Know What You Want:
Know what you want, specifically, in terms of job titles, industries, locations, work environments, and salary. Know the difference between what you WANT and what you NEED; know your deal-breakers. By knowing what you want, you can focus your search efforts. Better focus means clearer targets. This allows you to better manage your search.
Know Who Hires:
Make a list. At the top of your list, indicate one desired job title upon which to focus. Your list should be ever-evolving and contain the name of every company in your area that hires for the job title in question that also fits as least one more variable such as: industry, miles from home, accessible by bus line, etc. Do your homework on each of these companies. Then make contact, network, send targeted resumes and cover letters, request brief informational interviews – you have many avenues to pursue. Once you exhaust your list, widen your search circle. Repeat. Continue to follow up with all companies on your list.
It’s Your Search!
Know what you want, and be specific. Generic, vague resumes will not serve you well because prospective employers and recruiters will not play career coach on your behalf.
Your next job is likely to be found because of WHO you know more than WHAT you know.
Do not apply generically for currently open positions like everybody else is doing. Network and do your homework on the position and the company first. Then send a highly targeted resume and cover letter based upon what you learn.
Sending out 10-20 highly targeted resumes and cover letters each week is far more effective than blasting out 100 generic resumes.
Lisa has 14 years of résumé coaching experience.
She currently directs day-to-day operations and programming of a career center at a two-year technical college. From 2006-2008, she served as State Chair of a national organization to support women leaders in higher education. She remains on the Board. Previously, she served as HR Director of a legal services firm and specialized in worker’s compensation issues. From 1996-1998, she worked as a graduate assistant in the career services office of a large four-year college.
Need More Advice?
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