Do You Have a Job Search Strategy?

“Are you approaching your job search strategically? If you’re not sure how to answer that question or you’re shaking your head with an emphatic “no”, this post is for you.

Having a job search strategy sounds like a good thing, but what does that really mean? We tend to throw around the word “strategy” a lot, and I think it helps to come back to the definition: “a method or plan to bring about a desired future” and “the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for their most efficient and effective use.”

So, having a strategy means you have a plan to bring about your desired future (a new job), while efficiently and effectively using resources (your time and energy). Sounds straightforward, but it’s something many job seekers don’t do, instead jumping into their search without taking the time upfront to plan.”

by Erin Ewart

Read more: Why You Need a Job Search Strategy

streetsmartprof‘s insight:

To know if you are prepared for an upcoming interview for your dream job, read Erin’s article about having a plan in place. This is the last point in the article above and is my favorite.

Planning your career starts with a close review of where you are today and where you want to end up. Erin also discusses having it all wrapped together in a story to share with the hiring manager.

If you have solid story of “why they should consider you”. It is much easier for the hiring manager to see your strengths, skills and competence when they are deciding on who they will hire.

The job search is not about filling in the blanks. It is about telling your story about why you are the best employee for the position.

See on erinewart.com

Tapping Into the Hidden Job Market

“Once upon a time, the want ads were king, and job seekers could be relatively successful in finding employment by pounding the pavement based on what the want ads and job boards were offering.”

“In the current workplace climate, that pavement has significantly narrowed.”

“Unfortunately, many college students are unaware of the hidden job market and still operate under the notion that earning a degree and responding to job posts is all they need to do to land a great job.”

by William Frierson

Read more: http://www.collegerecruiter.com/blog/2013/08/21/tapping-into-the-hidden-job-market/

streetsmartprof‘s insight:

Tapping a keg, or a watermelon, takes a certain amount of skill, knowledge of the right steps, and the right equipment.

Coming out of college, you have the right skills to go find a job.

The larger question is do you have the right steps to take in your job hunt?

William breaks down finding a job in the hidden market using 5 easy tips. The article is worth reviewing for ideas, even if you are not actively looking for a job “yet”.

Want the melon tapper, go here:

http://www.kegworks.com/the-watermelon-tap-kit-412-p21094

See on www.collegerecruiter.com

Tapping the Hidden Jobs Market During Your Search | NYU

“If you attended our seminar last night, you already know that nearly 70% of jobs are found by Tapping the Hidden Job Market.”

“But in case you missed it, here are some tips and tricks for recent graduates looking for a job, current students searching for an internship, or for experienced professionals who are seeking to advance their career.”

Read more: http://nyuwassermanblog.career.admin.nyu.edu/2013/06/tapping-the-hidden-job-market/

streetsmartprof‘s insight:

Quick concise article which touches on all of the major areas to help unlock the hidden job market.

Such as balancing your job search time based on the fact many jobs are only located by networking. Which implies one should never spend 100% of the time on job boards only. Make sure to also use some quality time for networking efforts.

See on nyuwassermanblog.career.admin.nyu.edu

5 Secrets of Networking for Job Seekers

I. PREPARATION II. WORK THE ROOM III. NETWORKING TOOLS IV. BUILD MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS V. BUILD AND MAINTAIN CONNECTIONS

streetsmartprof‘s insight:

If you are looking for more then a quick article on networking, take some quality time to review this slideshare deck. Yes, it is long, yet it is written as a complete workshop on how to network.

See on www.slideshare.net

College Graduates Can Use MOOCs to Help Land A First Job

“With the competitive nature of the job market in general, recent college  graduates may have an experience deficit that shrinks their opportunity to  compete with experienced job seekers.”

“Employers aren’t looking just for a degree. They want to know you are going to  succeed in the job and that they won’t have to be hunting for your replacement  in a few months.”

“How can MOOCs, (massive open online courses), help new college grads land a job?” by Dianna Sadlouskos

Read more: http://moocnewsandreviews.com/back-to-school-how-recent-college-graduates-can-use-moocs-to-land-a-first-job/

streetsmartprof‘s insight:

Your dream job is based on skill sets you can bring to the table. Yet as a college grad, your skills are mostly around the “what and why”. Not much has been provided in terms of “how” businesses use your skill sets.

Dianna provides numerous sites which provide online classes and the price is definetly right, “free”.

If you have gaps in some of your skill sets, (which we all do), perhaps a few on line classes will provide the edge you need to raise above the noise during the job search.

See on moocnewsandreviews.com

The Most Overlooked Interview Research Methods for Job Seekers

“When I was recruiting, my team and I could always tell when someone had done their homework on the company or not.”

“If they didn’t do the research, they were out.”

“In retrospect, it’s regrettable we even had to waste an interview on someone who didn’t investigate us and our mission thoroughly.” by Lea McLeod

Read more: http://www.youtern.com/thesavvyintern/index.php/2013/05/03/impress-with-5-overlooked-job-interview-research-methods/

streetsmartprof‘s insight:

At first it may seem Lea as a hiring manager is being too tough. Then again, when you walk into an interview, the job is yours to loose.

The article provides some great insight into what to do before setting foot inside any company for an interview. Especially with all of the tools and resources available to scope out what a company does and why they are in the business they are in.

See on www.youtern.com

2013 Top 5 Job Search Sites Readers’ Choice Awards

“The winners of the 2013 About.com Job Search Readers’ Choice Award for the Best Job site include Glassdoor.com in the top spot, followed by US.jobs, Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com and TweetMyJobs.com.”

“All of the top job sites provide a variety of resources for job seekers, including job listings, career and company information, career events, and more.”  by Alison Doyle

Read more: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/rca/tp/best-job-sites-2013.htm

streetsmartprof‘s insight:

Your dream job has numerous characteristics and matches your skills and capabilities.

As you review job search sites, keep your dream job in mind. Every search tool has limitations on how it was designed and where it is pointed. Plus the odds are not any one job search site will be able to meet all of your needs.

An example, if you are looking for the top job search site for students, consider www.CollegeTopTalent.com or one of the other top 5 sites of 2013 here: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/rca/tp/best-job-sites-students-2013.htm

See on jobsearch.about.com