10 Job Search Tips to get you Started

1.      Be organized

       a.      Set up our computer with all your Career links for weekly follow-up 
       b.      Have an exit statement and stick to it with everyone you meet—EVERYONE!
 
2.      NEVER, NEVER talk badly about your former employers or company.
 
3.      Check out www.Godel.com under Job List and you will find over 65 locations to refocus, get help and network--go to at least one a week for motivation and energy. Networking works 90% of the time—where do you want to spend your time?
 
4.      There is no such thing as an informational interview. Expect every encounter to be a full interview even a 3-5 minute visit.  First impressions are so important and that person could help you find your next job.

5.      Get LinkedIn--Get recommended.  In Nike speak--just do it.

6.      Get your business cards ASAP for networking.  Don’t worry, you will redo so get something on paper to pass out and start connecting.  Never go smaller than 7pt www.VistaPrint.com

                  a.      Name (no address)

b.      phone #

c.        email

d.      LinkedIn address

e.      area of expertise

7.      Volunteer your time.  It will help to make your resume more robust—don’t stop once you get the job.

8.      Develop a schedule

a.      Job Searching is full time

b.      Goals for the day, week.  Remember it is a numbers game

c.       Face-to-Face Meetings Are Better than phone but phone is better than no contact.

d.      Don’t neglect your looks—Get dressed up nice at every networking meeting.

9.      No matter how much time you spend on your resume, you will always have changes.  Spend a lot of time early on and then tweak it as you go along. It’s not about YOU, it’s about them (hiring manager) do not use I, me, my on you resume. 

10.  Use a T-Letter as a cover letter (see more on this in another blog post)