THE 6 KEY STEPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL JOB SEARCH CAMPAIGN

OPEN THE DOOR TO SUCCESS.

Today, one job for life is a myth. We all have to go through the, somehow painful, but interesting, process of finding a job and selling ourselves. This will happen more than once in a life-time. The job search journey should not be about just getting a job; it should also be seen as an opportunity for a self-assessment. What is it that you really want and can do in your life.

When is it the best time to do that? I believe, at any time. But March is the time when budgets get finalized and approved in most companies. It means new approved open positions, creating new jobs on the market. The job market is not a physical place but a concept regulated by the offer and the demand. What does that mean for job seekers? The lower the offer, the higher the demand. So, you better be ready and well-armed to face fierce competition. In today’s economy, we clearly are in an “employer’s job market”. They can be picky to the extreme, the offer being impressive and the choice in talents amazing.

GETTING PREPARED:

Work on your confidence and self-esteem. You have to be able to sell yourself. Be credible and convincing without being pushy. Self-confidence provides that subtle difference. The more you know about yourself, the more confidence it creates. You can trust who you are, because you really know what you are capable of offering. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty.
Identify your key strengths while recognizing your weaknesses as improvement areas. Write them down on a piece of paper. Understand what they mean and own them. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty.
Define your ideal job. What do you really enjoy in your work? What do you dislike? What is important for you when it comes to your environment and the values of the company. Be clear about what you want to do for the few next years. Being in the wrong job is not healthy.Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty.
Find job opportunities. A rumor says that only 20% of the positions available are posted and that 80% are in the “hidden market”. Nothing here is a secret, but it is not publically advertised. To enter the “hidden market”, the key is your network. Tell everyone you know what type of job your are looking for. Nothing works better than having insiders in the “hidden market”. Finding job opportunities should not be limited to looking on the internet or the press for what is available. It is also creating a demand. Contact the Human Resources department of the companies you are interested in and market yourself as a must have employee. Make them want you.

THE PRACTICAL PART:

Create resumes and cover letters that represent your best talents and strongest skills and competencies. Make it clear, structured, easy to read and typos-free.Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty.
Prepare for the interview. It is not because you are invited for an interview that you have won the battle. Au contraire (on the contrary). The journey just begins.Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty.
a)    Do your homework. The employer expects you to be ready. You should know their company inside out. You should be aware of their strategy and have a clear idea on how you could help them reach their goals. If you know someone working for the company, invite them for coffee and ask all the questions you can. The more you know the easiest it is to position yourself as a solution for them. Remember that it is not about you, but about what you can offer them. Make sure your questions always put their interests first. Show that you understand what they want.Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty.
b)    Rehearse. Have a 2-3 minute presentation of yourself ready. Be clear when you speak. Make it easy for your interlocutor to follow you. Prepare to answer any questions. I just typed “interview questions” in Google and I got 890,000,000 reasons for you to be bullet-proof ready. Read about the most common questions asked and make sure you have the answers ready in your head. It is better to admit that you do not know something than trying to make it up. It is an interview stopper.Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty.
c)    Arrive early. Aim to be there at least 10 minutes before the set time. You will be able to relax and familiarize yourself with the environment. Take the time to breath deeply and observe your surrounding. You are not there to pass an exam but to meet someone pleasant who has a need for your talents. Blank line to look pretty.
d)    Look professional. The first impression sticks! Interviews are not the place to make a fashion statement or meeting events . You are here for a job; not to meet your soul mate or the producer who will discover your hidden talent. Even if this seems obvious, I have seen many odd situations in my 15 year career in Human Resources…..So, please, be clean and wear clean business attire. One more thing, if you are afraid about bad breath, take a breath freshener, but don’t chew gum. It makes any human being look unprofessional. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty. Blank line to look pretty.
e)    Say thank you and after the interview, send a thank you note to all the persons present. Make sure that you leave with their business cards.