Career Services > Job Search

5 Strategies

1. Utilizing the power of networking
2. Finding hidden job opportunities
3. Sharpening the focus of your resume
4. Developing a dynamic cover letter
5. Mastering the art of follow up

On Campus

• The Career Center's services include on-campus recruiting/interviewing opportunities each semester and the on-campus Career/Internship Fair during all and spring semesters

• The Career Center also has both job and internship postings online.

• Make sure you are registered to utilize these great services. Visit the Career Center online to register.

Off Campus Five Overlooked Strategies to Help Make Your Job Search More Productive -- and Successful

In times of economic downturns, when financial markets fall, and when companies of all sizes in many industries announce plans to reduce their workforce, job-seekers tend to get a bit apprehensive about the length and success of the job search they may face.

Different, yes. Harder and often more time-consuming, yes. Impossible, no. You will have to work harder and smarter to find new opportunities, but they are out there, and if you take advantage of these five strategies you will be much better positioned to land a new job.
 

1. Utilizing the Power of Networking
Networking is the most effective tool of job-hunting because if you use your network appropriately, you will hear of multiple job opportunities, often before they are even listed.

Some job-seekers shy away from networking because they equate networking with taking advantage of people, but if done right, networking can be a rewarding experience for all parties involved. Networking is not asking everyone you know for a job. Networking means developing a broad list of contacts -- family, friends, and people you've met through various social and business encounters -- and using them to your advantage when you look for a job. People in your network may be able to give you job leads, offer you advice and information about a particular company or industry, and introduce you to others so that you can increase your network.

Now is the time to expand your network -- even if you are not currently looking for a new job. You never know when you’ll need your network, so make every endeavor to grow it.

Need more information about networking? There are lots of networking tips, names and contacts for numerous networking and professional organizations, networking do’s and don’ts, and much more in the Art of Networking section of Quintessential Careers.

2. Finding Hidden Job Opportunities
In good times job openings are plentiful, but in uncertain times the job openings disappear. Job-seekers are left scrambling for the few “open” jobs. But there are always other job possibilities lurking in the background, and it is up to the persistent job-seeker to find those hidden job opportunities and/or to create new opportunities.

Finding hidden opportunities. Job-seekers must take full advantage of their network to uncover as many potential job openings as possible. Consider using cold calling techniques to find other opportunities. Focus more of your time and energy here than trying to respond to every job posting at Monster.com or the other job boards.

Creating new opportunities. As companies downsize and consolidate job functions, many opportunities may arise for a job-seeker with the right skills. Determine your most marketable skills, examine the ongoing needs of the employers where you want to work (including your current employer), and develop a proposal showcasing how the employer would benefit from hiring you.

3. Sharpening the Focus of Your Resume
One of the most important tips you can take away from this article is this one: resumes are supposed to document your skills and accomplishments, not your duties and responsibilities. Make a list of the two or three accomplishments from each of your recent jobs -- and then use them on your resume. Try to quantify accomplishments as much as possible.

Decide whether a traditional chronological resume format is better for you or whether you need a functional resume format, or some type of hybrid format.

Consider developing a “qualifications summary” or “key accomplishments” section for your resume. Think of this section as the executive summary of your resume. If the employer reads only this one part of your resume, will it be enough to persuade the employer to read the rest of your resume?

Develop multiple resumes, perhaps even customizing each resume you send to the specific job and employer. Also consider multiple resume formats, from the standard formatted paper resume to a scannable text resume and Web-based resume.

Finally, remember that a resume is a living document. You are never “done” with your resume. You should update and edit your resume(s) regularly, adding new accomplishments and skills, sharpening the focus, removing outdated material.

Resume Resources

4. Developing a Dynamic Cover Letter
A cover letter is an integral tool of your job search. In uncertain times, your cover letter becomes the main tool that can determine whether your resume is read and whether you are even considered as a candidate for a position.

The first paragraph of your cover letter must sell the employer on the benefits/skills/talent you will bring to the job - a mix that no other job-seeker has and one that has a clear benefit to the employer. Do not waste this critical opening paragraph.

Weak opening paragraph: I am writing today to apply for the account manager position you have posted on your company Website.

Better opening paragraph: I have increased the size and sales levels of my client base in every position I have held, which in turn has increased the revenues and profits of my employers. I want to bring this same success to the account position you have posted on your Website.

The final paragraph of your cover letter must be proactive. You must ask for the job interview (or a meeting) in this paragraph. You must express your confidence that you are a perfect fit for the job. You must also put the employer on notice that you plan to follow-up within a specified time.

Cover Letter Resources

5. Mastering the Art of Follow-Up
In good times, some job-seekers may be able to get away with being impolite in not sending thank you letters and being lazy by not following up all leads, but in a tight or uncertain job market, job-seekers must follow-up every job lead, every job application, and every job interview.

Each time you follow-up, your strategy should be to reinforce the perception that you are the ideal candidate for the job; the job-seeker with the unique set of skills and experiences required for the job.

Follow-up each cover letter and resume you send with a phone call or email requesting an interview. Follow-up each interview you have with a thank you note or letter to each person who interviewed you. And follow-up your thank you note with a phone call or email to again express your interest and fit with the job and check on the status of the search.

-Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., author