Job Search Tips

Welcome to the Illinois workNet Center Employment Power Workshop Job Search Techniques (Including Networking) www.worknetncc.com Ten Steps to Find A New Job           Focus your job search Build your brand Connect with your contacts Use job search tools Create a list of companies Find job listings Target your cover letter and résumé Ace the interview Follow-up Accept (or Decline) a job offer Company Sources of Hires 1. Company Web Sites 28% 2. Referrals 22% 3. Search Firms 10% 4. Campus Recruiting 8% 5. Temp Agencies 6% 6. Niche Job Boards 6% 7. Social Networking Web Sites 5% 8. Job Fairs 5% 9. Job Boards 4% 10 .Newspapers 3% 11. Others 3% Job Seeker Sources of Jobs A national employment service surveyed nearly 300 job seekers in 2008 to learn how they found out about their next career opportunity:  43% through using the Internet  25% through online published job openings  13% through posting their résumé  5% through e-mail & online networking Where to Find Job Opportunities  Job boards  Search engines  Job fairs  Government agencies  Friends  Relatives  Career centers  College placement  Company web sites  Church groups  Networking groups  Posting your résumé on the web centers  Chamber networking events Where to Find Job Opportunities  Alumni meetings  Employment centers  In-store applications  Recruiters  Staffing agencies  Business  Internet job board  Trade shows  Union halls  Business Expos  Newspapers  Magazines associations  Signs Job Search Techniques Search Engines Job Fairs Networking Cold Calling Social Networking Sites Search Engines www.Monster.com www.Indeed.com www.SearchJobs.com www.CareerBuilder.com www.USA.gov www.Oodle.com www.Beyond.com www.JuJu.com //IllinoisworkNet.com //AbilityLinks.org //ChicagoDiversity.com //JobsinChicago.com www.Dice.com www.LatPro.com www.NationJob.com //LatinosForHire.com www.SnagAJob.com www.ChicagoJobs.com www.CraigsList.com www.LinkUp.com www.HotJobs.Yahoo.com www.Job.com www.SimplyHired.com www.LinkedIn.com www.JobFox.com www.TheJobPlanet.com www.MetroChicagoJobs.com www.DiversityJobs.com Search Engines  www.worknetncc.com - view presentations  www.illinoisworknet.com  www.chicagojobresource.com -source for a broad range of job seeker information, including search engines.  Set up an agent for each search engine & for each company you want to automatically receive future job openings Sources of Company Information  Libraries  Reference Materials (e.g., Crain‟s 2008 Book of List)  Databases (i.e., Reference USA & Dunn & Bradstreet)  Online Services  Hoover‟s and Crain‟s Chicago Business  Company Web Sites  Newspapers, Periodicals, Journals, etc.  Networking  IllinoisworkNet.com Job Fairs, Career Expos and More  Give you an opportunity to meet with employers that you might not be able to access any other way. May offer other activities for job seekers like networking programs, résumé reviews and workshops. Be ready to promote yourself to a prospective employer. Have your pitch or „elevator speech‟ prepared. Check out companies – many job fair and career expo sponsors list participating companies at their web site. Be prepared to impress company representatives with what you know about their organization.    Job Fairs, Career Expos and More Dress for success Practice a pitch Check out companies Attend a workshop Carry a portfolio Bring résumés/ cards Arrive early Network Show initiative Ask questions Take notes Be enthusiastic Collect business cards Say „Thank you‟ Job Fairs, Career Expos and More Sites for Chicago fairs, trades shows, business expos and conferences: www.worknetncc.com (click on Job Fairs at toolbar) www.chicagojobresources.com www.chicagotraveler.com/chicago-conventionstrade-shows-conventions.htm www.chicagojobtalk.org www.eventseye.com/fairs/trade-shows-chicago-il Networking What is it? Networking is the opportunity to make connections, to build relationships, help others to succeed, and help yourself target and land the right job. Networking can serve as a valuable strategy for getting a lead on a job, gathering intelligence, or catching the special attention of a company recruiter. Networking accounts for 70% of employment opportunities! Networking Networking as a strategy Build your network  Make a list of people who you believe can either help you directly or lead to someone else, or to more information.  Prioritize your list   Give the highest priority to those who are most likely to be able to help you achieve your employment goals. Sort your list by columns A - For people who are likely able to help you directly  B - For people you think might be able to help you directly  C - For people who can help you indirectly   Include a column for contact information and outcomes  Include a column to track the outcomes (e.g., names of other contacts, company information, coffee meetings, etc.) Networking Networking as a strategy How and Where: Networking Groups Job Clubs Yahoo Groups Church Groups Job Fairs Business Expos Trade Shows Union Halls Chamber of In Person Alumni Meetings Social Networking Commerce Meetings Email Volunteer Sites Telephone Networking Group & Job Clubs Locate information at:  www.worknetncc.com  www.chicagojobresource.com  www.careervision.org/Events  www.jobsearchchicago.net  www.techvenue/com/USMidwest/ (Leads to calendar of Northern IL & Chicago Job Clubs, Networking & Support Groups) Sources to see / order networking or business cards or templates:  www.vistaprint.com  www.avery.com  www.plumgroveprinters.com Plum Grove Printers, 2160 Stonington Ave, Hoffman Estates, IL 60669 Phone -- (847)882-4020 Networking What’s an “Elevator Speech”  It‟s your personal commercial, self introduction or summary of what you‟ve done and what you‟re looking to do – it‟s your “Me in 30, 60 or 90 seconds”  The length depends on the setting or event. It can be as simple as building a personal commercial that addresses:    What you have done. What you are looking to do. How the listener can help you. Who do you know that I can talk to ? – OR – You can help me by….(Don‟t ask – Do you know who is hiring?) Networking Example - Short Elevator Speech Hello, my name is John Smith. I'm a communications professional with 10 years‟ experience as a manager in corporate communications. I‟m looking for a similar job in public relations or marketing. You can help me by sharing the name of a contact in XYZ, Inc. OR end it this way – My target companies are ABC, Corp. and XYZ, Inc. Who do you know in these companies that I can talk to? Networking What’s an “Elevator Speech”? A longer personal commercial (e.g., 60 to 90 seconds) could also include:  Your brand  Where you most recently worked (i.e., company name, position)  Where I did (key duties)…..  Something that you‟re really proud of (state an accomplishment)  I find that wherever I have worked, I bring the xyz strengths to the organization. (Name & define the strengths used in your work experience.)  Your objective (e.g., I‟m seeking a position where I can…) Networking Example - Longer Elevator Speech Hello, my name is John Smith. I was a CFO most recently at XYZ, Inc. I am broadly experienced in manufacturing service, supply chain and service industries. I have a demonstrated record of significant contributions in strategic and operational planning, contract negotiations, capital management, financial systems and acquisition analysis. Additionally, I am effective at building and leading highly motivated teams that improve operating efficiency, profitability and cash flow. I am looking for a similar challenging position in a mid-size company in this area. My target companies are ABC Corp and WXY Company. You can help me with contacts in these organizations. Networking Information Interviewing  The primary purpose is to gather information about a career and/or field, and obtain job search advice from a professional with firsthand knowledge.  It will assist you in developing your network of contacts. You should not ask for a job. Make it clear that you have no job expectations and are seeking information only, from them or others they may know in the field. In addition to developing your network, the professional may remember you when a position becomes available – either with his or her company or another one.  Send a thank you note or letter. Email is acceptable, as is one typed on quality paper or neatly handwritten on a conservatively - designed note card. Include your address and phone number. Networking Networking Goals Set a networking goal for Let the person know that the week Meet in person whenever you value their help and professional opinion Say “Thank You” possible Attend a job support group, Ask the person - How can professional organization, etc. Ask if you can use their name as I help you? Keep records of outcomes a referral Networking 7 Rules of Networking  Know why you are contacting a person and how he or she can       help you. Don‟t limit yourself by asking only about employment; ask for information and ideas as well. Make a powerful first impression. Learn something from every contact. Get two referrals from every contact. Contact every new referral you receive. Send a „thank you‟ note to every person you contact. Keep an accurate list of follow-up activities. Return calls and send correspondence, résumés, or other information as promised. Cold Calling  Cold calling is one of the best methods to tap into the “hidden job market”. The hidden job market covers 60-80% of jobs. advertised, through cold calling or networking.  Even jobs that are usually advertised can be filled before being  Cold calling produces leads that result in job offers because personal connections are established.  Cold calling jump-starts a successful search by establishing a relationship between you and a real live employer representative. You don't have to wait for the employer to call back in response to your résumé or inquiry; you skip right to the first and critically necessary step -- speaking directly with a hiring manager. Cold Calling Script for Making Cold Calls - Basic Principles  Have an objective for the call. You may be seeking information, trying to schedule a meeting or presenting your qualifications to a potential employer.  Know the name of the person to whom you wish to speak. If you don't know the person's name, then obtaining it becomes your first objective.  Outline in writing what you want to say. Don't read your script. Your presentation should be natural.  The script will depend on the goal of the call and whether you know the person you're calling. A good script should include the following:     Introduction--Tell the person who you are. Lead statement--Make a quick statement designed to get the person's attention. Body--State your purpose for the call. Close--Accomplish your goal, ask for information, schedule the meeting, etc. Social Networking Sites LinkedIn  A complete profile increases your chances of being contacted by prospective employers and recruiters. Your Profile can include information on your skills and experience. Connections can help with your job search.  Find someone who is employed at the company. Social Networking Sites LinkedIn  Search by company name, individuals or by occupation.  Be willing to help your connections when they need your advice and referrals.   Use introductions to connect to hiring managers.  Join specialty and professional groups. Social Networking Sites Facebook  Decide whether to keep Facebook social or expand it.  Post content relevant to your job search or career.  Limit the photos you post. Wrap-Up  Looking for a job will be the hardest job you have ever had.  Be willing to step out of the box and do different things.  Have a plan. Keep track of your job search activity.     Where you sent résumés. Where you applied for jobs and the outcome. Track your networking contacts – how they helped you. Set goals. Wrap-Up Remember: The 5-4-3-2-1 Rule is a simple guideline for setting weekly goals and tracking your progress. 5 - Quality Job Applications 4 - Networking Events 3 - One-On-One Meetings 2 - Self Improvement Activities 1 - Interview Wrap-Up “Job hunting is a work project, just like fixing a leaky sink, planning a wedding reception or building a house. If you have done the project many times, it‟s easy to manage. But if you don‟t do it often, like planning a wedding reception or job hunting, you need a Project Plan so you can work smart and get it done right.” Orville Pierson, “Unwritten Rules of the Highly Effective Job Search” Any Questions? Illinois workNet and its dedicated team of volunteers hope that these workshop presentations have been helpful to you and will bring you the rewarding outcome you desire. In addition to offering employment workshops at the Illinois workNet Center in Arlington Heights every other Wednesday, our team also offers them at many local libraries & community centers throughout the month. Please forward your comments and suggestions to mfaheem@worknetncc.com