Introduction
Now that you understand the five basic job search methods, it is important to review a number of winning strategies for success.
Winning strategies
Combine the five basic games
People find jobs using each of the five job search methods, so don’t lose interest in a viable activity. The important thing to do is to allocate your time according to the effectiveness of each method. The job search work plan on the next page will help you decide how much time you will allocate each week to each of the four approaches.
Personalize your contacts
Employers hire people, not resumes or letters. As mentioned in the previous chapter, look for opportunities to meet face-to-face with potential employers. If this is not possible, at least contact them by phone. Your goal is to reduce the barriers that exist between you and the person hiring.
Tool: Contact Form
This tool will help you improve your job search strategies by listing all the employment contacts you will want to reach.
Keep "playing until you win".
Finding a job is a numbers game; the more people you contact, the faster you will find a new job. Regardless of the ups and downs, keep at it until you get an offer. Avoid the tendency to sit and wait for what seems like a promising opportunity. You never know which way your job will go.
To complete this chapter, complete the job search worksheets found on the following pages each week. Plan carefully and remember that full-time work will help you earn significant rewards.
Set aside time each week to formulate your weekly goals and review your progress over the past week.
Goal setting and full time work
Looking for a job is a full-time job. Plan to work at it with the same discipline you would if you were in a corporate position. Schedule regular hours and develop ways to measure what you do.
It is important that your family members support you in your full-time efforts; this is not the time to paint the house, take a vacation or redo the basement. Let them know that if you work part-time, you’ll be out of work twice as long.
The following planning tools will help you schedule your time and evaluate your results. Keeping track of your time allows you to be honest about the effort you put into your research work. Remember: careful planning and hard work will make a difference in the length of your research.
Weekly contact goals
During your research, you will add names to your master contact list. Use the “Weekly Contact Goals” form to determine who on your list you contacted this week.
Exercise: Resource Objectives Chart
This exercise will help you create a list of contacts that you can add to each week.
Daily Activity Report
Make copies of the Daily Activity Report and use a report every day during your job search. Keep track of the people and companies you have contacted, the actions you have taken and the results. Write down the date of the next thirty days so that you have room to record your reminders. Following up when you say you will is a way to score points with companies.
Tool: Daily Activity Report
This exercise will help you create a list of activities that you can add to each week.
Objectives for the week and activity plan
Use this form to set your goals for the week in your job search and to plan your regular family activities. Setting targets while looking for a job helps you feel momentum and satisfaction.
Exercise: Setting Your Work Goals
This exercise will lead you to determine work objectives that are realistic and adapted to your situation.
Tool: Setting Work Objectives
This tool will allow you to plan how you will use your time this week to search for a job.