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The Job-Hunting Process

Fred Burch
fred@fredburch.com
December 12, 2012

Getting a job is pretty much like selling any other product: first you prepare the product, then put it on the market, and, finally, sell it. These steps must be done in that order; if you market yourself before you know what your focus is, you will probably be wasting your time.

The purpose of this article is to give you an overview of these three phases; details of the steps are outside the scope of this article, but can easily be found by searching the web. Job-Hunt.org publishes an excellent directory of  resources for finding jobs in each state; there may be a workshop near you that could also provide more information.

• Know Yourself – you need to be aware of what you have to offer the world, and what you need the world to offer you (that is, what kind of environment you work most effectively in.) Links to tests that can help you determine these things have been collected at www.burchschool.com/Job.html
   
• Focus on Your Goals – once you’ve decided what you have to offer the world and what you need the world to offer you, you should focus on jobs that can use your skills while offering you what you need. Don’t be tempted to skip this step by thinking, "I’ll do anything!" You probably won’t, and you will probably be wasting your time by trying to get a job before you’ve decided what you really want to do.

Marketing is what you do to promote yourself before the interview, and sales is what you do to promote yourself during the interview. Some elements of marketing include:

• Dress and Appearance – you should dress a level or two above the dress typical of the position for which you are applying. Overdressing may send the message that you won’t fit in, while under dressing may imply that you don’t care.
   
• Cover Letters – you may not wish to customize your résumé for each specific position you’re applying for (opinions differ on this) but your cover letter should always be customized to show how you can meet the employer’s needs.
   
• Résumé – these have changed drastically in the last few years; be sure to learn how they are currently being done from the web or any other resources you may have.
   
• Business Cards – these should list your basic contact information, the web address of your LinkedIn profile, and your goal or area of expertise. There are many online sources that let you design your own cards; www.allthingsbusinesscards.com offers a great collection of links to suppliers of traditional business cards, plus things like metal, wood, and edible business cards. Their page about "free" business cards is worth reading: allthingsbusinesscards.com/free_business_cards_free_shipping.htm
   
• Letters of Endorsement – if a reference is not available, a letter of endorsement from that reference may be sufficient.
   
• 30-Second Elevator Speech – use this when you need to quickly introduce yourself, create an interest in what you have to offer, and create a positive first impression. It should cover who you are, what you do, what makes you stand out, the companies that you’re most interested in (if appropriate), and a request for assistance in helping you find a position.
   
• Two-Minute Verbal Résumé – use this when you need to tell someone about yourself and have a little more time. It should cover your area of expertise, background, credentials, and experience; close with a statement of why you’re searching for a new position.
   
• Toastmasters – no matter where you go in life or what you do, you will need to communicate with other people. You’ll be more successful if you communicate effectively, and the only way to learn to do this is through practice. At first you may be a little uncomfortable doing this, but rest assured that it won’t kill you; it has been said, "Everything you ever wanted is just outside your comfort zone." For more information about the Weatherford, Texas club see weatherford.toastmastersclubs.org   For other locations please see www.toastmasters.org  and reports.toastmasters.org/findaclub/
   
• Networking – approximately 70% of available positions are never openly advertised; they are filled by someone known (either directly or indirectly) to the hiring manager. The larger your network and the more people you know, the more likely you are to be one of those people. Effective networking includes communicating the elements of the 30-second elevator speech to your contacts. Volunteering is an excellent way of extending your network while getting a foot in the door of places you may like to work.
   
• LinkedIn and other On-Line Social Media – LinkedIn is much more than just a professional version of Facebook; it will allow you to network far more effectively than you could ever do on your own, doing things such as discovering who the people in your network know, and who you and a colleague may know in common. LinkedIn is often the second place employers look after an internal search. As you go through life, collect recommendations on your LinkedIn profile; this will become your online reputation, visible to anyone who may be interested in you. Learn how to use LinkedIn from the many available books or online resources such as learn.linkedin.com, leaderhelper.com, powerformula.net or lynda.com
   
• Personal Branding - having a strong personal brand makes you stand out from the faceless crowd. To effectively do this you need to be able to effectively communicate why you are unique (see step #1: Know Yourself.)
   
• Prepare for your interview using Power Poses - for more information search YouTube.com for "Amy Cuddy".
   

• Interview Techniques – YouTube.com is a good source for examples.
   
• Thank You Cards – always send one after every interview to everyone who was involved in the interview. Some people prefer sending a personal hand-written card, while others feel that email or a text message is sufficient. However you send it, it must be correctly addressed; this can be facilitated if you collect everyone’s business card during the interview.

FREE EMPLOYMENT-RELATED RESOURCES IN THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREA

Come join us for employment opportunities, workshop information, and the latest updated AOC Job Club booklet of job openings. Please call the Alliance Opportunity Center at 817.548.5278 for the next meeting date.

http://www.alliancetexas.com/OverviewMaps/JobsTraining/AllianceOpportunityCenter.aspx
http://www.alliancetexas.com/Portals/0/PDF/AOC_Job_Seeker_Info.pdf

Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas offers outstanding workshops, assessment, counseling, job search training assistance, and selective placement services to help the unemployed, underemployed and persons with special needs (physical and emotionally disabled, single heads of households, New Americans, and the elderly).

To get on their mailing list please contact Allison Harding, Director of Career and Employment Services at aharding@JFSdallas.org. or call 972.437.9950.

http://www.jfsdallas.org/help/careers

Crossroads Career Transition Workshop
Saturday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
See  www.crossroadsbible.org/community.asp for the date of the next workshop

A free full day workshop taught by recruiters who actually do the hiring; plus you will have the opportunity to add the presenters to your LinkedIn network!

• Rex Saoit with Choctaw Nation
• Gail Houston and Leslie Mason with Intuit
• Locke Alderson with Alderson & Associates
• Gayle Bridgeman with Lee Hecht Harrison
• Lori Davis with Improving Enterprises, Inc.

Human Resource professionals specialized in recruitment and staffing will teach advanced skills, techniques and secrets for job-hunting strategies:

The workshop is for individuals who are un-employed, under-employed or just seeking new employment.  Many participants have taken the workshop more than once because of the encouragement it provides. People get to know one another and exchange information about possible employment.  We also connect people via the Internet to a wide variety of local job leads.

Cost:  There is no charge: FREE snacks, Lunch and Workbook.

For more information: http://www.crossroadsbible.org/community.asp

Registration:  By email only. ctw@crossroadsbible.org Confirmation will be provided via email. Limited attendance. Please do NOT phone the church office.  Reservations are not handled by phone.

Sherry Alpert           ctw@crossroadsbible.org
Crossroads Bible Church 8101 FM 407, Double Oak, TX 75077 

Directions from Weatherford, Texas

(total distance from Weatherford: about 65 miles)