Getting Back to the Job Hunt Survival strategies for people who are back in the job hunt after a long time.

By Kathleen SmithCMO, ClearedJobs.Net

4 Myths of Job Search

I can do it the way I have always done it

Myth #1

A long time ago in a galaxy far away…

A job search included…. Printed newspaper adsMailing or faxing a resume Calling on a landline and speaking with someone Networking

And you more than likely stayed in that job for at least 5-10 years….

Today’s job search You are found by keywords

Technology will control your access to employers and their access to you

Social media is not used by just your kids, it is used by employers to check up on you

You will change jobs every 3-5 years

However, networking is still very important an d the key way to find a job… you just have to leverage the tools to support your networking.

The many tools to the job search…. Before it was just answering advertisements and networking…

Now it includes a variety of tools and avenues…

Job boardsJob FairsSocial and business networkingOnline and offline networking Blogging and self promotion Employee referral programs

Myth #2

It’s hard, I can’t do it

Learning new skills… Many of the same skills you use now … project management, multi tasking and adapting to new skills….

You will use of these skills now in your job search

Introspection is always difficult

Myth #3

They are just going to have to like me the way I am

You may not think you need to do these things…

The lack of information or the wrong information is going to hinder your job search

Your reputation is already established by our colleagues, supervisors and clients

How are you going to market reputation?

Do you know what your reputation “truly” is?

You might have to do a SWOT analysis on “You”…. Strengths……Skills, abilities, clearance, SME Work style Network

Weaknesses…..Do you need more .edu or certs? Holes in your network?

Opportunities…Learning new skillsAbility to move

Threats……Does your image need an overhaul? Limited skill set?

Myth #4

Once I get a job, I won’t have to do this “stuff” again….

Job Search is the New Career….Every 3-5 years you will be looking for a new job. Professionals will on average change careers 11 times.

Changing Your Thinking This is a life search not just a job search – who you are, what you have to offer, what you want, how you are going to package yourself

This will be an evolving project

Making technology your friend

Implementing New Tactics

Developing content for your resumes, profiles and networking

Thinking of your skills in terms of keywords for your resumes, your profiles and your searches

Developing ( or reviving your network) and “working” it online and offline

Doing research through your networks to find out about companies, contacts and job postings

Promoting Yourself

Self promotion once thought of an ego maniac pursuit, is now at the crux of a job search

Packaging yourself – email, cell phone, resume, profiles

Clearing up or cleaning up bad credit or bad juju in your career past. Yes, you will have to upload a picture

Finding New Sources of Job Postings

Job BoardsCorporate Career SitesTrade Associations LinkedIn GroupsJob FairsNetworking events

Ways to Use LinkedIn to support your career search and development

Crafting your Profile properly which means:

Picture & SummaryList accomplishmentsBlog, twitter, websiteUpdate at least monthly, more so if in an active search

Status Updates – 2-3 times a week

Your Network – 500+

LinkedIn – How You Connect with Others

Your network is part of your brand

Personalizing and customizing your invitations

Providing recommendations for current and previous co-workers

Groups for networking and job postings

“Like” ing posts, commenting, being an active part of the community

Following companies, organizations

Use Facebook to support your career search

Active user of Facebook?

Be sure to set up the lists of people you share information with between your close BFFs and the general public;

Fill out your profile similar to your resume if you are in an active search

Not on Facebook?

Set up a minimum profile to be able to communicate and be found

“Like” companies, organizations , government agencies

Be part of key trade association groups in the industry

Use Twitter to support your career search Customize your “bio” to include your skills & info recruiters to search

Follow companies that you are interested in and/or their job posting feed

Follow/ connect with recruiters & SME’s in your industry

Gather information on key topics, comment on it and share with your network

Quality not quantity

Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People

"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.“

Thank you!

Kathleen Smith ClearedJobs.Net