Take Charge of Your Job Search: 12 Steps to Success

Despite what many people may say, a job search does not have to be an unpleasant experience. There are those people who choose to take charge of the process, who actually find the process to be very rewarding and stimulating. Conducting a job search is in many ways a self discovery process and an opportunity to put your true endurance and attitude skills to the test.

Here is the secret to experiencing job search success: Be Productive, Be Proactive, Be Positive, Be Persistent, and Be Polished. It is a very easy formula to follow: Do your homework on what you want to do and where you would ideally like to do it. Do more than you think is necessary before it needs to be done. Maintain a positive attitude, it will make all the difference in the world. Don't give up too easily, good jobs go to those who "keep at it." And throughout the entire job search process, be sure to look and act the part of a professional.

Steps to Help You Take Charge of Your Job Search:

1. Clarify Your Career Goals: When you know what you are looking for in a career, it is much easier to locate a job in that field. If you are not sure what you want to do with the rest of your life, see a career coach or counselor for assistance.

2. Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter: Invest in a resume and cover letter reference book to view examples of good resumes. Use the examples as a guide to create your own version. Think of your resume and cover letter as "self-marketing" tools. Then, have a few, qualified people review and critique your first few drafts. (Remember, these are works in progress that are never really finished, as you will be continually updating them).

3. Identify Potential Employers: Appropriate employer directories and resources are available for your use in the library or local university career center. Get familiar with books, magazines, and on-line reference materials in your career field and use them regularly. Only rely on the resources that help you to identify relevant employment contacts.

4. Establish a Network: Identify people in various organizations and companies who can give you insight into their employment needs. Identify faculty, acquaintances, friends, and relatives who can assist you in your job search. Become actively involved in professional organizations.

5. Research Potential Employers: Read literature about them, talk with people who know of their work, check them out on the internet. Gather as much information about the company as you can, so if you ever get an interview, you will already be prepared.

6. Practice Your Interviewing Skills: Make an appointment for a mock interview session with a qualified career counselor. If possible, video-tape yourself to see how you can improve your interviewing technique.

7. Conduct an Informational Interview: Ask your contact(s) if they have a half hour to talk with you about their industry. Ask a lot of questions, listen up, and take notes. This is an ideal time to ask if there are any job opportunities within their company and/or people they may know that you should contact. Have a resume in hand, just in case they ask for it.

8. Follow Up with a Thank You Note: Immediately following the interview, send the person or persons you met with a thank you note to show your appreciation. For actual job interviews, follow up with a telephone call within an appropriate amount of time to find out the status of their decision. Show interest without being overly aggressive.

9. Get Organized: Place all of your job search materials in one binder, so that you can refer to the information easily and quickly. Make notes to yourself about the interview, something the person said you would like to remember, or other important information.

10. Develop the Skills and Qualities that Employers are Looking For: Desirable skills include: Good oral and written communication skills, initiative, honesty, reliability, the ability to work in a team, and resourcefulness. Equally important skills to have are appreciation of diversity and the technological know-how for access into your industry.

Qualities:

Character (someone who abides by morals and high ethics in all situations),

Confidence (someone who is comfortable leading and following, composed, and has healthy self esteem), and

Competence (someone who possesses the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary to succeed in their career field).

11. Continue to Learn: Stay abreast of current trends in your field. Read, Read, Read. Attend workshops or lectures about your field of interest. Always be open to new information.

12. Repeat this Process: Repeat this process until you have secured your desired position.

Keep in mind that a full time job search may take anywhere from six months to a year to conduct, so be sure to start early. And remember that in the job search game, there are three kinds of people:

There are those who are destined to be successful.

There are those who are determined to be successful.

There are those who are neither destined or determined to be successful.

Which kind of job searcher are you? To be successful, take charge of the process and use the 5 P's. All it takes to land your ideal job is a lot of hard work, fore-thought, maintaining a positive mental attitude, having a high level of energy, and displaying professionalism.

About The Author

Michelle Casto is a Life Coach and Speaker who resides on North Padre Island. She is also the author of Get Smart! About Modern Career Development: A Personal Guide to Creating Your Life's Work. Contact her at (361) 949-0337, coach@getsmartseries.com, or visit virtually: www.getsmartseries.com and www.brightlightcoach.com

---

Theres No Need to Pad Your Resume

It seems like a good idea, harmless in fact. Your... Read More

Make A Lasting Impression With Interview Etiquette

(Des Moines, Iowa - February 2, 2005) Behaving appropriately during... Read More

Can Nurses Be Entrepreneurs?

Yes, Nurses can be entrepreneurs. In today's market place nursing... Read More

Last Year Physician Resident Checklist

Here is a last year resident checklist not to forget:LICENSING:Licensing... Read More

Resume 101

Whether you've been downsized, are looking for a career change... Read More

Pair Your Powerful Resume with a Great Cover Letter

Every great resume deserves a great cover letter.A cover letter... Read More

Five Facts You Must Know When Changing Careers

Too often in life, we fail. We fail not because... Read More

TMI: The Resume Destroyer

"They say my résumé should be only one page long.... Read More

5 Steps to a New Job

The economy is picking up, budgets are new, positions are... Read More

How To Receive Payment as a Freelance Translator?

A problem most freelance translators are facing with is how... Read More

How To Find A Job As A Copy Editor

Jobs for copy editors may seem like they are hard... Read More

Relocation Myths and Stereotypes

You've probably been taught not to stereotype people based on... Read More

Strange Jobs Still Pay The Bills

Strange jobs? How do we define that? Years ago I... Read More

Rich Career, Poor Career

What makes for a rich career? It is more than... Read More

Top 5 Tips for College Grads Entering the Working World

1) Build a Relationship With Your Boss:Like it or not,... Read More

How to Close Your Interview and Leave a Lasting Positive Impression

Closing the InterviewKnowing how to successfully close an interview can... Read More

Job Search Tips - How to Increase Your Success

Finding a job can be a painful and difficult experience.... Read More

Dont Stop! Your Transition is Still Moving!

Q. I'm looking for a new job and plan to... Read More

The Perils Of Employment: Are You About To Be Let Go?

From the moment you are born and you take your... Read More

Get a Raise: How To Ask Your Boss For More Money

How many people do you know who think they deserve... Read More

One Step at a Time in the Job Search

What is the first step to take in a job... Read More

Aptitude Tests Reveal the Difference Between Your Aptitude & Ability

Aptitude tests measure your skills, abilities, values, interests and personality... Read More

Interview Tips - Ten Top Dos & Donts for Winning Interviews

In this day and age it can become increasingly difficult... Read More

Work Attitude Ethics For Progress

This "fruit for thought" article is for all human beings,... Read More

Career Change Success Is Yours If you Follow The Formula

Recent surveys suggest that, given the chance, about four out... Read More

Job Interviews: Succeeding With Panel Interviews

These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of... Read More

Overcoming the 7 Roadblocks Women with Families Face Making Career Changes

Family is the driving force of our lives. You need... Read More

Six Sure-Fire Ways to Get Yourself a Pay Rise

Many employees do not care too much for their bosses... Read More

Talented People

I was asked last week for an article about employment,... Read More

Finding Freelance Writing Jobs - Join Us On The Job Search

Finding freelance writing jobs require great skill, dedication and lots... Read More

Network Now

Have you ever been to a networking event that was... Read More

Stop Searching for A Job and Start Attracting Professional Success!

1. Assess ? Evaluate your skills, interests and abilities. Understand... Read More

The Dog Days of Job Hunting

Does a headline like this scare you? it should because... Read More