The Secrets To A Successful Job Search
The right opportunity IS out there. Make a plan, stick to it, cultivate the right attitude and you’ll find it. Phil Bolton tells you how to devise a job-hunting strategy that works.
Traditional versus modern job hunting
The traditional job-hunting model involves waiting for the right job to be created, finding it and then beating off the competition to get it. To do this, the job seeker uses channels such as newspaper and online job postings, company job boards and recruitment consultants.
The modern model for job hunting is to proactively find or have the right position created for you in an organisation you’d like to work for. This involves a great deal of networking, targeted searches and informational interviews.
Both models have pros and cons. The traditional model means you are going for jobs that actually exist. However, you tend to have much more competition and it can be hard to land the role. The modern model allows you to create your ideal role that might not exist yet. However it can take a lot of time, patience and hard work.
Most research on the topic suggests that around 50% of jobs are filled by each of these approaches.
Given all of this, I suggest that the ideal job search strategy is to make sure you are consistently using every appropriate tactic.
How to structure your search
Think of your job search as the most important work project you’ll ever undertake. You should be as professional, organised and committed as you are with your day job.
You may have a favourite approach for structuring a project (if it's your things, this is where your inner Excel geek will come out). If not, I suggest you create a strategic overview of your job search. This will outline each tactic you plan to use and then specifics of what you are committing to.
You can then keep a weekly “to-do” list containing specific, measurable commitments defining what you will accomplish (for example: create a target list of 10 organizations I want to work for, check the job boards of those organizations for new roles, use MoveMeOn to find the right recruitment consultant and set up a meeting.) You can then tick the tasks off your list as you complete them.
Use this summary of job search tactics to create your strategic overview:
1. The traditional model
• Review newspaper advertisements for job postings that fit your criteria.
• Review online job boards for new jobs that fit your criteria.
• Review company job boards for new jobs that fit your criteria.
• Work with recruitment consultant(s) to identify roles that fit your criteria.
• Use Linked In postings and Groups to find advertised roles that fit your criteria.
• Approach the HR department in your current workplace and leave your CV for the type of job you want.
• Apply for posted jobs identified using CV, covering letter etc.
2. The modern model
• Immediate network – look for people in your immediate network who work for organisations you’d like to work for, or who do the type of work you want to do. Ask for an informational interview. Ask for further connections in the field.
• Wider network – tell your network what you want to do and the organizations in which you want to do it. Ask to be introduced to people they may know at these organisations or in your chosen field. Organise informational interviews.
• Fresh network – attend events that relate to your chosen field or industry and make new connections. Follow up and aim for informational interviews.
• Targeted search – create a “hit-list” of organisations that you want to work for in the area(s) you want to work.
• Research target organisations and identify the personnel you’d like to contact.
Use the following techniques to get a connection with these people or more broadly at the company you're interested in:
• Cold calling – call and try to get in touch with the person (your research of the company and their work will help you here).
• Walk-ins – consider showing up at the organisation you want to work for (again, you should be well prepared).
• Internships / volunteering – try to find a way to work in organisations that interest on a volunteer or temporary basis to show your skills.
• Get creative – the only limit to making a connection or finding a job is your imagination.
Read more | www.careershifters.org
Traditional versus modern job hunting
The traditional job-hunting model involves waiting for the right job to be created, finding it and then beating off the competition to get it. To do this, the job seeker uses channels such as newspaper and online job postings, company job boards and recruitment consultants.
The modern model for job hunting is to proactively find or have the right position created for you in an organisation you’d like to work for. This involves a great deal of networking, targeted searches and informational interviews.
Both models have pros and cons. The traditional model means you are going for jobs that actually exist. However, you tend to have much more competition and it can be hard to land the role. The modern model allows you to create your ideal role that might not exist yet. However it can take a lot of time, patience and hard work.
Most research on the topic suggests that around 50% of jobs are filled by each of these approaches.
Given all of this, I suggest that the ideal job search strategy is to make sure you are consistently using every appropriate tactic.
How to structure your search
Think of your job search as the most important work project you’ll ever undertake. You should be as professional, organised and committed as you are with your day job.
You may have a favourite approach for structuring a project (if it's your things, this is where your inner Excel geek will come out). If not, I suggest you create a strategic overview of your job search. This will outline each tactic you plan to use and then specifics of what you are committing to.
You can then keep a weekly “to-do” list containing specific, measurable commitments defining what you will accomplish (for example: create a target list of 10 organizations I want to work for, check the job boards of those organizations for new roles, use MoveMeOn to find the right recruitment consultant and set up a meeting.) You can then tick the tasks off your list as you complete them.
Use this summary of job search tactics to create your strategic overview:
1. The traditional model
• Review newspaper advertisements for job postings that fit your criteria.
• Review online job boards for new jobs that fit your criteria.
• Review company job boards for new jobs that fit your criteria.
• Work with recruitment consultant(s) to identify roles that fit your criteria.
• Use Linked In postings and Groups to find advertised roles that fit your criteria.
• Approach the HR department in your current workplace and leave your CV for the type of job you want.
• Apply for posted jobs identified using CV, covering letter etc.
2. The modern model
• Immediate network – look for people in your immediate network who work for organisations you’d like to work for, or who do the type of work you want to do. Ask for an informational interview. Ask for further connections in the field.
• Wider network – tell your network what you want to do and the organizations in which you want to do it. Ask to be introduced to people they may know at these organisations or in your chosen field. Organise informational interviews.
• Fresh network – attend events that relate to your chosen field or industry and make new connections. Follow up and aim for informational interviews.
• Targeted search – create a “hit-list” of organisations that you want to work for in the area(s) you want to work.
• Research target organisations and identify the personnel you’d like to contact.
Use the following techniques to get a connection with these people or more broadly at the company you're interested in:
• Cold calling – call and try to get in touch with the person (your research of the company and their work will help you here).
• Walk-ins – consider showing up at the organisation you want to work for (again, you should be well prepared).
• Internships / volunteering – try to find a way to work in organisations that interest on a volunteer or temporary basis to show your skills.
• Get creative – the only limit to making a connection or finding a job is your imagination.
Read more | www.careershifters.org