Title: Job Search Strategies
1Job Search Strategies
- Sherri Kuss
- Employment Coordinator
- Engineering Employment Centre E2 050
- www.engineering.ualberta.ca/employment
2Workshop 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
3Know 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
4The 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
5Have 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)
6Traditional 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!
7The 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
8Research! 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
9Build 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
10Networking 101
- Networking is more than just business cards
- Networking is relationship building
- What can I do for you?
- Follow up with contacts
11What is Networking?
- In simplest form
- Using contacts made (in business) for purposes
beyond the reason for the initial contact
12What is Networking?
Networking Example 1
- Career fair contact results in a referral to
another department with the company
13What is Networking?
Networking Example 2
- Student project discussion results in an
invitation to a plant tour
14Getting Ready to Network
The exchange of information does not happen
automatically or magically so PREPARATION is
critical to the process
15Networking 101
- Things to keep in mind
- Eye contact
- Smile
- Firm handshake
- Prepare business cards and an opening statement
16First 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
17First 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
18First 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
19Informational 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
20Informational 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.
21Career 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
22Questions
- 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!