Training Coordinator
There was a time when job searching meant walking into a
business that you felt could use your services and asking to speak to the owner
or manager. After a brief conversation if the business felt they could use your
talents you shook hands and the next day you started a new job.
Those days are gone.
In today’s world there are many elements that go into an
effective job search. Here’s a short list of some of those elements.
Résumé – Make
sure your résumé is up to date, not only in the work history and education
areas but also in its formatting. Does the style résumé you’re using do an
effective job of selling you? Is it too long? Is it too short? Have you
tailored it to each job for which you’re applying?
Comprehensive
Application – Think about all the information that you’ve been asked to
supply on an application. Now create a document that contains all that
information and make sure you have it with you when you go to fill out an
application. Don’t forget to take it with you when you go for an interview
because you may be asked to complete an application at that time. Having this
information with you in an organized fashion will make completing an
application much faster and easier.
Volunteering –
There are many reasons to include this in your job search arsenal. One reason
is that you can list it on your résumé and thereby show that you’re keeping
your social and work skills fresh. Let’s face it if you’re sitting at a
computer submitting résumés and job applications, you’re not using your work
skills or interacting with people. Volunteering also shows potential employers
you’re out there trying to make something happen instead of waiting for
something to come to you. It also provides you with opportunities to meet
people and expand your network of contacts.
Contacts and
Relationships – Your network is a key element in your job search and if
you’re not utilizing it you’re missing a lot of opportunities. It’s been said
that 80% of the available jobs are only going to be found by networking. Don’t
let the word ‘networking’ scare you. You do it every day whether you realize it
or not. Basically, it’s all about making contact with people and building
relationships with them. Think about it, if you were an employer would you be
more interested in hiring someone you knew only through their résumé or someone
referred to you through a friend? The obvious answer is that most people would
rather hire the one referred to them through a friend. It’s even better if you
meet that potential employer in a volunteer setting. People like to hire people
they know, like and trust. The first step in that equation is to get known.
Social Media –
Like them or not computers are here to stay and so is social media. I read an
article in a human resource magazine not too long ago that said 89% of
employers found 65% of their new hires through social media. Like any other
tool, social media must be used with caution. Learn how to use the different
varieties. Almost all the social media out there offers tutorials on how to
effectively use it.
The reality is that while the tools for performing an
effective job search have changed the basic concept is the same. Get known by
those in a position to hire and convince them that you’re someone they need on
their team.
