10 Tips to a Successful Job Search

10 Tips to an Effective Job Search
by Mino Sullivan

An effective job search is both and art and a science. Getting the job you want is not a matter of education, experience, connections or the best resume. At the core of every job search lies one individual who will determine your success: You.

Follow these tips to create your own successful job search.
1. Know what you want to do. To be successful in a job search we must develop a compelling vision of work that will excite and fulfill us as well as compensate you well. If you’re unclear on your next career step try http://www.skillscan.net. It’s an affordable assessment tool to help you gain additional clarity on what you want.
2. Develop a professional resume and cover letter. Use a professional Certified Resume Writer to create these documents or check out http://www.quintcareers.com/resres.html if you’re writing it yourself.
3. Create an Action Plan. Effective action plans include components to approach both the published and the unpublished markets. See our action plan check list at: http://www.careersuccesscoaching.com/job-search.
4. Organize your search. You will develop a huge amount of information during your job search. Check out http://www.jibberjobber.com to help you stay organized.
5. Research. This is critical. Learn as much as you can before you contact any company. The knowledge you acquire allows you to adapt your resume and cover letter to the company’s needs and the specific job. It’s no longer a one-size-fits-all resume world! A deeper level of research is crucial prior to networking meetings and interviews.
6. Identify a contact. Whether approaching jobs listed on the Internet or in print it’s crucial to identify a contact to whom to address your cover letter. In addition to Google, you can search networking sites like http://www.LinkedIn.com to find people you know the companies you’re applying to. Responding to a job posting without a contact is not recommended.
7. Contact recruiters and search consultants. Select recruiters/search consultants who specialize in your industry and geographical location. You can use Google and The Directory of Executive Recruiters in your library to help you identify them.
8. Network. Learn effective networking skills. Remember the purpose of networking is to gain referrals not land a job. See: http://www.effectivenetworking.com.
9. Become a top notch interviewer. Study interviewing strategy and techniques by reading Internet articles and one or more books on the subject. Our favorites include: Win the Interview, Win the Job: Outshine the Competition With Great Preparation and Skill by Caryl and Ron Krannich, Ph.Ds. (Impact) and Boost Your Interview IQ by Carole Martin (McGraw-Hill). The best way to prepare for interviews is to work with a career coach. You will develop a philosophy around what you are trying to accomplish in an interview, and you will prepare and roll play the answers to numerous interview questions with your coach. Also, you will learn the best questions to ask in an interview to impress the interviewer as well keep a degree of control in the selection process. Finally, you will debrief each interview with your coach so as to improve your presentation in subsequent interviews. This process will build your confidence and enable you to perform at your best.
10. Negotiate the optimum compensation package. Most job seekers leave money on the table. Make sure you get what you’re worth.

Copyright 2009 Mino Sullivan, Career Success Coaching. http://www.careersuccesscoaching.com.
Mino Sullivan, President of Career Success Coaching, works with executives and professionals from around the world to gain clarity around work that will stimulate and fulfill them as well as compensate them well. Once that clarity is gained, clients engage in a 21st Century job search to land a job that’s right for them.