I like to look at the job search as a marketing campaign, with the job seeker as the product. One article even discusses marketing yourself as a brand, much like Nike or Coca Cola. Every product, even the best ones, won't succeed without a strong marketing strategy. A strong strategy begins with a comprehensive, yet flexible plan. First you must know to whom you are marketing. You must identify the types of employers who would be looking for an employee with your qualifications. Are they all within a certain industry? Are there many industries that hire employees with backgrounds such as yours?
Locating Job Leads
Next you must decide what sources you will use to locate potential employers. Everyone you speak to will have a different opinion on this. Some people feel that classified ads are a waste of time and that networking is the only way to go. Others believe that executive recruiters will get them the job they want. It is my belief that, to use an old cliche, you should leave no stone unturned. Use all methods of tracking down potential employers.You will then need to decide how you will contact your job leads. Generally a resume and cover letter is the way to go, especially if you are responding to an ad. If you are working with an executive recruiter, he or she will set up the meeting between you and the employer. If you find out about a job lead through a friend or other contact, you must decide whether to send a resume and cover letter, or to telephone the person who is hiring. Often your contact can advise you. If the prospective employer is expecting to hear from you, a phone call is a lot faster than sending a letter. Then he or she can tell you how to proceed.
Getting Organized
A very important aspect of the job search is organization. If you don't keep yourself organized you will misplace important names and telephone numbers. When you later need this information to follow up on resumes and interviews you will have to spend your valuable time searching for it. The Minnesota Department of Economic Security has placed on it's Web site an array of worksheets to help you keep your job search organized.Once you've established a strategy for your job search campaign, you can begin moving forward. The next step is to put together a great resume, and to start preparing for your job interviews.
