Job Search Strategy

Know Yourself:

• Know the essentials that you need for employment such as ID, phone number and/or email address, clothes for interview, etc.
• Have a master resume or master application to gather detailed employment and education history.
• Gather as much information as possible about employers, dates, salary, and supervisors.
• Write down a goal. If you write it down you are more likely to make it happen.
• List your skills that you would like to use at work.
• List other skills or experience you can use if necessary to reach your Goal.

Market Yourself:

• Be able to verbally describe your strengths, skills, and experience. We all have strengths and skills. We just need to know how to market them.
• Prepare a general resume. If possible prepare a target resume after your job search. Use a one page chronological or functional format or a combination of both.
• Be Prepared. Know where you are going, how to get there, and information about whom you are seeing.
• Be on time or a little early to every appointment.
• Look your best (neat, clean, not casual, and not overdone).
• Smile, be enthusiastic, and let the employer know why you want to work for them (think of a reason besides money or convenience). Tell them why you like their product or vision.

Know your market:

• Search job listings for jobs that fit your skills and experience.
• Put jobs in categories if there is more than one type of job you are looking for.
• If possible learn about companies that you want to work for. Who they are hiring, their mission or vision, and their product or service.
• Know your objective -- state the position or type of job you are applying for. Write a sentence describing your skills that match employer needs.

Have a Plan:

• Steps you will take to make yourself employable, get the job, and build your skills and experience.
• What will you do this week to accomplish your goal?

Reach Out:

• Involve others in your job search strategy.
• Let others know your strengths, skills, and goals.
• Ask an objective person to look at your resume and cover letter for readability, clarity, and spelling.
• Seek out a Career Center (see side links) or LifeWork Design Coach

How are you doing?

We want to hear from you. How is your job search going? Tell us your successes and frustrations. Are you using tools from this website? How is it helping you? Let us know what you think would help your job search. Let us know how you are finding ways to use your gifts, learn new skills, and become more resourceful.

Send email to How are you doing?

Job Search Format

JOB SEARCH WORKSHEET

This is a helpful format for keeping track of contact information during your job search. Write down information about each job that you are applying for. Use this information for applying online, mailing, walk-in or faxing information. You will then have all of the information necessary for following up each position that you have applied for. If possible call or visit every place that you really want to work. Make a note of the skills and requirements for the job so that you can have them for your resume, cover letter, follow-up call, interview, and thank you letter. Use this process for best results. If you can't follow this process, advertise yourself creatively and honestly, and contact as many places as possible. Let your light shine often and someone will see it.

COMPANY NAME______________________________

PHONE_____________________________________

FAX NUMBER________________________________

CONTACT PERSON____________________________

CONTACT BY: ___MAIL ___FAX ___EMAIL ___ONLINE ___CALL

RESUME/APPLICATION DATE SENT_______________

FOLLOW-UP_________________________________

CONTACTED BY COMPANY:

DATE______________________________________

PERSON'S NAME______________________________

COMPANY ADDRESS___________________________

__________________________________________

JOB SKILLS NEEDED:

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________