1. Planning Your Job Search The Office: Strategies to get you there… Presented By Sonjala Allen CFA Career Consultant www.cmu.edu/career
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3. “ Being able to do the job well will not necessarily get you hired; The person who gets hired is often the one who knows the most about how to get hired.” 10/03
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Editor's Notes
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Three main phases to a job campaign We will focus today on prep phase Assume you’ve done research-doing research (covered this in intvw wrkshp) do have handouts on research in library. Will do a refresher on 2-min sales pitch Won’t be covering cover letters/resume. Will focus today on creating strategy for job search-implement targeted search.
There is no specific job search strategy that will work for every applicant; nor be applicable to every situation. Therefore, it is important to consider all of your options. In addition, flexibility and perseverance go a long way toward finding the right match for your skills, interests and values. This is particularly true when you are working full-time and looking for a new job. A job search can be a full-time job, but in many cases a person will need/want to remain in a current position while looking for something new.. In those cases allow extra time for your search. Keeping these thoughts in mind, there are three general steps that are critical to most job searches: Assessment, Research and Implementation.
Prior to sending out resumes and embarking on interviews, it is important to have a clear idea of what you want to do, and what type of work environment you find most enjoyable. This knowledge not only helps narrow your target audience, but it also provides you with a succinct statement to provide employers when they ask, “So why do you want to work here?” Informational interviews and talking with friends, faculty and former employers can also help you identify your likes/dislikes, strengths/weaknesses, etc. Also, ask yourself questions related to your academic training and previous employment to gain insight into the types of future employment you might find most challenging and yet, rewarding. A few sample questions are: “ What were your favorite classes in school? Why? In what class did you do the best? Why?” “ Do you enjoy working for a particular cause? A particular population?” “ Do you prefer to work directly with clients or on transactional documents?” “ Where do you see yourself ten years from now?”
Sales Pitch consists of : Who You Are, Educational Bckgrd, Professional Bckgrd & Job Objective. Plus, any Relevant accomplishments. Used in : cover letters, info mtgs, networking, interviews. Keep in mind : Your Audience, What they are interested in, Who your likely competitors are, what you offer that competition does not. Pointers : be relevant & @ proper level, be able to tailor it to fit situation, keep it conversational, not laundry list. PRACTICE & SHOW ENTHUSIASM!!
Employers expect applicants to research an organization before applying. The research can also be very instructive and help in in clarifying and focusing career goals. The thoroughness and attention to detail you show in this stage of the job search gives an employer a sense of how you will perform on the job. Candidates who take the time to research employers show motivation, seriousness of purpose, respect for the organization, and commitment to their personal goals.
Description of job responsibilities for a specific position. Personnel information: hiring and promotion record, general policies toward employees, relevant information (alumni?). Organizational culture and philosophy, goals, and strategies. Size, age, location(s), ownership (public, private, foreign), and brief history. Products or services, current projects, innovative approaches, major competitors, and reputation within the industry. Recent developments and news items, including past and anticipated growth. Your knowledge will show employers that you’ve done your homework and are sincere in your interest of working for them. In addition, this information will help you personalize cover letters and revise your resume so that it reflects your strengths in the interest areas of your target audience.
Alumni Database www.cmu.edu/alumni
Attend Workshops You are not born knowing how to have a successful interview These skills are learned We offer many workshops on career-related topics See new schedule at the beginning of each semester Post-Graduate Statistics: Check out the employers who have hired graduates from your School/major in the past year. Your career consultant can provide you with this information. Also go to: http://www.cmu.edu/career/students_alumni/post-grad-survey/index.html CareerSearch http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/career/students_alumni/successguides/pdf/careersearch.pdf An online employer database that allows you to search for companies and organizations in different geographic areas, and by number of employers, industry type, etc. Has over 1.5 million organizations in this database Has details and contacts for each employer Limit your search by location, industry, & keyword Also can list competitors Going Global Identifying work options, both at home and abroad Career Guides contains more than 10,000 resources for finding international employment at home and abroad. Featuring 24 countries, users can consult insider tips and professional advice on such topics as employment trends, salary ranges, job search resources, networking groups, resume/CV writing guidelines and work permit/visa regulations. Employer Directory and Job Listings
Many employers like to rely on personal contacts when filling positions and consequently a high percentage of positions get filled without being advertised Identify desirable employers and through informational interviews and informal contact make yourself a known quantity so when the need arises so will your name/face. This method can be time consuming and this process does not eliminate the need to use other more traditional job search methods.
65-90% of jobs are found this way-great way to reach hidden job market. Networking is systematic development & cultivation of informal interpersonal contacts. Can be accomplished by personal mtgs, telephone-fax, paper or internet/email. Idea behind networking is to build relationships . NOT “do you have something for me.” With Whom Do You Network? EVERYONE Personal Relationships, Professional Relationships, Org./Comm. Affiliations & Opportunistic Netwrks Strategy=techniques for getting interviews. Job Search Myth #2 :Best way to find job is thru ads, agencies, etc. NOT TRUE. Ads=5-10%, Search Firms=5-10%, Direct Contact=20% and Networking=60-70%. (DC & N=80-90%)! Only 10-25% of all available jobs at any time are advertised, meaning 75-90% are not . Tap into HIDDEN MARKET thru networking. May use all four techniques-OK to do so, but focus most energy on where you’ll see the results… Direct Contact and Networking .
Reasons: Run down list. Note about Advanced Mrktg Tool-People do business with people they know…trick is to be known by a lot of people.
Purpose -What info do you want? Start w/peers, establish & maintain relationships. Be good listener/sincere.Have friends critique you. Rank list -a)hiring authority b)job leads or industry knowledge c)can refer you to others. Extend beyond comfort zone -Farther away you get the closer you are to jobs. Can do letter as intro-”seek expert advice” etc. Call -remind them reason you wrote/have letter as script/don’t want job-only info-sensitive to time constraints. Don’t just leave msg-call 7-8x .. Family members Faculty Past supervisors Alumni (online directory) Colleagues Tell everyone that you are job searching
Telephone is a powerful tool in presenting your quals to employer. Used in all aspects of job search-especially networking. Preparation is critical to good communication. Sales call -have 20 seconds to capture attention. No time to wander- Scripting is answer. Scripting is simply planning what you’re going to say. (Refer to handout) Practice -smile & stand up-projects your voice. Voice Mail Tips -brief, 30 seconds,if leave msg, note that you’ll call back. Repeat your phone #.
Try to find out how large an org is-different techniques for small & large orgs. Small Orgs -generally easier-why? -Generally no formal HR/personnel dept to screen you out.(only 15% of orgs have this dept) -Easier to identify the hiring mgr-makes direct contact that much easier. -Greater likelihood they might create position for you. Small Orgs represent 80% of all private businesses, employ 1/4 of all workers in private sector & create 2/3 of all new jobs .
Purpose -help define career options, help in your research & build network. Do not misrepresent yourself-you are NOT there for a job! Usually 15-30 minutes-keep to schedule. Process : 1.Exchange pleasantries 2.Why am I here? (remind them how got name) 3.Estab. credibility w/2 min sales pitch-Why? Person better able to help if they know you more, impolite to ask ?s w/no info on you, trying to form relationship.
Make courteous initial contact, requesting a reasonable amount of the person's time. Send a brief letter stating how you got the person's name, why you would like to speak to them, and that you will call to arrange a meeting time. Include a copy of your resume, noting that the meeting is to learn more about what the person does and it is for background information only. Ask for information, not a job. If you make a good impression, the contact may let you know of openings. Arrange face-to-face meetings whenever possible. Use affiliations to enhance your networking, such as professional and community-based organizations, fraternities, and sororities. Be politely persistent. There are many reasons why a person may be unavailable on the first or second try. Try to obtain several referrals from each person you contact. Organize your contact information to remind yourself when to make a phone call, write a letter, or send a thank-you note. Follow up on leads and keep your contact informed of your progress. If you do not pursue a specific suggestion, let the person know since they may have already made a call on your behalf.
20% of jobs found through direct contact. Most job seekers are passive in their search strategy-send resume, wait & repeat. NOT EFFECTIVE. Must be PROACTIVE in approach. Direct contact is the logical conclusion to a successful networking campaign.
Be organized and keep good records of whom you have contacted, when to follow up and results of these contacts. 2.There are many details to track. Create a system, such as a simple computer spreadsheet or index card file, that will simplify the task and insure timely follow-up and call back. . 3. Plan to accomplish several career search tasks every day but set reasonable goals for what can be accomplished in a day or a week. Then, follow through with these tasks. **put aside time** 4. Assess your progress as the search continues. If what you are doing is consistently not working don’t continue to do it. Look for places to change something. If your resume and cover letter do not seem to be getting you interviews, review these documents with a Pomerantz Career Center strategist. If you are getting job interviews and are not receiving offers, you may be experiencing interviewing difficulties which can be addressed through mock interviews or talking with PCC staff.
Rejection is a normal part of the job- search process. However, if you have been looking diligently for six months and still have not found a position, consider whether you may need to gain experience or even redirect your search. Build Experience and Gain Skills Take a short-term position or internship. Work for a temporary agency. Volunteer to work without pay on a short-term project.
Unfortunately, a job search can be a frustrating and discouraging process. What we do for work is often a big part of our identity. If our wok is uncertain our identity can also feel at risk. It is important that not getting an offer is not taken personally, as you often do not know the real reasons behind an employer’s decision. What is important is that you are representing yourself in the best possible light. Maintain a balance between your job search and your everyday routine. Consistently remind yourself of your strengths, skills and accomplishments, and continue to pursue creative and relaxing outlets, such as exercising, going to the movies, gardening, etc. to keep yourself motivated. By following the suggested guidelines and making use of the plethora of resources available to you, you will find gainful employment In today’s continuously changing and competitive job market, no single job-search strategy can guarantee success. The effectiveness of your search will be influenced by how much time you invest and how many different strategies and resources you use. A job search takes an average of two to six months of organized effort.
Redirect Your Search Talk with a counselor to clarify goals and redefine your options - broaden them or narrow them Show your resume and cover letter to several of your networking contacts and explain your situation. Do they see any obvious problems? Do they think your skills and experience are suited to the field? What would they suggest to strengthen your application? Did you focus on appropriate employers and jobs that need the skills you have to offer? Have you restricted your search too much geographically?
Running Good Campaign?- Should have 6-10 things in the works @ all times. Need to assess your progress regularly Need to keep some kind of records-track activity. Habits to Avoid-Assessment Phase Selecting 1-2 targets too quickly Not being specific in selecting a target Not doing accurate research/Not ranking targets
Upcoming Events Tuesday, Sept 20 - Preparing for Job Fairs Rangos 3, University Center, 4:30-5:30pm Monday, Oct 10 - Dining Etiquette Rangos 1, 2 & 3, University Center, 4:30-6:30pm
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