pizza.

Maybe that is not your story maybe instead you had the a great job in a fortune 500 company. You had the nice salary with
with many digits. You have a family, maybe kids the nice house with the picket fence, you take the nice vacations to the ocean, or the mountains for getaway every year. You go out to eat every week in nice restaurants, do the theatre, you season tickets to you favorite sporting venue. You are living the dream and now its all gone. Your company downsized and the salary and the perks are gone. The economy has been slow and you haven’t been able to find anything close to what you where doing. So
depression sets in.

So even thou times are tough right now there are time tested ideas methods You can use in your career search as well as success in land the job once you get the interview.

Brainstorming
Brainstorming or developing a plan of attack is the first step in launching a successful job search. This is the time to ask yourself questions as to your strengths, weaknesses? Questions like what skills do I have that employers, might be interested in, what experience, education, training that will be valuable to them? Who is my targeted employers that would be interested in
these talents? Lots of times people limit there success by putting up false barriers or self limiting ideas. This might be a teacher who can’t find a teaching job because of school district budget constraints. Maybe there are teaching jobs in border states and they limit to just a geographic area. Also maybe there are employers who need people with certain talents that teacher has such as lecturing ability, writing, training new workers. Those skills could be useful to an corporate environment and not just in the schools.

Maybe a accountant who worked for accounting firm is out of work due to downsizing and can’t find a job. Are there other companies that need someone to do these activities in-house rather then outsourcing. Also how about a non-profits that need someone with these same skills. Maybe, the solution is hang out the sign and start your own business, or maybe consulting.

Some people call this whole process “building castles” others might call It drawing circles, and then bigger circles, the inter circles are what you have already tried and the outer ones are your new strategies. What haven’t I done yet that I could try.

Practical ideas
So you need some places to look to help you brainstorm for ideas.

Here are some resources that you can use.

The local Chamber of commerce usually has a directory of there members in that area. It will list there addresses what they do, and key contacts. This directory will have # of employees that company has. This can be attained at the chamber for usually for a small cost of the directory. The local library may also have this book that you can use.

Most colleges have career development centers if you are alumni of that college and you have your resume on file with them they can sometimes help by passing along your information to prospective employers.

Most local community newspapers, and business journals have listing of open positions with area employers they are looking for they are worth checking out.

Temp agencies are great places to start your job search they offer a excellent way to get your foot in the door and gain experience. Many times a assignment turns into a career position if they like your work.

Job expos offer a opportunity to learn about employers on a one on one basis. This can offer you a chance to exchange ideas, ask questions about a
Company and maybe land a position.

Networking is one of the most valuable resources available to you, family, friends, college associates, former professors, instructors, past coworkers might know of a opportunity for you to lead to successful career. So let everyone know you are looking they are on your team.

Professional organizations in your chosen area of expertise many times have job banks so joining there organization may open a door to you.

Internet searches there are several internet sites that allow you to list your resume to prospective employers.

Also even thou you are busy with job search volunteering for a non-profit can clear the mind and possible provide valuable experience in a new area.

Resumes
There are basic rules when creating a resume. This is the first impression That a employer will have to get to know you. You may went to also use a Cover letter to detail more specifics on why you would be a great employee.

First use a high quality cotton paper if mailing in resume. This shows professionalism.

List more then one phone # where you can reached at, also email etc. The easier To reach you the better because they will have many resumes to look through.

Keep the Resume and Cover letter to one page each if possible.

List duties preformed with a take charge or confident attitude. Use Power words such as, “Managed”, “Organized”, “Coordinated”, etc. Also if you know Amounts or totals of the activities you did. Such as Processed 5000 weekly trained 15 new employees, Raised 100K for this program, Sold this amount monthly. The Employer is looking for a guide on how successful or valuable employee you will be for them.

Don’t forget to list any awards, or bonuses that you may have received in previous employment, or titles, awards from colleges etc.

Interviews

Now that you have got your chance to show your talents, there are rules that are time tested.

Dressing for the interview you want to appear professional and you know what you are doing. Men should wear a conservative attire. The blue, gray, black suit with white shirt also maybe a watch. Woman, a conservative dress, skirt, pant suit. Nothing to flashy. Jewelry should be limited.

There should be a open exchange of ideas. Answer there questions as completely as possible, however offer opened ended questions so they can detail what the position involves. This is a time to rapport. It is a time to show you are truly interested in them.

It is ok to offer insight to hobbies, or volunteer activities you are involved if it seems practical.

Follow Up

A follow up letter/ thank you letter shows that you appreciated them taking time to meet with you and your continued to interest in the opportunity.

Conclusion
A career search can take time, however if done right can lead to the first step in many future success.

James Partin is a freelance writer