Job Search Strategies

1
Job Search Strategies

• Sherri Kuss
• Employment Coordinator
• Engineering Employment Centre E2 050
• www.engineering.ualberta.ca/employment

2
Workshop Overview

• Know Thyself
• The Job Market
• Have a Job Search plan
• Traditional approaches
• The Hidden Job Market
• Do your research
• Networking
• Informational Interviews
• Career Fairs
• Resources

3
Know Thyself

• Your career goals
• Your interests and aptitudes
• Your preferred working environment
• Your strengths and weaknesses
• Your current skills set

Things to consider before you begin

• "What lies behind us and what lies before us are
  tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
• Ralph Waldo Emerson

4
The Job Market

• Dont be discouraged even in a cool market -
  pay attention!
• Know the industry know the trends

Its competitive out there for the best jobs!

• Adjust your career preparation and take advantage
  of emerging possibilities

Many post-secondary graduates are woefully
unprepared for the realities of finding a job in
todays workplace. www.businessedge.ca
5
Have a Job Search Plan

• Determine your search strategy
• Get ready for your work search get organized
• Use traditional methods to find job openings
• Use creative methods to find employment
• Research employers
• Network develop leads and make contacts

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail cliché
(but true)
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Traditional Approaches

• On-campus recruiting
• - investigate what companies are coming and plan
  on attending a briefing or interview
  (www.Placeprocanada.com)
• Internet job sites
• - Effective but just dont put all your efforts
  here and ignore other job-hunting methods.
• Career Fairs
• Direct mail campaign
• Company Web sites
• Newspaper classified ads
• - such a small percentage of jobs are ever
  advertised - as few as 5 of all jobs!

7
The Hidden Job Market

• What is the hidden job market?
• Job opportunities that are never publicly
  advertised
• How do I access these opportunities?
• Relationships, connections, referrals

"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I
seem to have."    Thomas Jefferson
8
Research! Research! Research!

• No job description? - Review Occupational
  Profiles
• www.alis.gov.ab.ca/occinfo/
• Newspapers, Magazines, Pamphlets, and Websites
• Industry-specific publications
• Company annual reports
• Chambers of Commerce
• Career Fairs
• Career Centre
• Networking
• Discussions with experts in the field

9
Build Your Industry Contacts

• Start with familiar faces
• Communicate regularly with peers
• Make new contacts
• Attend industry events and conferences
• Participate in professional associations
• Read the newspaper

10
Networking 101

• Networking is more than just business cards
• Networking is relationship building
• What can I do for you?
• Follow up with contacts

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What is Networking?

• In simplest form
• Using contacts made (in business) for purposes
  beyond the reason for the initial contact

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What is Networking?
Networking Example 1

• Career fair contact results in a referral to
  another department with the company

13
What is Networking?
Networking Example 2

• Student project discussion results in an
  invitation to a plant tour

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Getting Ready to Network
The exchange of information does not happen
automatically or magically so PREPARATION is
critical to the process
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Networking 101

• Things to keep in mind
• Eye contact
• Smile
• Firm handshake
• Prepare business cards and an opening statement

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First Impressions

• Theres something in the air
• Cigarette smoke smell will cling to you and can
  be overpowering to a nonsmoker
• Do not wear a lot of perfume or aftershave be
  very light with the scent you choose and the
  amount you put on
• Be aware that what you eat or drink impacts your
  breath
• Do not chew gum during the event

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First Impressions

• How do I know what to wear?
• Wear something that makes you feel confident
• Basic grooming is critical
• Clean, classic, quality pieces
• Business casual usually works when in doubt
  check

Never judge by appearances, but remember
thats how people will judge you. Anonymous
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First Impressions

• Shake hands firmly upon introduction if a hand is
  offered
• Do not interrupt when someone is talking
• Answer questions clearly and concisely do not
  ramble
• Pay attention to your non-verbal communication
  gestures, posture, facial expressions, personal
  space and eye contact
• Do not hesitate to show your sincere interest in
  a conversation dont be phony, but dont play
  it too cool

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Informational Interviews

• The goal is to collect information.
• Do not ask for a job or set up an interview.
• Talk to someone who holds a position that
  interests you.
• Benefits
• Explore careers and clarify your career goals
• Networking experience
• Build confidence for interviews
• Access the most up-to-date career information
• See the organization from the inside

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Informational Interviews

• Possible areas of discussion
• Key issues and challenges facing the company and
  the industry.
• How new employees are recruited?
• Education and background of the interviewee.
• What does it take to be successful in their
  position/industry/company?
• References to other industry contacts.

21
Career and Job Fairs

• Visit a variety of employer booths to learn more
  about summer and career opportunities
• Practice your networking and informational
  interviewing skills
• Be prepared with your resume and dress
  professionally
• Dont miss out on the opportunity to begin
  developing your industry contacts

22
Questions

• Visit the Engineering Employment Centre website
  for more tips
• www.engineering.ualberta.ca/employment
• Come to the Engineering Employment Centre
  E2-050 ETLC
• THANK YOU!