Work Smarter, Not Harder Creating a Job Search Strategy in a Tough Economy

Sue Danbom | Usman Chaudry

Volt Workforce Solutions

Presentation for APICS MM.DD.2008 | © 2008 Volt Information Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. Proprietary & Confidential.

Overview

Creating a Job Search Strategy:

• Building a resume• Building a virtual presence• Finding opportunities• Interviewing

Building a Resume

• 2 Formats: – Chronological

– Functional

• Does your resume…– Scream “Call me!!!”

– Have MSA’s?

(If not, get them!!!)

– Keywords

Made, Saved, and Achieved’s…

• Made: • Products/Services you’ve created, • Ideas you’ve created• Sales

• Saved: • Time• Money • Reduction in costs

• Achieved: • Greatest Accomplishments

Quantifiable

MSA Example

What have you made, saved, or achieved for your employers?• Provide example• Give quantifiable results

MSA Version“I provided technical support to 300 employees with computer

difficulties locally and remotely using Altiris Remote Control,

resulting in a reduced response time from 3 ½ hours to 2 hours.

and I reduced number of service tickets 30% from 100 to 70 in my first month.”

Building a Virtual Presence

Attract Attention• Choose appropriate site• Prepare profile carefully

• Post picture

• Experience and education

• MSA’s

• Keywords

• Contact information

• Create network• Update frequently

Building a Virtual Presence

Create On-line Profiles on Social Media Sites

• LinkedIn• Facebook• Twitter• Google• You Tube

Finding Opportunities

Where do you find jobs?

What is the most effective method?  • Post and Pray? • Submit to jobs on job boards?• Networking?

Finding Opportunities

Where do you find jobs?

If your only answer is…

“Applying to job ads and postings…”

…that’s NOT ENOUGH in today’s economy.

Finding Opportunities

Apply directly to company websites

Apply directly using Job Aggregators • Indeed.com• Indeed.ca• Simplyhired.com

Join groups to network• Ning.com• Google Groups• Yahoo! Groups• MSN Groups

Job Search Strategy

Take a comprehensive approach• Update your resume with MSAs...Very important!!!!• Add keywords to be searchable• Post to the major job boards..i.e Monster, Workopolis,

CareerBuilder etc. • Apply directly to target companies• Network

• Family• Friends (Friends of friends/family) • Colleagues, Managers (Past and present)• Associations/groups

Job Search Strategy

How will they find you?• Tweak your resume for each job. • Applying via e-mail…

• Include your resume and cover letter in the body

AND

• Attach resume and cover letter soft copy

• Create a follow-up spreadsheet to track applications

• Follow up with applications on a weekly basis.

Interviewing for Success

Interviewing for Success

• Know the job description• Research the company• What can you contribute? (MSA’s)

• To the position

• To the company

• What personal characteristics make you successful? (Examples)

• Why do you want the position?• Prepare questions

Interviewing for Success

• Be prompt• Dress appropriately• Treat everyone with

respect• Bring your resume• Turn off your phone• Give a firm handshake• Be positive and make it a

conversation

Practice, Practice, Practice

5Ps:

– James Baker

TO INTERVIEW

Follow Up

Thank everyone you spoke to

In Review

Working Smarter Not Harder• Perfecting your resume and cover

letter each time• Building a virtual presence and

networking• Finding opportunities – use a

comprehensive, proactive approach

• Prepare and practice for interviewing

• Follow up

Creating a Job Search Strategy In a Tough Economy

Questions

Thank you