Job Search Strategies

Nancy Bates, SPHRJacobs ESSSA Group

Job Search Strategies

• Know Thyself• Finding your Network• Job Search Tools• Hidden Job Market• Networking Tips• Informational Interviews• Plan it, Track It, Get the Job!

How did you get your last job?

• Social Network• Job Board• Corporate Website• Newspaper• ?

What tools do you use to find a job?

• Job Boards• Corporate Websites• Friends sharing on Social Networks

FaceBook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn• Temporary Agencies• Newspapers• Any Others?

How do you Think you will find your next job?

• Friend • Job boards• An agency• Job Fair• Corporate Website of a favorite company• Attend Industry Seminars & Conferences• Warriors to the Workforce Event!

What are your Preferences?

• What do you love about your current (or last) position?

• What don’t you like about your current (or last) position?

• What would be your ideal work schedule?

• Do you work best with people or alone? • With a lot of supervision or little

supervision?

What are your Preferences?

• What size organization and corporate culture are the best matches for you?

• How much money do you want/need to make?

• Is there a job at your current company that you would want to do? 

And/or is there a way your current job could become your dream job?

Next Steps to Your Dream Job

• Who in your life can you talk to about what it’s like to do X job?

• What will you do to find out more about the day to day realities of X job?

• Bonus Question• What’s your dream job?

Tools

• Business Cards: www.vistaprint.com• Start lists of Accomplishments, Interests• Create Bio• Elevator Pitch• Current Resume• Build Linkedin profile• Professional Email & Voice Message

How do you advertise yourself?

• Profile on Social Network• Online Resume• Blog• Website

Build an Online Presence

• Find companies you’re interested in – Subscribe to their blogs– Follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn, & Twitter– Follow their decisions makers– Learn what they’re talking about– Do a little research– Consider blogging

• Impress them with your interest and insights

Job Search Spreadsheet

• Keep track of your job applications and networking with a spreadsheet – Job applied for– Company & Contact name & numbers– Email & mailing addresses– Date & how resume was submitted– How you heard about the job– Comments– Website, User name & Password

Most Popular Websites

For finding job openings: • www.google.com • www.monster.com• www.careerbuilder.com • www.linkedin.com• www.Indeed.com• www.simplyhired.com• www.jobster.com

Tips for Creating Your Profile • List job search phone numbers • List job search email• Upload general resume (save with date)• If there is an option to set up an email alert

– DO IT EVERY TIME!• Customize every job application to the

best of your abilities• Review and modify often!

Job Search Pot Holes To Avoid

• You Nearly Completed Paper Work• You Didn’t Screen References• Your Social Media content is negative• You Underestimated The Depth Of

Background Checks• You Quit? No, You Were Fired!

Helpful Job Search Resources For Veterans

• O*Net Online http://www.onetonline.org/find/

• Veteran Recruiting/VetFriendly• http://www.veteranrecruiting.com/ • Hiring Our Heroes

http://www.hiringourheroes.org/• Hire Veterans http://www.hireveterans.com

/

Helpful Job Search Resources For Veterans

• Hire A Patriot • http://www.hirepatriots.com/• Military.com• http://www.military.com/• The Honor Bridge

http://thehonorbridge.com/ • Senior Military In Transition• http://seniormilitaryintransition.com/

Helpful Resources For Veterans

• Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)

• http://www.dfas.mil/ • Brothers Fund• http://www.brothersfund.org

Jacobs ESSSA Group Website

• Thought Starters• Job Networking Groups• Links to Job Search Resources • Veteran Resource Page• Huntsville Area Company Links• Chambers of Commerce

https://jacobsesssa.com/communications

Researching your Target Company• www.google.com• www.facebook.com• www.youtube.com• Company Website• Company Insiders

– www.linkedin.com – www.Twitter.com

• Search Engines– Financial Status

Networking!

• Is based on relationships – that are cultivated and nurtured – so that a mutual exchange of

information – advice and support – is given and received– Networking is discovering and targeting

your Hidden Job Market

Hidden Job Market

• Jobs that are not posted• Most are in the minds of employers• Employee referrals• Saves Companies:

– time – money – resources– staff

Use Networking to:

• Generate career options• Advance in career or leadership positions• Make a career decision• Open up opportunities to “try out” career• Locate job or internship leads• Provide emotional support during the ups

and downs

What is Networking Not?

• Bothering people• Being pushy• Cold Calling• A contest• One-sided

• It IS being focused

The Six Degrees of Networking

• You know someone– who knows someone else…– who knows someone else…– who knows someone else…– who knows someone else…– who knows about a job that might be a

fit for you

Where to Network

• One-on-one meetings with network contacts

• Conferences• Career/Job Fairs• Training Sessions• Networking Groups• Social Settings

Where to Network

• Social Networking sites– Linkedin– Facebook– Twitter– Google+

• Chamber of Commerce

Your networking opening line:

• Be cheerful, confident and straightforward

• Begin With A Compliment• Exploit connections and

recommendations• Mention common interests• Report news of interest to the target

Your networking opening line:

• Wait for a response• Be mindful to know when to stop talking• Write down your opening lines before

picking up the phone• Practice!

Networking In person

• Firm hand shake, be the first• Maintain eye contact• Dress appropriately• Bring business card, resumes• Lists of questions, notes• Stand up straight• SMILE• Be polite

Establishing Rapport

• Speak clearly• Convey enthusiasm• Don’t speak too fast or slowly• Remain poised and relaxed• Minimize distracting body language• Avoid Distractions

Networking by Telephone

• Background quiet• Be aware of Time • Stand• Be prepared• Leave an articulate, well prepared voice

mail requesting an appointment• May I have 20 minutes of your time?

– In-person is best, if feasible

Skills Learned from Networking

• Research• Writing• Oral Presentation• Leadership• Persistence

• Patience• Organization• Marketing• Global Thinking• Diversity Awareness

Networking

• Network circle• 10 / 10• Online networking: LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com • Asking for help - specifically• Follow-up: so you are on their radar

screen• Keep your network alive

Now What?

With our contacts we now need to research:• Their occupation & employer• Their backgrounds • Create a list of questions/conversational

statements that reflect your research• Have a list of your goals• Informational interview

Target individuals for your network:

• Focus on what you want to achieve and how people can help you

• To find suitable companies• Gather key information on these

companies• Figure out who is the one with the power

to hire you• Find people connections and common

areas of interest

Network Contacts

• Personal • Work• Education• Acquaintance• Professional

Group

• Multimedia• Personal

Services• Professional

Services

Divide Your Network List Into:

• People who can help plot your goals

• People closely linked to your career goals

• Professionals with expertise, i.e., career counselors

• Mentors who set a good example & can offer advice

• People who can provide emotional support

Talented Networkers

• Help others…..the Universe • Show their appreciation• Give more than you get• Hang around with employed people• Make Outings Count• Get involved

Networking Tips

Attend conferencesBe a leaderConnect with peopleGet to know your surroundingsFind role modelsJob shadow

Networking Tips

Get an internshipVolunteer in your communityBroaden your horizonsSend thank you notes

Hand written are unforgettableStart a portfolio

What is the informational interview?

• Talking with people currently working in a field to gain a better understanding of an occupation or industry

• A great way to build relationships in an organization

• Provides an opportunity to see a job and an organization from the inside

• Get tips for the field

Informational Interview Goals• To get to know you

– Experience, work history, SKILLS, etc.• Knowledge of their occupation• Education or work history

– How did they get here?• Related groups, clubs, or volunteer

opportunities• To get your name out there• Another contact

Informational Interviews

• Ask For An Informational Interview• Clearly Define What You Want

To Get Out Of The Meeting• Getting A Job

– Should Not Be Your Immediate Goal

Informational Interviews

• Go With The Flow• Prepare• Dress For Success• Don’t Forget To Follow-Up And Send The

Thank You Letter

Suggested attire for men• Solid color, conservative suit • White long sleeve shirt • Conservative tie • Dark socks, professional shoes • Neat, professional hairstyle • Go easy on the aftershave • Neatly trimmed nails • Portfolio or briefcase

Suggested attire for women• Solid color, conservative suit or dress• Coordinated blouse • Moderate shoes • Limited jewelry • Neat, professional hairstyle • Tan or light hosiery • Sparse make-up & perfume • Manicured nails • Portfolio or briefcase

Networking Land Mines To Avoid

• You Didn’t Sell Yourself• You Used The “Me, Me, Me” Networking

Technique• You Appeared Unteachable• You Didn’t Listen Well. (Or At All.)• You Told A White Lie (It’s A Lie!)

Plan Your Job Search

• Identify jobs / companies• Get Your Tools Handy• Schedule Time• Volunteer• Network daily• It’s your job until you find a job

Networking Goals

• Goals– Research, preparation– Networking– 3 contacts a day

• Preferably face-to-face

• Networking Events– 10+ quality contacts per event

Parting Thoughts

• Applying to every position online doesn’t always get the best results

• So get out and make connections• Find some hidden jobs and make it

happen• Keeping an upbeat attitude is critical to

your success

Get Started!

• Network• Questions• Comments• Suggestions• Contact Me

– Nancy.Bates@nasa.gov– LinkedIn – Twitter - @RktSciRecruiter https://jacobsesssa.com/communications