Susan Heathfield
About Guide to Human Resources
When you search for a job, network with everyone you know and never leave the meeting without asking for a referral to more people. I once picked up a half-time consulting assignment when a friend referred me to an associate who referred me to an associate, and so on. The actual assignment came from the fourth associate I met. The person who provided the job didn't even know the person who had started the chain of referrals. This has always been the most important way I have obtained jobs.
Something else that I feel is very important is to keep your resume and other job hunting materials always current. You never know when an opportunity will present itself. You need to be prepared to immediately respond when opportunity comes knocking.
Finally, use the interview to find out as much as possible about your fit with the culture of the organization to which you are applying. People who interview get into the "win" mode and want to receive a job offer at any cost. This is the wrong approach unless you are really desperate. You need to use the interview to assess your fit with the organization, to determine if you like the people, and how you are likely to get along with them. You need to ask a lot of questions about how the organization treats and values employees. You need to know that the organization will help you continue to develop your talents and skills as well. Because you spend so many hours at work, these kinds of serious questions are most important.
Tory Johnson
Women For Hire
Do not underestimate the power of networking. The majority of successful candidates find their positions through networking--not by sitting back and waiting for online job boards to deliver offers to their desktop. It's not just for powerful titans of industry; anyone can learn to network successfully. Start small by paying more attention to people around you. Don't be shy about calling long lost relatives or chatting up the person sitting on the treadmill next to you at the gym. Tell them what you're looking for and find out who they know or how they might be able to help. Expand your network by joining professional associations and attending local events. Finding a job is a full-time job--stay positive, stay focused and don't give up!
Ken Ramberg
MonsterTrak
A successful job search strategy will consist of both an online and an
offline approach. To find the "hidden" job market one should focus on building his/her network including professors, friends, and relatives, and former employers or any professionals these people recommend. Successful networking requires that you have as many contacts as possible hear your story, so they realize you are in the job market. To find "published" opportunities, the Internet is clearly the place to go. Sites like
Monster.com continue to take market share from the newspapers' help-wanted ads as the Internet has proven to be a faster and cheaper alternative to print.
Kay Stout
Right Management Consultants
Alumni are not just "old grads"...they can be the key to your first (or
next) career position.
Example:
You graduated from the University of Missouri, but you want to live near great skiing in Denver, Colorado. There's no better way to begin the journey than in the alumni director's office. Spending a few hours looking through
the directory and identifying people who either currently live in the Denver
area or alumni who share your degree can be the start of something BIG... i.e. a paycheck.
A well written letter, with the first paragraph linking the two of you to the same university and/or degree will catch their attention. The rest of the letter is "as Paul Harvey says"...the rest of the story...It should be a letter asking for an opportunity to visit with them either in person (if you're headed to Denver).... or by phone for their advice and input on where you should begin your career search.
Friendly Reminder:
You should always be a member of your college alumni association, and all other organizations to which you belonged while cramming for the big tests to get that diploma. They can be wonderful resources for your career.
