Copyright © 2011-2014 by National Able Network ®. All Rights ReservedCopyright © 2011-2014 by National Able Network ®. All Rights ReservedCopyright © 2011-2014 by National Able Network ®. All Rights Reserved
Participant Handout
Name:________________________________
Developing an Effective Job Search Plan
Copyright © 2011-2014 by National Able Network ®. All Rights Reserved
Studies show that most job seekers have not developed an effective job search plan and are not investing enough time into the job search process. Accordingly, it takes a lot longer to obtain the results they seek.
In this workshop, the key components to an effective job search plan will be discussed. The importance of networking, both face-to-face and via the Internet, will be reviewed. Strategies which enable job seekers to evaluate their progress as well as promote ongoing commitment to the job search process will also be presented.
Please think of questions you have and write them below before the workshop begins and throughout the duration of the presentation. We encourage you to
participate and ask questions to ensure your best training experience:
My Questions:
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There are multiple challenges a job seeker faces when looking for work. It is a lot more difficult to obtain employment today than it was in the past. Some challenges are due to
changes in the job search process and others are due to what individual job seekers bring to the process.
Below are the 7 most common barriers to the job search process:
Common Barriers to Job Search Success
1. Working Solo
2. Not Utilizing Available Resources
3. Lack of Objectivity
4. Limited Experience in Performing Job Search Tasks
5. Job Search Skills Mismatch
6. Low Interest in Performing Required Job Search Strategies
7. Rejection, Discouragement
and Inactivity
What are other barriers you may be facing?
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Brick Wall
Paths to Reaching Your Goals Defined Occupational Goal Core Message Development Targeted Lists and Communication Networking Evaluate Plan and Make Changes Commitment to Job Search Process
Copyright © 2011-2014 by National Able Network ®. All Rights Reserved
The first step in looking for work is defining your occupational goal. All subsequent steps in your job search journey will flow much easier once you know the job title you seek.
If you are unsure of what you want to do, assessment inventories such as the MyNextMove Interest Profiler, job readiness checklists (example, pg. 14), workforce/employment agencies, informational interviews and volunteering can provide insight into the skills you possess and what occupations best fit those skills.
Defining Your Occupational Goal
What are some community resources available that can assist you in further defining your occupational goal?
Use the Job Readiness Checklist on the following page to further investigate the position you desire.
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Use this checklist as an ongoing measurement any challenges you may face as you begin looking for work.
This checklist will also be helpful if you are developing a job search plan with a workforce development professional.
I have a clearly defined job goal:
I have explored, reviewed and completed any licenses, certifications or degrees I will need.
I have:
I need:
I have explored, possess and can demonstrate the necessary skills to meet my desired job per the
MyNextMove.org Summary Report.
What I do well:
1 | P a g e
Desired Job:Alternate Job Titles:State Salary Range:Job Tasks:
Required SkillsCommunication:Tools:Technology:Knowledge Base:Personality Traits
Required EducationYears of Experience:Certifications:Degrees:
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Job Readiness Checklist
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What I need to improve:
I have explored targeted job search techniques specific to my field, such as:
I have prepared a targeted list of potential employers:
I have explored/performed information interviews.
I interviewed: _____________________
What I learned:
I interviewed:
What I learned:
I have practiced interviews (individual/group) and feel confident that I can communicate my skills and
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CompanyName
PossibleJobs
Company ContactPerson
ContactInformation
Contact Made[Yes (Date)/No]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
experiences with potential employers.
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Questions that still give me trouble:
I have explored online resources to network professionally, develop and share my knowledge and
establish a strong online reputation/presence (if appropriate).
I have created a LinkedIn profile and use LinkedIn proactively to participate in groups and to connect
with potential employers.
I have used Twitter and/or other social media sites to network with other professionals and job seekers.
I have reviewed networking strategies and have explored personal contacts (former employers,
coworkers, classmates, teachers, counselors, etc.) and have communicated my job goal and related skills, accomplishments with them.
I have investigated other ways to further develop my skills and expand my network.
What may be a challenge for me?
What can I do to overcome this challenge?
Job Readiness Checklist08052014
3 | P a g e
Volunteer Experience Professional References Network Connections Social Media Contacts1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Use these web-based resources to find out just about anything
you need to know about a particular occupation
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticswww.bls.gov
O*NETwww.onetonline.org
My Next Movewww.mynextmove.org
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Your CORE MESSAGE
Also known as an “Elevator Speech”, your Core Message is what relays to your audience (Insiders, Interviewers, Decision Makers) what you can do, what you do well and
explains how you offer something different from (or better than) others who might do the same work.
In creating your Core Message, remember the following tips:
1. Don’t underestimate your value
2. Leave out the negatives
3. Use your Success Stories to convince the audience
4. Identify what makes you unique
5. Focus on what makes you really good at what you do
6. Show interest with your behavior and attitude
7. Your résumé demonstrates your Core Message on paper
8. Incorporate your strongest skills and experience
9. Focus on what you have, not what you may lack
10. Remain realistic – your Core Message must be full of things you can do, and will do well.
Core Message Development
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Who you areHello, my name is…
I am interested in…
Because…
Relevant title or credentialsI am/was…
At…
Areas of skills/accomplishmentsFor the last __ years, I have…
My expertise is in…
QualificationsI am…
I would be a great fit for…
because…
What you are looking forI am currently looking for an opportunity to…
Creating Your Core Message
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Sample Core Message Content
Good afternoon! My name is ___________ and I couldn’t help but overhear you talking about your challenges in finding an
administrative assistant. I have more than 10 years’ experience in office management and administrative support. In my most recent
position I was an Administrative Assistant in the Finance Department. Along with managing the day-to-day office
operations, I supervised 2 assistants and served as liaison to upper management. In this position I had the opportunity to reorganize
office set-up procedures which increased both customer satisfaction and department efficiency.
I’m proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Outlook, having written numerous organization communications for different
managers. I use an engaging yet efficient approach when balancing multiple responsibilities which puts everyone at ease
and gets things done. I welcome the opportunity to further discuss how I could address your administrative needs.
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Targeted Lists and CommunicationsOnce you have created your core message, you will be better prepared to inform
individuals both within and outside of your desired industry what you can bring to a potential employer. Determining your Target Market (Industry), Decision Makers
within that industry will ensure that your cover letters, resumes and other support materials get to the right people. Networking with others can also assist in
Decision Maker list development.
Examples of Target Market and Networking Lists can be found starting on the next page. Remember – You should begin with a list of 40 employers to start and continue to add to your Target Market List as your job search moves forward.
Employers
Placement
Agencies
Human Resources
Representatives
Department Managers
Recruiters
Cover Letters
Résumés
“Cold Call” Letters
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Target Market ListEmployer Industry Desired
PositionDepartment
ManagerContact
InformationLinkedIn(Yes/No)
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HOW YOU KNOW THEM THEIR NAMES
Family
Friends
Neighbors
Hobbies and Activities
Community Groups
2nd Degree LinkedIn Connections
Friends of Friends on Facebook/Google+
Place of Worship
Alumni
Former Employers or Coworkers
Customers and Clients
Trade and Professional Organization Members
Professionals Whose Services You Use Regularly
Establishing Your NetworkDirections: Identify people who might have industry-related information
or relevant contacts who could help you in your job search.
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Stay Organized
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Monitor Your Job Search Activities – Track your efforts
Weekly Job Search Schedule Job Search log or Excel spreadsheet Support materials Networking contacts Follow-up strategies Job Search Progress Chart
Stay Engaged Keep developing skills Stay positive Understand the hiring process Job search is your job
Stay Focused Do Your Research – Know Your Companies Contemplate any “No’s” ahead of time Don’t Get Sidetracked by Other Activities Be Positive, Persistent and at Your Best at all times Make Your Job Search Your Highest Priority
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JOB SEARCH LOG Stay organized in your job search by using a log to keep track of employer correspondence. Make copies as needed.
Organization Name: ____________________________________ Recruiter Name: ____________________________
Address: ______________________________________ Phone: ____________________ Fax: ___________________
Email: ________________________________________ Website: _________________________________________
Position Open: _________________________________ Application Deadline: _______________________________
Research company via Internet, library directories, Career Resource Center or other sources
Send targeted résumé and cover letter (and any additional requested information Date Sent: _________________
Follow-up phone call to confirm receipt of resume and schedule interview Date of Call: ________________
Interview Date: _______________________ Date Thank You Letter Sent: __________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Organization Name: ____________________________________ Recruiter Name: ____________________________
Address: ______________________________________ Phone: ____________________ Fax: ___________________
Email: ________________________________________ Website: _________________________________________
Position Open: _________________________________ Application Deadline: _______________________________
Research company via Internet, library directories, Career Resource Center or other sources
Send targeted résumé and cover letter (and any additional requested information Date Sent: _________________
Follow-up phone call to confirm receipt of resume and schedule interview Date of Call: ________________
Interview Date: _______________________ Date Thank You Letter Sent: __________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Organization Name: ____________________________________ Recruiter Name: ____________________________
Address: ______________________________________ Phone: ____________________ Fax: ___________________
Email: ________________________________________ Website: _________________________________________
Position Open: _________________________________ Application Deadline: _______________________________
Research company via Internet, library directories, Career Resource Center or other sources
Send targeted résumé and cover letter (and any additional requested information Date Sent: _________________
Follow-up phone call to confirm receipt of resume and schedule interview Date of Call: ________________
Interview Date: _______________________ Date Thank You Letter Sent: __________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________________________
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Your name Date your search began
JOB SEARCH PROGRESS CHART
For the month: (circle one) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
AVERAGE per week last
month
TOTAL for the month
AVERAGEper week
this monthWeek beginning on: (date) (date) (date) (date) (date)
EMPLOYER CONTACTS
JOB SEARCH CONVERSATIONS
TOTAL for the month
TOTAL for entire search
JOB INTERVIEWS
Instructions for using this Job Search Progress Chart are on page 70 of Team Up! Find a Better Job Faster with a Job Search Work Team. Definitions of the categories used in the second column from the left are on the other side of this sheet.
Copyright 2014 Orville Pierson. All rights reserved.
# of Decision Maker conversations that were job interviews
GEN’L NETWORK- search conversations with anyone at all
TARGET MISC.- conversations with misc. insiders
TARGET PEER- conversations with insiders at your level
DECISION MAKER (& above)-initial contact only
DECISION MAKER (& above)- follow-up contacts with DM’s
TOTAL conversations for the week-Total the five categories above
JOB POSTINGS -# you responded to
DIRECT EMPLOYERCONTACT - initial
DIRECT EMPLOYERCONTACT – follow-up
TOTAL HOURSin job search this week
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JOB SEARCH PROGRESS CHART: DEFINITIONS OF CATEGORIES
TOTAL HOURS in job search this weekThe total number of hours you spent in job hunting in the last seven days, including research, educating yourself on effective job hunting, talking to people, applying to posted jobs, administration, e-mailing, and everything else you did in your search, whether or not you regarded those activities as productive or successful.
EMPLOYER CONTACTSJOB POSTINGS - # you responded toThe total number of individual job postings that you responded to, regardless of where they appeared.
DIRECT EMPLOYER CONTACT – initialThe total number of employers you contacted without an introduction or posting, either by phone (cold calling) or by e-mail/snail mail (direct mail). This category includes only the first contact with each. Voicemails,e-mails and letters with no response are all counted. Completed job applications count as contacts here. Making an initial contact with a staffing or search firm is counted here, since they are an outsourced part of the employer’s staffing function. If you actually had a conversation with someone, count it in JOB SEARCH CONVERSATIONS below.
DIRECT EMPLOYER CONTACT – follow-upThe total number of employers you attempted to follow-up with by phone or in writing, after an initial cold call or direct mail contact. This includes only second and successive contacts. Voicemails, e-mails and letters with no response are all counted. If you actually had a conversation with someone, count it in JOB SEARCH CONVERSATIONS below. Please note: this is follow-up with Decision Makers that you have NOT spoken with.
JOB SEARCH CONVERSATIONS
GEN’L NETWORK- job search conversations with anyone not at a targeted organizationThe total number of job-search related conversations you had with anyone who is not currently employed in one of your target organizations. Successive conversations with the same person are all counted here, as are two-way conversations with staffing or search firms.
TARGET MISCELLANEOUS - conversations with miscellaneous insidersConversations with anyone inside a targeted organization who is not a peer or Decision Maker.
TARGET PEER- conversations with insiders at your levelConversations with anyone inside a targeted organization who is more or less at your level.
DECISION MAKER (& above)- initial contact onlyConversations of any length – in person or on the phone — with a person who could be your next boss, or with that person’s boss or anyone above them. Count only the first conversation with that person in this category. Count all successive contacts in the follow-up category, so that this number is the number of different Decision Makers you’ve talked to. An e-mail exchange in which each party sends three or more e-mails is counted as one conversation.
DECISION MAKER (& above) - follow-up contactsThis is where you count all successive contacts with Decision Makers contacted above. Research shows that job hunters who re-contact each and every Decision Maker every two to four weeks find jobs more quickly than those who do not do this. These follow-up contacts do not need to be conversations. While conversations are much better if you can politely get them, these can also be contacts with no response, just like Direct Employer follow-ups.
JOB INTERVIEWS
# of Decision Maker conversations that were job interviewsThis is a sub-category of Decision Maker contacts, so any actual job interview – no matter how you got it — is counted in both categories. Initial post-interview follow-up is usually in writing and should be carefully thought out. If you are not selected, continue to do Decision Maker follow-up as above. You were a finalist. They liked you. Let them off the hook for not selecting you. Do not put them on the defensive. Continue to tell them how you would still like to work there, should another opportunity arise. This is just as important as other follow-up.
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Create a FLEXIBLE Schedule
NETWORKINGFriends/family/regular
contactsLinkedIn ConnectionsProfessional
Association Networking Events
Informational Interviews
Job FairsCareer Fairs
TOP PRIORITIES: New Job Leads, Networking, Interviewing
Plan on a Daily Basis
SKILL DEVELOPMENT Mock Interviews Career Centers Classroom/Online
Training Programs Volunteer
opportunities Temporary Jobs
RESEARCH New job leads Job boards Companies Internet Resources Online Job Postings
NURTUREReadExerciseGo to a movieSpend time with
supportive friends/family
Set aside “Me” time
TARGETINGCompaniesJob postingsRésumésCover lettersOther Supportive
Resources
FOLLOW-UP/ONGOING ACTIVITIESSocial media job
alertsComplete online
applicationsThank You notesReview week’s
job search progress
Interview analysis
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Weekly Job Search ScheduleExample
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
Seek out new job leads Review Job Postings Attend Job Fair
Research Companies
Respond to social media job
alerts
Complete online applications
Send Thank You notes
Practice answering interview questions
Review Job Postings
Analyze Interview
Volunteer to develop skills
Pursue New Job Leads; Networking
Opportunities; Interviews
Attend Networking Event
Go to a movie Send Thank You notes
Check out job boards Interview
Attend Informational
Interview
Target résumés
Go out with friends
Exercise Get Organized Review week’s job search progress
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Your Next Job is Here!Stay Committed
to Your Job Search!
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Developing an Effective Job Search PlanPost-Workshop Activities
You received a lot of information today! Below are 3 questions for you to focus on as you take action and begin putting your new knowledge to
work:
1. Make a list of networking opportunities
2. Identify how you can maintain productivity in the job search process
3. Identify what you’re going to do as a result of participating in this workshop
Notes:
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Additional Workshops
On behalf of the Training Team at National Able Network, THANK YOU for your participation today!
Please join us for any/all of the workshops listed below. Please confer with your Career Counselor or call us at 855-994-8300 for
upcoming dates and times.
Preparing for the Interview
Résumé and Cover Letter Development
How to Complete an Effective Online Job Application
Introduction to Social Media
Harmony in the Workplace
Providing Exceptional Customer Service
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