Job Search Strategy
A very important early step in a job search is to have a strategy. Even better, have a great strategy. Haphazardly applying for every job you see, calling everyone you know and saying “do you know of a job?”, or whining about the lack of jobs available, are far too often what job seekers do. I guess that’s a strategy, but not much of one.
A high-level overview of a search strategy would cover these basic items:
- Define specifically what you are looking for
- Know where you want to look (region, city, maybe even area of a city)
- Find companies that need what you’re looking for where you want to work
- Develop contacts within, or related to, those companies
- Craft your various messages for how to approach people
- Network, network, network
Certainly, you will need to build systems for how you’ll manage contacts and follow-ups. You’ll need a resume. You’ll need to build a quality LinkedIn profile. You’ll need business cards, a professional email address, and much more. Don’t let these actions become your strategy.
Here’s an interesting article from CAREEREALISM that addresses job search strategy, The 3-Step ?Beat Unemployment? Plan.
Do you have a strategy? Do you have a great strategy?
Last updated: 10/14/2014
You can find all my Job-Search related articles here.