How to Organize your Job Search By Candace Davies
How to Organize your Job Search
By Candace Davies
Your job search can be enjoyable and successful! It takes organization and persistence. It is also valuable to have a well-focused goal. After all - searching for a job is a job!
If you want to have an enjoyable and successful job search you need to be organized and persistent. It's valuable to understand what your goal is and work diligently towards it - after all, it is your life.
Adding structure to your job search will decrease the time it takes to get the job you want. You need to be working the system whether you are employed or unemployed, and even if you are not ready to move on to a new job right away. The system is the same whether you are looking for full- or part-time employment, consulting, casual, or contracting work. Why? Because job search in a changing economy means you need to be constantly aware of the market, the opportunities inside and outside your present situation and of what you have to offer.
The time to become aware of your opportunities is not when you are under pressure to find a new job. Make sure you are always looking around, so you are not overwhelmed when and if the time comes for a real job search.
Your job search should start by choosing or targeting your job market. Select a city/town you'd be willing to work in, an industry or company size, and a job or function within that industry. For example, you may want to be a Web Project Manager in a small company in Toronto. That`s your target market. Then it`s time to embark on the dozens of equally important steps. There are resumes, cover letters, follow-up and thank you letters to compose. You need to network by contacting personal friends, colleagues and executive search firms. You need to answer ads and constantly follow up. It is easy to lose sight of what is most important.
There are only four main aspects of a job-search. They are: targeting, getting interviews, interviewing, and following up. Every step of your job search develops out of your targets, which lead to interviews and then to job offers (The wonderful words you are waiting for, "we would like to make you an offer"). Make sure you don`t just accept any offer. Learn to negotiate for a mutually beneficial offer. If you are successful in these aspects, you will be focused and less affected by errors in other areas of your search.
Many job searchers wonder how long the search will take. Each phase in your search can vary significantly depending on your needs and desires as well as the number of available opportunities in your area. For example, selecting the area in which you want to work can be as simple as saying, "I want to be a sales associate in a large established store." It could be as detailed as "I want a management position in a growing new media business in any major city, where I can make decisions-freely show my creativity and work with team player who are influential in their industry. The position needs to lead to advancement."
If helps to be well connected and to know people in hiring positions. It helps when you and the interviewer hit it off quickly. It would be nice if all job searches were this way, but in reality, they`re not. The beginning to end could take a few months. The average job hunt takes longer. Statistics show that professionals and middle managers take an average of five to six months and sometimes longer to find the position they desire. Career changers take longer. People currently employed usually take longer, because they often don't have as much time to devote to their search. It is estimated that it takes one month for every $10K you want to earn.
There are many reasons it can take you longer. For example, you may not be clear about what you want or what you want may not be practical. Maybe it is realistic, but there are no immediate openings. Maybe there are openings, but you don't know where. Maybe you hear of an opportunity, but do not know the person in a position to hire you. Maybe, you meet someone in a position to hire you, but the two of you don't hit it off.
Dedicate sufficient time and energy to your hunt if you seriously intend to find an appropriate position. A thorough search is so much work that the job you finally land will seem easy by comparison. On the other hand, job hunting is like any other skill: you'll get better at it with practice. You'll study the techniques, and you'll learn more about what`s right for you. You'll become aware of what's happening in your chosen field, so that when you start a formal search it won't take so long.
The 21st Century approach to job searching is to keep up with changes in your company and your target area. Continue to advance you education, read trade reports, and keep up on the latest technology. I can't stress it enough, to compete in today`s competitive market, you must know yourself, the market - both inside and outside your company to contend against skilled job searchers. Make Job Search an everyday ritual; it is no longer something that happens only when you want to change jobs. Conduct it informally all the time to stay sharp in your present position.
You should always be aware of what may adversely affect your present security. Don't expect your employer to tell you that the company or your department is heading in a different direction. Be ready when change comes. Take advantage of change so you can move your career in the direction you want it to go.
In today's world, many people job-hunt virtually all the time. I know many people who plan to stay with their company, but are ready with an updated resume to distribute when and if the time occurs. They believe an up-to-date resume is necessary - even though they have been working at the same company for a number
of years! Job searching does not necessarily mean you want to change jobs now. Maybe your next job change is a few years down the road. Or maybe someone will change your job for you - without asking. Will you be ready for your next move?
It is important to plan your career transitions; don't have them forced upon you. It is very important to constantly ask yourself: What job is right for me? What do I do well? What give me the most satisfaction in my job? The answers to these questions will help you assess you present job situation. Don't leave your
job for another one that is equally unsatisfying.
Career changes are initiated by organizational changes - such as down-sizing, closure, or a major technological change. You and your goals can also initiate it. Stay on top of your job searching skills and prepare your job search documents for an up coming change - when you least expect it.
Hire a professional career coach to help you get on the right path and ensure a successful job search, remember finding the job doesn't have to be stressful.
Candace Davies BBA, CPRW, FCI, CMI, Grande Prairie, AB CanadaCando Career Coaching
and Resume Writing Helping People Get on the Right Path HYPERLINK "http://www.candocareer.com" http://www.candocareer.com and HYPERLINK "mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. " This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The author provides free resumes and cover letter examples and career tips in her Web sites at HYPERLINK "http://www.all-trades-resume-writing.com" www.all-trades-resume-writing.com and HYPERLINK "http://www.candocareer.com" http://www.candocareer.com.
Copyright Candace Davies, Cando Career Coaching, and Resume Writing - 2000
By Candace Davies
Your job search can be enjoyable and successful! It takes organization and persistence. It is also valuable to have a well-focused goal. After all - searching for a job is a job!
If you want to have an enjoyable and successful job search you need to be organized and persistent. It's valuable to understand what your goal is and work diligently towards it - after all, it is your life.
Adding structure to your job search will decrease the time it takes to get the job you want. You need to be working the system whether you are employed or unemployed, and even if you are not ready to move on to a new job right away. The system is the same whether you are looking for full- or part-time employment, consulting, casual, or contracting work. Why? Because job search in a changing economy means you need to be constantly aware of the market, the opportunities inside and outside your present situation and of what you have to offer.
The time to become aware of your opportunities is not when you are under pressure to find a new job. Make sure you are always looking around, so you are not overwhelmed when and if the time comes for a real job search.
Your job search should start by choosing or targeting your job market. Select a city/town you'd be willing to work in, an industry or company size, and a job or function within that industry. For example, you may want to be a Web Project Manager in a small company in Toronto. That`s your target market. Then it`s time to embark on the dozens of equally important steps. There are resumes, cover letters, follow-up and thank you letters to compose. You need to network by contacting personal friends, colleagues and executive search firms. You need to answer ads and constantly follow up. It is easy to lose sight of what is most important.
There are only four main aspects of a job-search. They are: targeting, getting interviews, interviewing, and following up. Every step of your job search develops out of your targets, which lead to interviews and then to job offers (The wonderful words you are waiting for, "we would like to make you an offer"). Make sure you don`t just accept any offer. Learn to negotiate for a mutually beneficial offer. If you are successful in these aspects, you will be focused and less affected by errors in other areas of your search.
Many job searchers wonder how long the search will take. Each phase in your search can vary significantly depending on your needs and desires as well as the number of available opportunities in your area. For example, selecting the area in which you want to work can be as simple as saying, "I want to be a sales associate in a large established store." It could be as detailed as "I want a management position in a growing new media business in any major city, where I can make decisions-freely show my creativity and work with team player who are influential in their industry. The position needs to lead to advancement."
If helps to be well connected and to know people in hiring positions. It helps when you and the interviewer hit it off quickly. It would be nice if all job searches were this way, but in reality, they`re not. The beginning to end could take a few months. The average job hunt takes longer. Statistics show that professionals and middle managers take an average of five to six months and sometimes longer to find the position they desire. Career changers take longer. People currently employed usually take longer, because they often don't have as much time to devote to their search. It is estimated that it takes one month for every $10K you want to earn.
There are many reasons it can take you longer. For example, you may not be clear about what you want or what you want may not be practical. Maybe it is realistic, but there are no immediate openings. Maybe there are openings, but you don't know where. Maybe you hear of an opportunity, but do not know the person in a position to hire you. Maybe, you meet someone in a position to hire you, but the two of you don't hit it off.
Dedicate sufficient time and energy to your hunt if you seriously intend to find an appropriate position. A thorough search is so much work that the job you finally land will seem easy by comparison. On the other hand, job hunting is like any other skill: you'll get better at it with practice. You'll study the techniques, and you'll learn more about what`s right for you. You'll become aware of what's happening in your chosen field, so that when you start a formal search it won't take so long.
The 21st Century approach to job searching is to keep up with changes in your company and your target area. Continue to advance you education, read trade reports, and keep up on the latest technology. I can't stress it enough, to compete in today`s competitive market, you must know yourself, the market - both inside and outside your company to contend against skilled job searchers. Make Job Search an everyday ritual; it is no longer something that happens only when you want to change jobs. Conduct it informally all the time to stay sharp in your present position.
You should always be aware of what may adversely affect your present security. Don't expect your employer to tell you that the company or your department is heading in a different direction. Be ready when change comes. Take advantage of change so you can move your career in the direction you want it to go.
In today's world, many people job-hunt virtually all the time. I know many people who plan to stay with their company, but are ready with an updated resume to distribute when and if the time occurs. They believe an up-to-date resume is necessary - even though they have been working at the same company for a number
of years! Job searching does not necessarily mean you want to change jobs now. Maybe your next job change is a few years down the road. Or maybe someone will change your job for you - without asking. Will you be ready for your next move?
It is important to plan your career transitions; don't have them forced upon you. It is very important to constantly ask yourself: What job is right for me? What do I do well? What give me the most satisfaction in my job? The answers to these questions will help you assess you present job situation. Don't leave your
job for another one that is equally unsatisfying.
Career changes are initiated by organizational changes - such as down-sizing, closure, or a major technological change. You and your goals can also initiate it. Stay on top of your job searching skills and prepare your job search documents for an up coming change - when you least expect it.
Hire a professional career coach to help you get on the right path and ensure a successful job search, remember finding the job doesn't have to be stressful.
Candace Davies BBA, CPRW, FCI, CMI, Grande Prairie, AB CanadaCando Career Coaching
and Resume Writing Helping People Get on the Right Path HYPERLINK "http://www.candocareer.com" http://www.candocareer.com and HYPERLINK "mailto:
The author provides free resumes and cover letter examples and career tips in her Web sites at HYPERLINK "http://www.all-trades-resume-writing.com" www.all-trades-resume-writing.com and HYPERLINK "http://www.candocareer.com" http://www.candocareer.com.
Copyright Candace Davies, Cando Career Coaching, and Resume Writing - 2000