The Top 10 Organizing a Job Hunt

Originally Submitted on 5/1/2000.

As a former consultant who made a living by job hunting, as someone who changed jobs a number of times, and who has worked for years with people who were looking for jobs, I would like to share my experiences about what worked for me and for others I have helped. If you're looking for an executive level job, some of the points here will be different for you.

1. Understand the function of your resume and make yours work for you.

The major function of a resume is to get you an interview. It is an important tool, but remember that it's just a job hunter's glorified business card. (See my other top ten on writing a resume at: http://www.essentialcoaching.com/writings/b10ResumeWriting.html.)

2. Exude confidence (but not arrogance) and be upbeat in your resume, cover letter, and interview.

The more upbeat you are in your self-presentation, the more attractive you will be to prospective employers. Although many people are embarrassed about looking for a new job, there's really nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone changes jobs from time to time and many people find themselves between jobs at some time in their lives.

3. Interview employment agencies to make sure you want them representing you.

An agency isn't doing you a favor by representing you. They will collect a commission from the employer who hires you. When you interview the agency, find out what their practices are and if you don't like the way the agency works, don't work with them. For example, there was an agency I spoke with that wouldn't show me the resume they proposed to send out (I didn't use them). There was another agency that sent out my resume, presumably in a large stack of other resumes, to every computer company in the Boston area (the shotgun approach). I was young and inexperienced and didn't ask how they worked initially, but when I found out what they were doing by bumping into my own resume while interviewing at a company where I had a personal contact, I severed my relationship with the agency.

4. Work with two or three agencies.

If you work with one agency, you're giving them too much power. If you work with too many agencies, there's too much risk of potential employers getting your resume from multiple sources.

5. Identify potential employers and send, but don't shotgun, your resume to them.

When you're looking for a new job, rely on yourself to manage the marketing of yourself (with agencies) and also be a participant in marketing yourself. Read the paper, visit job database web sites, visit individual company web sites and go to job fairs.

6. If it's at all possible, get personal introductions to the hiring manager or at least to other employees and send your resume to them.

If you have a personal connection, you enhance your chances. Your contact will often tell you some of the things that you might not hear in the interview. Additionally, companies sometimes give bonuses to people who refer successful applicants.

7. You learned enough about the company before sending your resume to decide to send the resume. Learn more about the company before you actually go for the interview.

Visiting the company web site is simply expected these days. If you don't take this simple step, they may not take you seriously.

8. Interview for one kind of job at a time.

Be clear about what you're interviewing for. If you're interviewing for a job, don't try to sell consulting. If you're interviewing for a staff position, trying to straddle the fence by interviewing for a management job will probably be a tough sell. Trying to interview for two things at once will probably result in no sale for either.

9. Write a follow-up letter after the interview.

The letter doesn't have to be elaborate. Just thank the people you spoke with for their time and if you're interested in the job, say so. If you aren't interested in the job but established a special rapport with someone you spoke with, writing a letter to that person opens an opportunity to stay in touch. Aside from being courteous, a letter will also let a prospective employer see how well you write --and having employees who write well is a great asset for any employer.

10. Let people know that you're looking for a new job -- but be careful about the news getting back to your current employer or you may find your current job disappearing before you want it to.

Friends, family, current and former colleagues are all sources of contacts for jobs. Letting people know what you're looking for is a great way to learn about opportunities you might not learn about otherwise.

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