The blogosphere is full of good posts this week about how to get started with your job hunt. (Here’s a good one from the New York Times, another one from Anita Bruzzese.)
In the “old days,” job seekers could put together some basic information (a resume, a cover letter and a pitch) and, with a little luck, land an opportunity. Now, not so much. People like to see optimized materials (a *good* resume isn’t good enough), a LinkedIn profile is a must, social (online) resumes are more and more common and an online presence is assumed. Not to mention use of Twitter and Facebook, both of which fuel today’s successful searches.
So, what is a job seeker to do?
It seems obvious – you can’t be successful until you get started. You can’t get started on everything at once, so break it down and work on one thing at a time. My friend, Cindy Petersiel, a business coach, introduced me to a term that describes this basic, yet important idea: “chunk it down.”
As a career coach, I advise my clients to “chunk down” their tasks so they won’t be overwhelmed by the process of finding a job. It’s great advice for any of us facing lots to do and not enough time. (That pretty much describes most people I know!)
Some tips for “chunking it down”:
1.) Review your assignments and goals. Create a list of everything you need to do. Make sure you have a complete picture of the tasks and create a time frame.
2.) Break down the project into natural segments. “Write a resume” may be one project (with several parts). “Make a networking plan” is another task. Prioritize the segments and think about how much time each piece will take to complete.
3.) Focus on one thing at a time. Compile a daily “to do” list. Make sure it is reasonable; don’t give yourself too many tasks on one day. Depending on the job and your patience, you may need to further chunk down the steps. (No one should expect to write a resume in a day!)
To decide what to do first, consult your list of priorities. To keep your focus, try to include some fun, interesting or simple tasks early on. If you’re doing things you enjoy or finish rapidly, you’ll give your project a boost and quickly check things off of your “to do” list.
4.) Plan ahead. Make sure you have everything you need to work on your task as scheduled.
5.) Seek help. It helps to have a good support system. Ask for advice when you’re really stuck and to ensure that you are on the right track.
6.) Reward yourself. Celebrate your accomplishments. Do something fun!
Get ahead by getting started… timeless advice for job seekers!
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No matter what your job target, you can benefit from personalized advice! Don’t forget that clear, concise, optimized job search materials AND a strong, well executed plan are key for job search success! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching? If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.
photo by radiant guy
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After going through three phone interviews, a prospective employer asked me to travel to another city 3 days before Xmas for a face-to-face interview. The company made it abundantly clear they would not reimburse me for any travel expenses. Several other job boards and forums encouraged me to go for it. So I did. The interview went very well and as of Xmas Eve I was told that I was the top candidate for the position. For what were couched as “purely academic” reasons, the hiring manager could not make me an offer until further interviews were conducted with local candidates. Accepting this position would have meant relocating and I had volunteered to do so at my own expense as I had family in the area. In any event, the hiring manager sang my praises, told me which GPS device I would need to purchase and even advised me which hotel to book for training purposes. We agreed to follow up between Xmas and New Years.
On the day we were to close the deal, my phone remained silent. I called, left a voice mail and e-mailed. The next morning I called again. That afternoon I called again. That evening I called AGAIN. Fifteen minutes later, the hiring manager finally returned my call and started with, “Hi Nancy, I have some bad news.” Well, what a stretch it was to figure THAT out!
Seems the company I had been interviewing with had merged with another in summer 2009. Lay-offs inevitably followed. Instead of hiring me after being reassured that I was their top candidate and all further interviews were “purely academic”, the company went instead with a former employee who had been laid-off as a result of the merger. The successful candidate was local to the area, knew the ropes and was eligible for re-hire.
After profuse apologies for raising false hopes, I was supposed to be comforted by the fact that they would keep my resume for future consideration? Their only regret: I was such an exemplary candidate that I would probably be “snatched up” before another position opened up.
I work in sales and I have been looking for a job for two years. I have heard every excuse in the book from prospective employers. This one took the cake and for someone who is living off of unemployment with no savings and $157.00 left in a checking account, that $100 I spent to travel for an interview was a collossal waste of not only money, but time.
Yes, I am upset. I have been through this fire drill before and frankly, I am not sure how many more times I can be told “you’re our top candidate” and in the end, not receive a job offer. I am so depressed and could certainly use the help of a mental health professional at this point. Unfortunately, I have no health insurance. All I can do now is cry.