Utilizing Effective Job Search Methods

Presented by Bob Nealon, Career CoachNorth Campus Career Center

Utilizing Effective Job Search Methods

Did you know….

Source: U.S. News and World Report

Less than 15 % of jobs are filled through job boards like CareerBuilder, Monster, and other career sites.

Job Searching….

Is not easy!

Job Search success depends on…

• Good Job Searching Plan (Macro plan and micro (daily) plan)

• Good R

• Good Efforts (working hard at it)

• Average Job Seeker invests only 70 minutes a day looking for a job

Source: Brookings.edu

Please, please, please…

• Treat your job search campaign like a full-time job (put a full-time effort into your quest to obtain a full-time job; 40+ hours a week)

Effective Job Search Strategies

1. Networking is the most effective job search strategies (over 80% of people get their job through the help of others). You need others to assist you to get your next job. Engage those you know and get to know others.

Strategy # 22. Answer advertisements in the newspaper, out of

town newspapers, trade journals, and newsletters.• Send all correspondence to qualified

advertisements (employer’s name is identified) to HR (process people) and to the decision maker – Double Hit)

Strategy # 2 (cont’d)

Strategy # 33. Respond to job posted on company websites

and follow all directions.

• HR professionals will likely dismiss any applications that are incomplete or the candidate does not follow all of the posted instructions. Don’t waste your time applying if you are not going to follow their instructions.

Strategy # 44. Respond to jobs posted on job boards and follow

all directions. Apply to qualified job postings (employer’s name is identified). Utilize the Double Hit approach.

Strategy # 55. Utilize staffing agencies.

• Have realistic expectations. Staffing agencies work for their clients, not you as a candidate. However, these organizations need candidates to promote to clients so it can be a winner for all three parties involved. The clients pay them, not the candidate.

Strategy # 66. Target market to a specific company and

decision maker – forwarding your résumé and cover letter written specifically to the reader based on your research of the company. Use keywords of the company and industry.

• Don’t wait for the company to post jobs on their website or through a job board as they may not always post their jobs. Be proactive to target companies you’d like to work for. Odds are they are hiring or will be in the near future.

Strategy # 77. Respond to “opportunity” letters.

• Keep the door open with a targeted company even after you receive a rejection letter after the interview.

Strategy # 88. Cold call (tele-market) to a targeted list of

companies and/or contacts.

• This is a quick way to leave a favorable impression while determining whether or not a company is hiring at the present time.• Practice your presentation (20 second script)• If the company is not hiring, ask them if they have

plans to hire in the near future. If you still get a “no”, you might consider asking them if they know of any other companies that might be hiring.

Strategy # 99. Visit an employer without an appointment, read

internal job listings, fill out applications, collect information, business cards, drop off a résumé market for a specific decision maker; leave and follow up.

Benefits of this strategy:• This strategy puts a face with your “data”.• You can ask humbly and kindly for advice.• You can acquire information that you otherwise would

likely not be able to get.• Takes courage.

Strategy # 1010.Employee Referral Incentive Programs; ask your

working connections, friends, family members, and others if their company has an employee referral program. If so, ask them if they would be able to walk your résumé inside their company either to HR and/or a decision maker.• Many companies prefer to hire through their staff. In

many cases, they reward their staff for successful referrals.

Strategy # 1111.Read business sections of newspapers looking

for information like: people on the move, awarded contracts, new company announcements, things to do, corporate notes, company profiles, individual stories and respond accordingly.

• South Florida Business Journal (good local resource)• Offer complimentary 4 week subscription – inquire

with the SFBJ; visit library.• http://

www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/promo/southfloridatrial

• 866-853-3661• Local newspapers, magazines, online articles

Strategy # 1212.Use Social media in your job search. Over 80%

of employers utilize social media, especially LinkedIn, to source talent or find out more about the talent who has applied for a position. Have a strong social media presence.

• Start your own blog to promote your expertise.

Strategy # 1313.Volunteer in the community (at community

events, business groups, and fundraising opportunities).• Hands On Broward (www.handsonbroward.org)• Anywhere in communityBenefits of this strategy:• Builds your network.• Builds your relevance and reputation.• Puts you in front of other winners and community

leaders.

Strategy # 1414.Work for free, on probation, shadow others in their

job.

Strategy # 1515.Consider non-traditional employment terms.

• Part-Time, Temporary, Projects, Contract Assignments, 1099, etc.

• Enter the employer on their terms, not yours.

Strategy # 1616.Attend job fairs, trade shows, conferences,

business expos.

• Great way to meet with employers who are hiring.• Be proactive in your follow-up with employers.

Strategy # 1717.Become a member of a professional

association/organization.

• Great way to establish a network in your field.• Have access to job banks.

Strategy # 1818.Participate in Internship EDGE.

• Investigate the Internship EDGE program. Internships are great ways to get experience, build your resume, and test out the field.

• http://www.broward.edu/studentresources/career/Pages/internships.aspx

Strategy # 1919.Utilize other campus and community resources.

• North Campus Career Center• CareerSource Broward

Strategy # 2020.Start your own small business, enterprise, or

pursue self-employment (contractor, freelancer).

• Small Business Administration (SBA)• Service Corporation of Retired Executives (SCORE)• Broward County Office of Economic and Small

Business Development (OESBD) (broward.org)• Others

Reminder:

Broward College Resources• Your North Campus Career Center Staff

• Resume Writing, Interviewing, Job Search Strategy, and more

• Assessment Tools including Career Coach and FOCUS 2

• Internship EDGE

• Student job bank @ www.broward.edu/ccn

Questions?

Contact me for an appointment

My Contact Information:

Bob NealonCareer Coach Specialist

Broward College – North CampusBuilding 46, Room 238 (Career Center)

Phone: (954) 201-2270E-Mail: [email protected]

Connect with me through LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/in/BobNealon

Thank you for attending!