Job Searching

The time is now! The Job searcher has to take control of the search. The economy has been an employers market for years. Competition is tough and your focus should be on your tradecraft or professional skills and not administering to the job search. Too many activities, overhead, detract from the search.

The Job Search

by

JT Bogden, PMP

The US Labor Department requires most employers to maintain websites with their job postings. The employer websites are used for data collection and management of the employment picture for the Federal Government. That system converges with job searchers on unemployment compensation who are generally required to submit application histories in order to maintain the benefit. The information is compared to ensure people are looking for work. Unfortunately, employers hiring through these sites is low and job searchers use other channels to find and apply for jobs. In the end, the government's job search requirement and method maintains compliance with the regulations but otherwise is not effective for the job seeker. What job seekers really needs is a way to manage their search in a meaningful way reducing the overhead while putting the focus on the search.

Many job search methods and practices are available from Dale Carnegie's making friends, Orville Pierson's highly effective networking, Stephen Covey's time management, and many others. Most return marginal results alone in practice. Only a few offer meaningful tools and approaches. Combining the successful tactics, techniques, and practices into a meaningful process amplifies the results. Armed with the right tools, strong work ethic, and perseverance the job seeker can and will win.

In the search, the following items should be fully refined:

• Multiple well written resumes targeting focus areas
• Packet having LOR's, references, and work samples
• Business Cards, suggest using Vista Prints
• 15 second elevator pitch memorized; suggest using 15 Second Pitch to prepare
• Internet sites built; Linkedin, Monster, Career Builder, etc...
• Voicemail with Professional Announcement; Google Voice

The jobseeker should also be organized having the following items.

• Cell Phone
• Notebook computer having:
• Word Processing means
• Contact Management means or method (Our service)
• Resumes, Work Samples, and other essential files in digital format
• Internet enabled
• At Least two or more suits or outfits that are professional business attire.

Other considerations and resources.

• Cloud Services: SkyDrive, iCloud, BOX, or Evernote for remote access to resumes and other documents.
• Name Badge with magnetic backing.
• Career Search Newsletter
• Skype Click to Call