Create a Game Plan

Create a game plan and be specific about what kind of job you are looking for. You will waste a lot of time and energy if you have not clearly defined your goals.

• Choose a career in which you will enjoy most of the tasks.
  
• Remember you are not just choosing a job; you are making life choices that will affect the direction of your life.

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Various types of Employment

• If you want a job at a particular company and they are not hiring, consider working for them part time, or on a contract basis.
  


• Full time offers routine work, usually 35 or more hours per week, and a regular paycheck.
  


• Part time is anything less than 35 hours a week and can be paid on a regular or per project basis.
  


• Job sharing is where 2 part time people sharing the work of 1 full-time person and split the pay.
  


• Temp or temporary work is where you only work a few days at a time and only get paid for the time you work.
  


• Consulting is where you subcontract your services to a company. You file your own taxes and you work out your own schedule. Contract work can be done at home or on location depending on the job being done.

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Get a Business Card

• Before you even begin the job search process, get a business card. With the advent of personal computers and cheap printers you can easily make a snazzy business card that has your contact information.
  

• If you are between jobs, you can give yourself a title such as "Between Careers", "Independent Consultant", "Contract Worker", "In search of Job Opportunity"
  

• Give your business cards out to everyone you know, every networking event you attend, give them to your friends to pass along to their current employers.
  

• Remember people can't hire you if they don't know how to get in touch with you and that you are available.

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Resume Writing

Clarity of expression is paramount in writing a resume. Recruiters are busy people. If your resume isn’t easy to read or it is full of vague happenings, it’s going to get trashed – without consideration.

• Use crisp phrases, starting with action verbs.
  


• Describe actual accomplishments and be as specific as possible.
  


• Make your resume uniform with each section having a header.
  


• Make sure the layout of all of your jobs look the uniform, with the company name, years worked and titles having the same font.
  


• Be sure to include your:

1. Experience

2. Education

3. Skills

4. Objectives

5. Summary of Qualifications

6. Volunteer Activities

7. Interests

8. Clubs or Community Memberships

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Get a Referral

When sending a resume and cover letter to a company in search of a job it is best when possible to have a referral of someone to contact. If you do not have a referral, it is best to seek out the highest person in the company.

• Make sure you have spelled their name correctly.
  


• Make sure your letter is spelled correctly without any typo’s
  


• Make sure your letter states clearly, what your objectives are. 

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Recommendation

If you were fired from your last job due to uncontrollable circumstances such as the company going bankrupt, or downsizing, or any other reason not related to your job performance and personality, it would benefit you to go back and get a letter of recommendation from your past boss.

• Add the letter to your resume when you send it out and use it as a promotional piece to help get you the next job.
  


• If you cannot get a letter, ask your boss if you may use him or her as a reference and have your future employer call.
  


• Ask your previous boss if they personally know anyone they would recommend you to that is hiring, have them call that employer and recommend you.

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Target Your Search

When sending resumes to companies in search of a job, remember mass mailings rarely ever work. Best tips for getting your resume into the hands of the right person it is best to:

• Target three to five companies
  


• Research on line and on those companies websites information about the products and services offered.
  


• Call the Investor Relations Department and get a copy of the company’s annual report.
  


• Ask the Administration department to send you any available current brochures, magazines and company literature.
  


• Do your homework before you send your resume
  


• State in your cover letter how your skills will fit in with the current operations of the company.

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Solicit Help from Friends

• Let all of your friends, neighbors, people at church, family and old coworkers know that you are looking for a job and tell them to keep their ears open for opportunities.
  


• Tell them the industry you want to work in.
  


• Share with them your skills
  


• Let them know what size firm you want to work for.
  


• Give them a way to contact you (like your business card)

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Find a Job in the Newspaper

• Pick up all local newspapers, business journals and Job Finder type newspapers and magazines. Often ads will tout companies hiring.
  


• Look for companies who list their business name and direct telephone in the ad.
  


• Look for qualifications.
  


• Call the company and ask for an appointment, they might suggest you first send a resume. If the position has been filled, ask what other positions they have open.
  


• Ask them if they will keep your resume on file in the event that their new hire doesn’t work out.

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Continued

Angela Oberer © 2008, Oberer is the author of the "Be Well Series".  You can send your questions and comments to her at: Angela@WordsofWellness.com