Winning The JobSearch War

1
Winning The Job-Search War

• IEEE
• January 27, 2003
• Jim Lemke

2
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."-
Milton Berle -
3
Guerrilla Job Searching Basics

• Pounding the virtual pavement
• Guerrilla name generators
• Guerrilla web tools
• All about you
• Reflections interests, skills abilities
• Your resume
• Closing the interview
• Selling your skills and experience

4
The Leads

• Gorilla name generators
• Unconventional, non-traditional, not by-the-book,
  and inexpensive.
• Think like a headhunter
• News stories (re organizational changes, grants,
  new business and employee promotions)
• Company website
• Press releases
• Events
• Stock site message boards
• Job Fairs (not just in your field)
• Former interviewers
• Hoovers.com Website/Book
• Executive search type marketing letters
• Create a fictional candidate

5

• Guerrilla tools
• Free
• IEEE.com
• Flipdog.com
• Truecareers.com
• Zillionresumes.com
• Monster.com
• Dice.com
• Hotjobs.com
• Jobsearchlink.com
• Careersurf.com
• Fee for use
• Grassisgreener.com Job spider - 12 for 3
  months
• Infogist.com Job spider - 29 for 3 months
• ResumeRabbit.com Resume blasting tool - 59
  unlimited use
• ResumeDirector.com - Resume blasting tool - 59
  unlimited use
• Research
• CareerXroads Website/Book
• 110 Best Job Search Sites on the Internet Book

6
Preparing to market yourself
7
You

• Your Passions
• Your best attributes
• www.emode.com
• What makes a job exciting
• What makes you unique
• Your resume its your marketing tool
• Tailor it for every position
• It is not a legal document but dont become too
  creative.
• It should be compelling. Use action verbs. Use
  numbers to indicate volume. Use adjectives.
  SPELL CHECK!!
• Ask others to read it. Get constructive
  criticism.
• Your contact information
• If you dont have a personal email addressGET
  ONE
• Dont use a silly Email addresses such as
• moosehunter_at_hotmail.com
• moviegoer_at_yahoo.com
• lovleylady_at_excite.com
• isleeponthejob_at_qwik.com, etc.
• If you change email addresses, broadcast the
  changes
• www.freshaddress.com

8
Selecting The Job

• Look for the hard skill job requirements
• Do your skills directly align with the job
  requirements?
• If not, can you truly align your skills with a
  spin?
• What to you bring to this job that gives you a
  competitive edge?
• What excites you about the job?
• Write it down and then put it in your cover
  letter
• Send a resume cover letter to HR and to the
  hiring manager

9
Interview Due Diligence

• Do your homework
• Research their web page
• What Products/Services do they provide?
• What is their market position?
• Who are the key managers?
• Who are their competitors?
• Have they been in the news?
• What is the corporate culture?

10
Interviewing
11
Prepare For Your Interview

• Rehearse your answers to common interviewing
  questions.
• Video tape yourself practicing to interview.
  Would you hire yourself?
• Show you want the job. Tell them what you could
  do that would benefit the organization. Tell
  them what youve done for employers in the past
  that could benefit them.
• Ask for clarification. It shows an interest in
  the position and what the interviewer has to say.
• Remember to listen. Communication is a two-way
  street.
• Take time to reflect before answering difficult
  questions.

12
Interview Basics

• Be on-time.
• Be well-groomed. Wear a suit. Wear sensible,
  well-polished shoes.
• Bring a resume, references, and samples of your
  work, if appropriate.
• Bring a pen and notepad. Jot down information,
  but dont take excessive notes.
• Make eye contact. Be confident.
• Try to relax.
• Be honest. Sell yourself, but dont claim skills
  you dont possess.
• Be aware of your body language. Be positive and
  try to make others more comfortable.
• Send a thank-you note within 24 hours.

13
Your pitch

• Selling yourself
• You should be able to say what you want to do,
  and you are prepared to do, for your next
  employer.
• You should be able to say it in 25 words or less.
• Be prepared to say it to anyone in the industry.
• Back it up
• Be prepared to give specific examples of your
  achievements.
• Think on your feet - highlight the skills that
  would be most important to the person that youre
  talking to.

14
Reference Books

• Resumes,Cover Letters Interviews for Dummies
  Joyce Lain Kennedy
• Job Searching Online For Dummies Pam Dixon
• The Interview Rehearsal Book -Deb Gottesman, Buzz
  Mauro
• Resumes in Cyberspace - Pat Criscito
• Resume Magic Trade Secrets of a Professional
  Resume Writer - Susan Britton Whitcomb
• Best Answers to the 201 Most Frequently Asked
  Interview Questions - Matthew J. Deluca

15
Remember.Job searching is a full-time
effort!Questions ?