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