The Right Job Search Process

The Job Search
Process
The right way to get a new job!

Harwin Online / Offline Publishing
websites … books … marketing
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Copyright HarwinHouse.com
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Two Opposing Trends
 Continuing 9+% unemployment
 Higher in some segments of the population
 More long-term unemployed professionals
 Older workers laid off at end of career
 Everyone applies for same advertised jobs
but…
 Over 1Million jobs remain unfilled!
 60-80% of jobs not advertised

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Attitude is Everything
 Finding a job is a job – expect to work at it
 At least 35 hours per week in productive work
 If still employed, might limit yourself to only 15-20
hours a week, but it will take longer
 Finding a job takes time: 20-35 weeks !
 A support group cuts that by a third
 Take time to smile. Stay positive.
 Stay active. Exercise daily.

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Start Fresh
 If what you’ve been doing isn’t working, may
need to completely recreate your resume.
 Start over, from the beginning
 What have you done?
 What can you do?
 Only then will you be ready to look for jobs
 How well do you match the job description?
 How to explain how your skills & experience
match to make you an ideal candidate?
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The Job Search Process
 Evaluate where you’ve been
 Take note of what you’ve done
 Consider what you’ve learned
 Think about what excites you
 Look for a job that blends it all
 Write a request to do that thing
 Find companies that need that done
 Pursue those companies

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Step 1 – Job History
 The Master Application
 your own document
 You will copy the information to their application
 lists every job you have ever had
 Company name, address, phone number
 Your supervisor, and contact info
 How much you made there
 What you did – job description & accomplishments
 Include volunteer jobs
 Lists your certifications and degrees
 Names, address, phone & email of references
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The “Other” Jobs
 Volunteer assignments done consistently can
be considered employment, even if no wages
 Most long-term volunteer jobs have a job
description, expected hours to be present,
measures of success, and recognition
 Grant funding agencies count volunteer hours as
having saved the organization money
 Equivalent to $8 an hour for general wages
 List them on your master application as jobs
held – can help fill in “non-working” gaps
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Describing Job Duties
 Start with information on Master Application
 List all significant accomplishments as “STAR”
 Situation or Task given to you
 The Action you took

 The Results – numbers help

As head cashier, I trained and monitored 14 line
cashiers. Reduced drawer balance errors from 8%
down to 2%, exceeding company’s 4% goal

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List all your training
 Formal degrees
 Professional certifications
 Continuing education certifications
 Volunteer activity certifications

BA in Business, courses in accounting
Red Cross CPR instructor
Volunteer Child Care Worker with Background Check

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About begin ‘overqualified’
 Just because you have an advanced degree
doesn’t mean you need to list it on every
application or resume.
 If you have a doctorate in engineering and they
ask for a bachelors, just tell them you have a
bachelors. It is true, just not the whole truth.
 If they ask about other training, you can list it
there or tell them in the interview.

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A note on References
 Get the person’s permission to use them
 Make sure you have an accurate address
 Ask them which phone number to use
 Ask them which email address to use
 Do not list references until asked to do so
 Don’t need to say “references available”
 List only references that help you with the specific
job you are applying for

 Send a courtesy note to them each time you use
their name, so they are aware the request is coming
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Step 2 – Skills Assessment
 Now that you’ve documented what you’ve
done in the past, get ready for the future
 Assume you’ve never written a resume before
 Consider your skills
 Consider your personality
 Consider your options

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What do you know how to do?
 On a clean plain piece of paper…
 Write everything you know how to do
 Evaluate each as Beginner, Proficient, or Expert (B/P/E)
Expert in Microsoft Office, Proficient in HTML
Skill Years done B/P/E? Enjoy it?

 Include volunteer and hobby skills

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Consider Your Personality Type
 Such as Myers-Briggs tests, etc.
 Introvert – Extrovert – Party Animal
 Detail oriented or big picture thinker
 Self Assessment
 Enjoy same task daily or different all the time?
 Need quiet to work or do you thrive on activity?

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Explore New Job Options
 Look through your skills list
 Look for similar types of skills
 Group them together
 Look at occupational guides for job
descriptions that match those skills
 See what certifications are usually needed
 Online salary guides tell what jobs make

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O*Net Job Finder

 www.ONetOnline.org
 Find Occupations  enter job title
 Tells most common similar job titles
 Click to see common job duties,
qualifications, training needed, average pay
 Choose state to see employment trends
 Click the link to see current openings
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Evaluate Different Jobs
 Start with what you’ve done and liked
 Note what you’ve done and didn’t like
 Consider someone else’s job you’d like
 What are the job duties you’d be good at it?
 Dream big: What is the ideal job?
 What would you do if money were no object?
 What could you do with additional training?

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Organize the Skills Worksheet
 For each job category identified
 Describe the job duties and salary ranges
 From ONetOnline
 State how you might qualify
 Experience, skills, certifications
 List potential drawbacks
 Frequent travel, potential relocation
 Additional training needed

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Step 3:
Write a Master Resume
 The purpose of a resume is to get an interview!
 Master Resume tells everything you’ve done in your own
words; you trim & tailor it to whatever job you apply for
 Let’s you reply to a job posting quickly

 Resume tells your story:
 Links experience and skills
 Tells who your are and what you’re good at
 Don’t need to say everything you know how to do
 List qualifications that match sample job descriptions

Might have 3 or 4 different Master Resumes!
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Sections of the Resume
 Contact info:
 First name-Last name
 email, phone number at top of page
 Postal address is optional.
 Name repeated on the top of second page. (can have 2 pages)
 Summary or Objective: Strengths and value statement.
 Experience and Accomplishments:
 List in reverse historical order for a chronological format.
 Situation/Task, Action, Results
 Education: Degree, School, Major, Awards
 Certifications, work-related skills, awards
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Formatting the Resume
 Use standard 1” margins
 11 or 12 pitch Times New Roman or Arial
 increases readability and scanability

 Bold section headings
 Use Bullets for lists of information
 No photo
 No personal / family information
 Exception: religious employment may require

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Variations Among Resumes
 An Objective is optional
 A Summary of Skills a good idea
 Chronological vs Functional
 Most recent jobs first if good work history

 Functional if gaps or changing careers

 If “over-qualified” leave out some qualifications
 If older, don’t mention dates of degrees
 NEVER LIE – could be cause for firing later

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Unusual Resumes
 Skills Resume
 Useful if have only worked sporadically, or have
been out of work a long time
 List types of skills by category
 Similar to product brochure
 Audition tape
 Normally only used by musicians & speakers

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Step 4: Finding the Jobs
 Networking
 Job Casting
 The Job Card
 Elevator Speech
 Using Social Media

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Networking:
The hunt for hidden jobs
 Most jobs are never advertised publicly
 Some jobs are created for specific people
 Special skills or talents needed by the company
 These jobs go to people they know, or to
someone a company employee knows
 Must be out meeting people
 The job may come from friend of a contact
 Make conversation about them, not the job

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Networking Basics
 Be interested in meeting people
 Be interesting – something useful to say
 Be the connector between people of similar
interests – you make the introduction
 Respect the card – read theirs and take notes
 Follow up with a note or email, reminding
them of the meeting. If you offered
information, give it in a day or so
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“Job Casting” –
Job Search Networking
 “Fishing” for a new job
 Telling folks what you can do and that you’re
available
 Gives them a way to tell you about jobs
 Gives them a way to recommend you

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The Job Search Card
 Get a job search email address
 Professional name @ yahoo or @ google
 Example: JBayer@gmail.com
 Example 2: Jill.Bayer@yahoo.com
 Get at least 200 business cards ($25)
 Your name, job search email, contact phone
 Optional: Job Qualifications on Back
 The 3 skills used in your elevator speech

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the Elevator Speech
 30 seconds long – time it takes an elevator to go
from the lobby to the 7th floor
 Your name, what kind of job you want, a summary
of your skills, request for referral, how to reach you,
your name again.
My name is Jill Bayer. I’m looking for a job as a
head cashier in consumer retail. I have attention to
detail and can train others. If you know of someone
who might be looking for a person with my skills,
please let me know. Here’s my card.
My name is Jill Bayer.
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Elevator Speech, again
Your name: My name is Jill Bayer.
What you want: I’m looking for a job as a head cashier
in consumer retail.
Why you qualify: I have attention to detail and can
train others.
Request for information: If you know of someone
who might be looking for a person with my skills,
The offer to do all the work: please let me know.
Contact Info: Here’s my card.
Remind them of your name:
My name is Jill Bayer.

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Jill’s JobCasting Card

Jill Bayer
Head Cashier
JBayer@gmail.com
978-555-5555

attention to detail * can train others.
Note: these are from her 30-sec speech!
You can also print your qualifications
on the back
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Who do you tell?
 People who know you
 At school (yours or children’s)
 At church
 In the neighborhood
 Among former coworkers
 People you meet
 Professional and civic groups
 Volunteer assignments
 Recreation (other parents at the playground)
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Networking For the Bold
 Talk to everybody
 At the bank, store, etc
 With strangers in line
 Impromptu speeches at public events

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Use Linked-In.com
 A business photo
 Your professional (job search) email
 Your job search profile
 Summarize your experience
 Highlight key skills in the summary section
 Past job locations will suggest connections
 List colleges attended, if any
 Will suggest connections
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Using Linked-In
 Every affinity group has a “jobs” category
 If listed, the jobs relate to the group topic
 When you join a group, introduce yourself
and mention you are looking for a new job in
the field (from your 30-second speech)
 When you see a job posted, search that
company to see who there is on LinkedIn
 Send them a request for info about the company

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Linked-In Tips
 Nothing social or political
 Only join relevant groups
 If your interests change, change groups
 Make connections with past workers who might
vouch for you (don’t ask for reference yet)
 Find influencers in relevant groups
 ‘Follow’, ‘Like’ and comment on their posts

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Facebook Cleanup
 Remove incriminating photos
 Wild & Crazy
 Offensive gestures
 Anything suggesting drug use
 Review / remove past offensive postings
 Set security to “friends”
 Employers can and will create a personality
profile on you based on anything they can find on
the web – your likes, dislikes, how you get along
with others, how you spend your free time …
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Option: An Online Resume
 On your own site
 Create free wordpress.org account
 Post resume as a page
 Don’t allow comments
 Add a contact email
 Do not post a phone number
 On Job Boards
 Expect to get solicitations from recruiters

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Finding Jobs
 Online Job Boards
 Career OneStop
 Executive Sites

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CareerOneStop
 sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor
 http://www.careerinfonet.org/
 Link to Job Search

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Career OneStop tools

 Translate military jobs
to civilian English
 In-demand Skills
 Jobs in decline
 Common wages

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Finding ‘Hidden’ Jobs
 City’s Economic Development web page
 Major employers listed
 Go to each major employer’s web page
 Usually has a link on the top bar to “careers” or
“employment” or “human resources”
 Search that employer’s job board
 Apply if jobs sound interesting

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Using City Data to Find Jobs
Local companies that might have local jobs!

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…Using Community Papers
 Look for articles on local companies
 Look who is advertising – might be hiring

 Community’s Business Newspaper
 Community-based Magazine
 Local Dining magazine
 Community Parents magazines
 Other free events magazines
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…at Community Events
 ‘Business After Hours’ networking
 Chamber of Commerce
 Professional society
 Open luncheons and informational lectures
 Community forum
 Clean & Green Commission
 Community Service Days
 Volunteer to help at parades – meet the mayor!

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Step 5: Preparing to Apply
 Research the company
 Google search
 Stock market news
 Community’s Business Newspaper
 Pick closest resume, then tailor it to match
the job being offered
 Use keywords from the job announcement
 i.e., change “head cashier” to “senior cashier”

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When to Apply
 When the job meets your needs and
aspirations
 As soon as possible after the job is posted
 If the organization finds someone early, they may
remove the posting early
 As soon as you have the all the needed
information ready
 Helps to have a master application and resume
ready to copy from and modify as needed
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When Not to Apply for the Job
 Only apply if you qualify
 HR tends to ignore the person if they submit for
too many jobs they ‘might’ qualify for
 Better to be unemployed than fired after only a
few weeks
 Only apply if it sounds interesting
 Why apply for a job you can’t wait to leave?

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Applications vs Resume
 If they ask for an application, you must fill out
their application form
 Use info from your master application
 Impress them with how organized you are!
 NEVER simply staple resume to the
application form. It goes straight to trash.
 An application is a signed affidavit
 A resume is for advertising your services

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Tailor the Resume
 Start with the Master Resume
 Create a new resume that matches this job
 Leave out what doesn’t match
 Restate the job description in your responses
 Use ‘STAR’ actions to use their keywords
 Summary statement should tell why you are
well qualified for the job
 Highlight certifications that match

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A Note On Paper
save the expense!
 Some people like to use fancy or colored
paper for the resume. This can get in the way
of being considered
 Resumes first get scanned by the computer.
 Designs or watermarks can add spurious notes
to the file
 Resumes get copied and passed around.
The person interviewing you will get plain
white bond paper.

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The Cover Letter
 Always use a cover letter*
 Address to the hiring manager
 From your research
 Never “to whom it may concern”
 Attach it to the resume or application

*Some hiring managers consider cover letter a waste
of effort, and will remove it. I say better to have one
and not need it than risk the chance of not making a
good first impression with the one that expects it.

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Cover Letter Format:
3 targeted paragraphs
1. Introduce yourself and why you're writing. Use
the job title. Summarize your background using
their keywords

3. Tell how you will contribute to the company
Mention the company’s goals, accomplishments
and opportunities, and how you working there
could continue or support those goals. Use
keywords from the job announcement.

5. Ask for the interview and state when (exactly) you
will follow up.
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Other details
 Check the spelling of hiring manager’s name
 Perfect spelling and grammar
 Watch out for hear/here, there/their, to/too/two
 Must catch their attention in top third of the page
 Recruiters and HR staff see hundreds of applications
 Mistakes separate you to the discard pile
 Don’t make them hunt for the keywords
 Apply early in the cycle – day one if possible
 Avoid last minute problems
 Early submission may mean early interview

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Step 6: About the Interview
 Know the company
 Prepare for common questions
 Dress appropriately
 Arrive early

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Company Research
 Review company research
 Anything new since last time you looked?
 Review the market for their products
 Any major announcement from them or a
competitor?
 Know names of company officials
 In case they come in the room!

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Work on your TMAY
(Tell Me About Yourself)

 Expect the question to be asked
 Have an answer ready
 90-second response
 Qualities to be admired
 Career-oriented personal passions
 Your “negatives” with good results
 Biggest fault: don’t like leaving a job unfinished
 Workaholic

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Elevator vs TMAY
 Elevator speech tells what you do
 In 30 seconds
 To get you a job
 TMAY tells who you are – your character
 What you carry to every job
 In 90 seconds

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Sample TMAY
I’m a hard worker. My attention to detail has
helped me succeed in past jobs. I like to
know the right way to do things and then to
do them right. But I’m not so hard-headed
that I can’t work with others; instead I see
myself as a teacher and a mentor to my
coworkers. I know how to have a good time
and love to laugh, but when it’s time to go to
work, that becomes my first priority.
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Dress Appropriately - Men
 Dress up, a little dressier than they are
 If they’re in suits, be in a suit
 If they’re polo shirts, wear dress shirt & blazer
 If they’re in jeans, can wear nice jeans
 Shoes shined, shirts pressed, tie straight
 Dark blue or charcoal gray suit
 Faint pinstripe is OK
 Don’t wear black – too severe for most people

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Dress Appropriately - Women
 Dress up, a little dressier than they are
 If they’re in suits, be in a suit or business dress
 If they’re casual, wear a dress or slacks
 If they’re in jeans, can wear nice jeans
 DO NOT dress as if to go out to party
 Generally muted colors
 Faint design is OK
 Shoes shined; flats or low heels

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Arrive early
 Preplan the route there
 Plan for traffic
 Know where to park
 Don’t want to leave to feed the meter
 Give yourself time to check yourself before
you exit your car
 Check your reflection before you meet
anyone – first restroom or shiny elevator door

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Arrive Early (cont’d)
 Bring a full sized note pad in a 9x12 binder
 Bring extra resumes & references
 2 pens, in binder holder or inside coat pocket
 Be wary of ink pen leaking, esp on shirt
 Be pleasant & polite to everyone!
 Door guard, receptionist, secretaries
 Pleasant to everyone in the hallway
 Pleasant to others waiting in lobby
 You never know who they’ll ask about you!
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Other Factors
 Don’t over-hydrate
 Don’t want to be in the toilet when they’re ready
 Eat before, not during interview session
 Don’t chew gum
 Pop in a breath mint before they call you in
 Smile, but don’t grin
 Don’t fidget
 Firm, quick handshake at greeting
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Starting the Interview
 Make sure you have their name spelled correctly
 “no thanks” to coffee or a drink
 Could take away from interview time
 20 seconds of small talk
 Start the conversation
 Say “Before we begin, may I tell you a little about
myself?” and then without waiting on an answer, give
them your 90 sec TMAY
 Then ask, “What can you tell me about this job that
wasn’t in the job posting?”

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Common Interview Questions
 Tell Me About Yourself (TMAY!)
 Why did you leave your last job?
 Why do you want to work for us?
 Are you a team player?
 Why should we hire you?
 Why do you think you would do well at this job?
 Tell me about your dream job.
 What motivates you to do your best on the job?

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Common Questions (Cont’d)
 What have you done to improve your knowledge in
the last year?
 Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel
about that?
 Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor.
 What would your previous supervisor say your
strongest point is? Your biggest weakness?
 What is your management style?
 Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
 What have you learned from mistakes on the job?

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Even More Common Questions
 Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a
dispute between others.
 What position do you prefer on a team working on a
project?
 Describe your work ethic.
 What has been your biggest professional
disappointment?
 Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.
 Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
 How do you propose to compensate for your lack of
experience?

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Discussing Salary
 Avoid salary discussions until you have the
job. Why negotiate rates until you know what
the job boundaries are?
 Don’t finalize salary until you understand
benefits. They might have more flexibility on
seniority, time off, job schedule than on what
pay they can offer
 Ask how often you will be evaluated for salary
increases “based on performance”

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Negotiating Salary
 Know what the standard range is for the job
in the company or the area
 Try to get them to give the first number
 If they ask your price too early,
 ask if they are ready to offer the job. Otherwise,
keep discussing what the expectations are and
benefits available
 say you believe you will be compensated fairly for
value provided to the company

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Negotiating a Raise
…in the Interview
 From “How to Make $1,000 a Minute”
 When they make a salary offer, don’t accept
immediately. Acknowledge the number and look
thoughtful. Maybe you repeat their number
 (Thirty eight five. Hmm. With 8 days off?)
 Wait 45 seconds, pretend to ponder
 If they don’t jump in with a better offer, ask when
they need to know your answer
 If right then, and you’re satisfied, smile and accept the
offer. Ask when you would be able to start.
 Always answer back before the deadline.

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After the Interview
 Thank them for their time
 If you haven’t given your TMAY, could do it at end
 Be pleasant to the receptionist and guards on your
way out
 Review your notes for a few minutes before leaving,
but leave soon – don’t linger in the parking lot
 That day - mail hand-written thank you notes to
everyone who interviewed you.
 Pay attention to unusual spelling

 Special thanks for special courtesies extended
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If you don’t get a quick callback
 Call after a week to inquire when they expect to
make a decision
 Ask if you can call back then, or in another week
 Be polite

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If you don’t get the job
 Thank them for their consideration
 Occasionally, the selected candidate didn’t work
out, or turned them down before starting.
 Rather than redo the interview process, they may
hire the 2nd or 3rd best candidate
 Be memorable
 Keep watch for other jobs you qualify for

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Step 7:
Leaving your Current Job
 If still working, leave on good terms
 Might need to come back
 Boss there might become a boss at new company
 Current coworkers might have friends or relatives
at the new company
 Maintain contact
 Might want to use them for future references
 Might be reference for one of them
 Some companies pay recruiting bonuses!

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Get Help
…But You Have to Work
 Do recruiting services work?
 Yes, but only if you use them the right way
 ‘For Hire’ recruiters take your money even if
you never get a job
 Company recruiters make money only when
you get hired
 They won’t work with you if you don’t match their
profile
 Better to spend money on individual coaching

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Books & Websites
 Many books and websites
 Conflicting advice
 Some of it wrong
 Good information sources:
 Monster.com
 TheLadders.com
 ONetOnline.org

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For More Information
 Harwin House staff are available for resume
review or personal job search coaching
 Watch for new information on the job search
website
 www.HarwinHouse.com/JobBlog
 Contact us at Info@HarwinHouse.com

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The Right Job Search Process

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