Step 1: Get Organized

Identify career and life values, goals and objectives i.e. What sort of job am I looking for? Where do I want to work? Who should I contact? What do I value in my work? Realistically assess your interests, strengths and weaknesses, skills, and abilities etc. as you prepare for your search. Update and revise your resume. Make sure it is scannable. Maintain a positive attitude.

Visit the library and/or use the Web. Identify and rank the largest, fastest growing, most profitable companies from large to small in your area, including start up organizations. Obtain current information on businesses with sudden, intense needs. Identify your sense of worth including a salary figure/range. Review annual reports of businesses you are interested in and other available company information. Check out job opportunities in your area that are listed on the Web.

Visit with individuals from your personal and professional network; this can prove to be valuable in your search. You can obtain valuable information by listening to others, i.e., interviewing questions, things you may not have anticipated and insight to preparing answers.

Keep a written log of contacts, callbacks and interviews. This will allow you to work more efficiently in your job search. Develop short-and long-term action plans. Seek feedback from significant others and monitor your progress. Review and adjust your objectives and strategies as required. Avoid becoming a job hunter whose searches are everlasting because they won’t work at a steady or manageable pace.

Identify, develop and promote your most marketable skills. Consider videotaping a mock interview of yourself, this can help you to answer employer questions more concisely. Be sure to identify new contacts to explore. Never allow your list of contacts to run low.

Be sure to follow directions when instructed by a recruiter/employer, etc. as to how they would like information sent to them. Pay attention to what you’re specifically told. Ask questions, if you must. Your ability and willingness to follow instructions are basic requirements for any job.

Don’t worry, everybody worth talking to is busy. To err on the side of not being a bother is to be jobless longer.

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