Learn how to find your next job
You will need:
1. A computer with Internet access
2. A couple of email accounts
3. Phone - regular or cellular
4. Pen - anything you can write with
5. A pad to write on
Intangible:
1. Time - this will take time - the more you put into it the better the results
2. Skills (anything you can do that someone is willing to pay for) - the more you have the easier the process.
This last one is the great equalizer!
A willingness to work to get what you want!
( it helps if you know what you want - but that's a whole other lens)
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Unless you are independently wealthy (and if you were you'd probably have hired someone to read this for you), everyone needs a job at some point. This page is all about how to find a job. It’s a step by step approach that requires hard work but will deliver results for you.
These methods are tried and tested and will work irrespective of if you are looking for a better job, a next job or just a job. It really does not matter what industry you work in and what your level of skill or pay is.
You do have to put some work into the process, and you must persist, the alternative is to do nothing and be unhappy, its really a choice you have to make.
These methods are tried and tested and will work irrespective of if you are looking for a better job, a next job or just a job. It really does not matter what industry you work in and what your level of skill or pay is.
You do have to put some work into the process, and you must persist, the alternative is to do nothing and be unhappy, its really a choice you have to make.
An overview
You need a job? I am happy to teach you a couple of techniques for getting your next job.
We will cover two primary approaches to finding your new job, and we will touch on how to stay focused and what not to do.
The Qualitative approach - this is what is most likely to find you your next job.
The Quantitative approach - this is a way to increase your chances - expose you to more opportunity.
Staying Focused
What not to Do
We will cover two primary approaches to finding your new job, and we will touch on how to stay focused and what not to do.
The Qualitative approach - this is what is most likely to find you your next job.
The Quantitative approach - this is a way to increase your chances - expose you to more opportunity.
Staying Focused
What not to Do
You will need:1. A computer with Internet access
2. A couple of email accounts
3. Phone - regular or cellular
4. Pen - anything you can write with
5. A pad to write on
Intangible:
1. Time - this will take time - the more you put into it the better the results
2. Skills (anything you can do that someone is willing to pay for) - the more you have the easier the process.
This last one is the great equalizer!
A willingness to work to get what you want!
( it helps if you know what you want - but that's a whole other lens)
Start your Job hunt TODAY - do not wait for tomorrow, or the next week or the next month. Once you have a job offer you can always figure out a way to take off some time to relax / find your self / do the laundry or clean house or what ever amazing thing you feel you have to do first.
It is very important that you keep a log of what you do every day:
Who did you speak with? what did you speak about? what are the follow up items?- for example call back in a month to check on a possible opening. Did the person mention a vacation they were looking forward too? if you remember this you can ask them about it next time you call them.
What jobs did you apply to? You will have many balls in the air many jobs you apply for with the same company with different companies, when you get a call back you should not be confused about which job you think the call back is about.
Writing things down shows you if you have slacked off and have not done enough on a particular day. Writing things down shows you how much work you have done it is encouraging.
You need a resume - if you do not have one make one now. If you can not make your own pay someone else to make one for you.
The most valuable space on your resume is the top half of the first page, this is all most employers read when scanning through a pile of resumes, if you do not have their attention with this you do not have the opportunity to get to the next step.
Your resume should at the max be 2 pages long, each page should have your name and contact information somewhere on that page. For all other information please see a good guide on how to create a resume.
Do not rule out any opportunity until you have an offer on the table. For example if someone wants to fly you to the coldest most isolated spot in Greenland for an interview - try your best to go, do not dismiss the opportunity even if you would never ever want to work in a cold place, you do not have all the information yet. When they offer you the job then you weight the opportunity, what do you get vs what do you not get vs what do you give up and make a decision.
It is very important that you keep a log of what you do every day:
Who did you speak with? what did you speak about? what are the follow up items?- for example call back in a month to check on a possible opening. Did the person mention a vacation they were looking forward too? if you remember this you can ask them about it next time you call them.
What jobs did you apply to? You will have many balls in the air many jobs you apply for with the same company with different companies, when you get a call back you should not be confused about which job you think the call back is about.
Writing things down shows you if you have slacked off and have not done enough on a particular day. Writing things down shows you how much work you have done it is encouraging.
You need a resume - if you do not have one make one now. If you can not make your own pay someone else to make one for you.
The most valuable space on your resume is the top half of the first page, this is all most employers read when scanning through a pile of resumes, if you do not have their attention with this you do not have the opportunity to get to the next step.
Your resume should at the max be 2 pages long, each page should have your name and contact information somewhere on that page. For all other information please see a good guide on how to create a resume.
Do not rule out any opportunity until you have an offer on the table. For example if someone wants to fly you to the coldest most isolated spot in Greenland for an interview - try your best to go, do not dismiss the opportunity even if you would never ever want to work in a cold place, you do not have all the information yet. When they offer you the job then you weight the opportunity, what do you get vs what do you not get vs what do you give up and make a decision.
The Qualitative Approach
The Quality approach - This approach requires more time and effort than the Quantitative approach but has a much higher probability of success. This approach is fundamentally based on reaching people one on one or as close to one on one as you can get. Its all about networking.
Guidelines for Networking
1. EVERYONE is valuable - do not dismiss anyone you meet and get to know - this does not mean you have to be friends with EVERYONE just be acquainted, be interested and stay in touch
2. Knowing people alone does nothing for you, people have to think of you in a positive light, they have to like you, they have to remember you - make your self useful to them, do a favor, help them, send them some useful information, show your value to them
3. The more people you know, that like you, the more opportunities you will be exposed to.
Tools for Networking:
1. Listen - Learn to listen to people, to what they are saying, what is on their mind, what is important to them. Understand what help they need.
2. Phone - you know reach out and touch someone - keep in touch with people, ask them how they are doing - and not only when you want something from them. A network has to be cared for and nurtured and kept up with.
3. Social Networking sites online - use them
For Example:
http://www.LINKEDIN.com - Excellent Professional Networking site - showoff your business persona
http://www.Facebook.com - Show people you are more than just about work - but do not show too much
You know a lot of people - much more than you THINK you know. Remember that kid in Junior High that you used to hang with - look him up! The parents of kids in your kids swimming class? The guy that always sits next to you in the train? Everyone you ever met that you met more than three times is a friend waiting to happen.
Most people find jobs through other people.
Guidelines for Networking
1. EVERYONE is valuable - do not dismiss anyone you meet and get to know - this does not mean you have to be friends with EVERYONE just be acquainted, be interested and stay in touch
2. Knowing people alone does nothing for you, people have to think of you in a positive light, they have to like you, they have to remember you - make your self useful to them, do a favor, help them, send them some useful information, show your value to them
3. The more people you know, that like you, the more opportunities you will be exposed to.
Tools for Networking:
1. Listen - Learn to listen to people, to what they are saying, what is on their mind, what is important to them. Understand what help they need.
2. Phone - you know reach out and touch someone - keep in touch with people, ask them how they are doing - and not only when you want something from them. A network has to be cared for and nurtured and kept up with.
3. Social Networking sites online - use them
For Example:
http://www.LINKEDIN.com - Excellent Professional Networking site - showoff your business persona
http://www.Facebook.com - Show people you are more than just about work - but do not show too much
You know a lot of people - much more than you THINK you know. Remember that kid in Junior High that you used to hang with - look him up! The parents of kids in your kids swimming class? The guy that always sits next to you in the train? Everyone you ever met that you met more than three times is a friend waiting to happen.
Most people find jobs through other people.
The Quantitative Approach
The Quantity approach - it is a mistake to neglect Approach I, this approach is meant as a supplement to the Qualitative approach. This approach is about increasing ones chances, think of this as the lotto approach.
Pick 100 to 200 companies that you think you would like to work for or you think are hiring (use some criteria to pick the companies anything that helps you to get a pool of companies you wan to apply to).
Go to their websites (almost every company has a website and if they do not then call them or fax them), post your resume on their website, most of these websites allow you to create a profile, some let you set up job searches that automatically email you when something that fits you comes up. Apply for jobs that you might be interested in. Remember you can be picky once you have an offer at this stage apply to things that are interesting to you.
Go on your social networking sites, or your contact list and see if you know someone in this company, if yes then call them up and talk to them about the fact that you applied for a job at this company. If you do not know someone at the company see if someone you know, knows someone at this company - LinkedIN.com is great for this - see if you can get an introduction to this person you do not know - network with them see approach number one.
Do as many of these applications a day as you can.
Approach 2b
Create a copy of your resume without personal information, ie: replace name with initials, company names with generic terms like fortune 100 company etc. Create a secondary email address. Put this as the only contact on this version of the resume. Think of this resume as being stuck on a notice board or as a large billboard - so be careful what information you post here.
Post this resume on sites like www.Careerbuilder.com www.Monster.com and other job boards. The reason that you do not want to put your name here is because you are broadcasting and you do not know who will receive so you want to be careful. At the same time you want to be able to learn about legitimate opportunities.
Everyday check your secondary email box and you decide which opportunities you wish to respond to and then respond with your full resume.
Pick 100 to 200 companies that you think you would like to work for or you think are hiring (use some criteria to pick the companies anything that helps you to get a pool of companies you wan to apply to).
Go to their websites (almost every company has a website and if they do not then call them or fax them), post your resume on their website, most of these websites allow you to create a profile, some let you set up job searches that automatically email you when something that fits you comes up. Apply for jobs that you might be interested in. Remember you can be picky once you have an offer at this stage apply to things that are interesting to you.
Go on your social networking sites, or your contact list and see if you know someone in this company, if yes then call them up and talk to them about the fact that you applied for a job at this company. If you do not know someone at the company see if someone you know, knows someone at this company - LinkedIN.com is great for this - see if you can get an introduction to this person you do not know - network with them see approach number one.
Do as many of these applications a day as you can.
Approach 2b
Create a copy of your resume without personal information, ie: replace name with initials, company names with generic terms like fortune 100 company etc. Create a secondary email address. Put this as the only contact on this version of the resume. Think of this resume as being stuck on a notice board or as a large billboard - so be careful what information you post here.
Post this resume on sites like www.Careerbuilder.com www.Monster.com and other job boards. The reason that you do not want to put your name here is because you are broadcasting and you do not know who will receive so you want to be careful. At the same time you want to be able to learn about legitimate opportunities.
Everyday check your secondary email box and you decide which opportunities you wish to respond to and then respond with your full resume.
One final word
In the final analysis what will determine your ability to find a job is you. Yes it is easier to find work when the economy is doing well and more difficult to find work when the economy is not doing well. However in every economy there are people that find and keep jobs. You can be one of those people.
Whatever you do - do not stop. Do not pause. Persist. When you are tired, persist. When you feel like you are not getting anywhere persist. Persistence will pay off.
Winston Churchill said - "When you are going through hell - keep going!" the alternative, to spell it out is to stay in hell.
Whatever you do - do not stop. Do not pause. Persist. When you are tired, persist. When you feel like you are not getting anywhere persist. Persistence will pay off.
Winston Churchill said - "When you are going through hell - keep going!" the alternative, to spell it out is to stay in hell.
If you found this article useful please share it with your friends and family.
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