Work Smarter, Not Harder Creating a Job Search Strategy in a Tough Economy
Usman Chaudry, Volt Workforce Solutions
Presentation for APICS MM.DD.2008 | © 2008 Volt Information Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. Proprietary & Confidential.
Overview
Creating a Job Search Strategy:
• Building a resume• Building a virtual presence• Finding opportunities• Interviewing
Building a Resume
• 2 Formats: – Chronological
– Functional
• Does your resume…– Scream “Call me!!!”
– Have MSA’s?
(If not, get them!!!)
– Keywords
Made, Saved, and Achieved’s…
• Made: • Products/Services you’ve created, • Ideas you’ve created• Sales
• Saved: • Time• Money • Reduction in costs
• Achieved: • Greatest Accomplishments
Quantifiable
MSA Example
What have you made, saved, or achieved for your employers?• Provide example• Give quantifiable results
MSA Version“I provided technical support to 300 employees with computer
difficulties locally and remotely using Altiris Remote Control,
resulting in a reduced response time from 3 ½ hours to 2 hours.
and I reduced number of service tickets 30% from 100 to 70 in my first month.”
Building a Virtual Presence
Attract Attention• Choose appropriate site• Prepare profile carefully
• Post picture
• Experience and education
• MSA’s
• Keywords
• Contact information
• Create network• Update frequently
Building a Virtual Presence
Create On-line Profiles on Social Media Sites
• LinkedIn• Facebook• Twitter• Google• You Tube
Finding Opportunities
Where do you find jobs?
What is the most effective method? • Post and Pray? • Submit to jobs on job boards?• Networking?
Finding Opportunities
Where do you find jobs?
If your only answer is…
“Applying to job ads and postings…”
…that’s NOT ENOUGH in today’s economy.
Finding Opportunities
Apply directly to company websites
Apply directly using Job Aggregators • Indeed.com• Indeed.ca• Simplyhired.com
Join groups to network• Ning.com• Google Groups• Yahoo! Groups• MSN Groups
Job Search Strategy
Take a comprehensive approach• Update your resume with MSAs...Very important!!!!• Add keywords to be searchable• Post to the major job boards..i.e Monster, Workopolis,
CareerBuilder etc. • Apply directly to target companies• Network
• Family• Friends (Friends of friends/family) • Colleagues, Managers (Past and present)• Associations/groups
Job Search Strategy
How will they find you?• Tweak your resume for each job. • Applying via e-mail…
• Include your resume and cover letter in the body
AND
• Attach resume and cover letter soft copy
• Create a follow-up spreadsheet to track applications
• Follow up with applications on a weekly basis.
Interviewing for Success
Interviewing for Success
• Know the job description• Research the company• What can you contribute? (MSA’s)
• To the position
• To the company
• What personal characteristics make you successful? (Examples)
• Why do you want the position?• Prepare questions
Interviewing for Success
• Be prompt• Dress appropriately• Treat everyone with
respect• Bring your resume• Turn off your phone• Give a firm handshake• Be positive and make it a
conversation
Practice, Practice, Practice
5Ps:
– James Baker
TO INTERVIEW
Follow Up
Thank everyone you spoke to
In Review
Creating a Job Search Strategy In a Tough Economy Working Smarter not Harder
• Perfecting your resume and cover letter each time• Building a virtual presence and networking• Finding opportunities – use a comprehensive, proactive
approach• Prepare and practice for interviewing• Follow up
Questions
Thank you
