Job Search Strategy

Follow these strategies to master your job search process.

Articulate Your Personal Brand

Questions to ask yourself:

  • What's my competitive advantage?
  • What do I offer an organization?
  • Unique? Distinguishable? Memorable?

Resume

Employers spend less than 9 seconds to look at a resume.

  • Under Work Experience, start each bulleted point with an action verb. For example:

    • Delivered excellent customer service.
    • Conducted financial analysis.
  • Too much work experience?
    • Delete high school information and lower level skills/jobs.
    • Summarize activities
  • Skills/Abilities Employers Want
    • Ability to make decisions and solve problems.
    • Verbal and written (reports) communication.
    • Obtain and process information.
    • Plan, organize, prioritize work.
    • Analyze quantitative data.
    • Tech knowledge related to the job.
    • Software proficiency.
    • Influence skills.
Poor Example
Filed papers.
Excellent Example
Maintained filing system for three-person office with accuracy and timeliness.

Cover Letter

Questions to ask yourself:

  • Why work for ABC Company?
  • What value do I offer?
  • Can I write well?

Don't forget to spell check! ("apart" vs. "a part").

LinkedIn

  • Include a photo and contact information.
  • Customize your LinkedIn URL (LinkedIn.com/in/sarahdove, not LinkedIn.com/in/sarahdove13x%#4ag
  • Summary: A narrative/story about your activities, interests, passion, and future employment desires/goals
  • Experience: Can be different from your resume.

Elevator Speech

  • "Hi, I'm Sally Brown. I'm studying marketing and will graduate in May this year. I'm doing a marketing research internship currently for Agilent Technologies which I really enjoy. What kinds of entry-level marketing positions are available at ______?"

Email Signature

Tim J. Delaney, CPA/PFS
Your wealth, your dreams, realized

John Brown
B.S. in Business Administration '12, Concentration in Wine Business
Passionate about Wine

 

Develop Strong Networks

  • North Bay Business Journal | San Francisco Business Times
  • Young Professionals Network (Chambers)
  • Professional Groups - HR, Accounting, etc.
  • Your parents' friends and contacts
  • Handshake Jobs Listing | LinkedIn
  • Staffing Firms: Aerotek, Nelson, Star Staffing

 

Master the Interview Process

Prepare for behavioral and traditional questions. First impressions matter - wear proper attire, pay attention to your body language, use a positive and energetic tone, smile, be confident, and give a strong handshake. Sell yourself!

What employers are interested in:

  • Who are you?
  • Why are you here?
  • What can you do for me?
  • Why should I hire you?

Questions to ask during the interview:

  • I've seen from your website that you value teamwork in your organization. Would you please describe how that plays out day by day?
  • What makes new hires at ABC Company successful in their jobs?
  • What training opportunities are available in your organization?

End of Interview

  • Have I answered all your questions to your satisfaction?
  • ASK for the JOB!
    • "I now have a firm understanding of the position and the expectations you have. I'm confident that I will bring value to this role with my skill set and work experience. I really want this job!"
  • Find out "next steps" in the process.

After the Interview

Follow-up with handwritten thank you note and email immediately. State why you're a good fit. Explain why they should hire you.