Treating the job hunt like a job
by Tara West at Aussie Résumés
“The major difference between successful and unsuccessful job hunters is
not some factor out there such as a tight job market, but the way they go
about it.” R. Bolles, What Color Is Your Parachute.
If you’re serious about securing a job, you’ll certainly treat it
like a job and stack everything in your favour. This can mean:
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Asking your family to be your
personal cheering squad – seriously; you’ll need it! There’s
nothing better than someone who’ll pat you on the back when you’re down
and suffered a few rejections. They’re the ones who should be giving
you pep talks and carrying you through the hard times.
-
Creating a schedule; a plan
of attack. If you’re unemployed, this should mean you put in at
least 7 hours a day in finding a job – treat it like your full time job.
If you’re employed, spare at least 20 hours a week – that is, treat it
like a part time job.
-
Developing a strong
relationship with your local job network provider or recruitment firm.
Bug them (within reason!).
-
Networking with your friends
and acquaintances. Get in their face and tell the world you’re
available!
-
Forming a mentoring /
coaching relationship with someone you admire and believe in. This
isn’t to say they offer you mentoring in job hunting – on the contrary.
It should be in another area that you need challenging in and which keeps
you on track with your ultimate goal – i.e. your dream job!
-
Conducting exhaustive
research about various companies, your industry, and your occupation.
Keep your knowledge current and up-to-date.
Getting back to point two above. I can well imagine
the gasp of horror when you read it. Spend 7 hours a day on job
hunting?! But how?
If you’re currently spending half an hour each day in
looking at job ads on the Internet and buzzing off the same old application each
time, please stop! Challenge yourself, your thinking, and you could halve
the time it takes to find a job!
Halve, hey? It is possible. It all comes down to your
approach. Think about it – there are thousands of businesses out
there… do they all advertise? No. Jobs are secured by other methods.
I have previously raved on about the ‘marketing’ aspect
of your résumé; and your job hunt is no different. Just as you should
always look at the aspect of ‘why’ a hiring manager should employ you (eg:
looking at it from the employer’s perspective), you should take an
employer’s approach in seeking a job.
So how do businesses try and gain your custom?
Predominantly, advertising. You can do the same thing. Listed here
are some fantastic methods to help you – something which could halve your job
hunt!
-
Telemarketing:
do you know which employer impresses you? Who would you like to work
for? Undertake some telemarketing! Personally phone the
businesses you would like to work for and advise of your availability and
what you have to offer.
-
Direct Mail:
plan an effective public relations campaign. Again, targeting the
employers you personally admire and would like to work for, put together a
killer cover letter and / or résumé and post to the business. Ensure
you phone the organisation to gain the hiring manager’s name –
personalise your mail! An alternative to a cover letter and résumé
is your very own marketing / promotional flier. Be creative. Dare to
be different.
-
Personal
Marketing: again, targeting the employers you would like to work for,
personally call into these organisations and offer your services to the
hiring manager. Don’t be frightened to take this approach.
Sure, half the time you may not get past the receptionist – but take the
‘glass half full’ (not empty) approach. It’s the other half
which counts. Make sure you have a cover letter ready which thanks
them for their time; summarising your strengths and abilities as discussed
with that person. This is similar to a letter you would send out after
an interview. If you can’t get past the receptionist leave your own
personalised ‘calling card’ – similar to a business card.
-
Personal
Advertising: we’ve expanded on ‘being an individual’ in our Résumé
Guide and the different methods you can employ to get noticed. This
includes placing an A5 flier on community noticeboards (including the pizza
joint – hiring managers do go out and read things like that; they too kill
time whilst waiting!), or inserting a short advertisement in your local
newspaper.
-
Opportunity
Development: join some clubs to network. Ensure you have your ‘calling
card’ ready – on the front you should have a headline which screams your
area of expertise, along with your contact details; on the back concisely
list your key attributes, skills and achievements.
Then of course you have the more traditional methods,
namely applying for advertised vacancies and / or posting your particulars
somewhere on the Internet.
Attitude counts for a lot these days – the five marketing
points above will certainly demonstrate your initiative and attitude to a hiring
manager.
If you were a hiring manager who was just that day thinking
about putting someone on in the next couple of weeks, and you were suddenly
presented with a super-duper résumé which demonstrated all the qualities,
skills and qualifications you were looking for – don’t you think you would
give that person a call? You bet.
Good luck
J

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