Developing Job Search Strategies

Whether you're searching for that dream job, changing careers/location or looking for that first job you must start with a strategic plan. The more preparation you do here, the better your chances of getting that interview. Below is a list of steps to take before sending out that resume:

• You must first know yourself. What are your strengths and how do these strengths translate to the career you seek. In other words, be sure your background and experience is a match for the position(s) you wish to apply for. The internet has made it too easy to respond to openings and as a result you end up wasting your time as well as the HR person responsible for sifting through resumes when you're not qualified for the position. You could presumably hurt your chances for a position you're actually qualified for, if you've applied previously to positions you're not, at that company.

In addition to knowing your strengths, you should also know your weaknesses. What are you doing to turn these into strengths or address improving these? Interviewers will usually ask the strength and weakness questions so you need to know that well in advance to not only answer the question but turn both strengths and weaknesses into positives when given the chance.

What type of career or position are you seeking? Do you have a specific position within an industry or profession in mind? If so, learn as much as you can about the profession and position within that profession. If you're not going to be happy or at the very least satisfied in that position or profession, find a different field. Assuming you've narrowed the field how do you go about finding what positions are available?

• There are multiple sources on the internet to assist you in a job search. Typically you can search for open positions on the major job boards or on vertical niche sites such as the one you're on now. These sites will tell you what's currently available in the job market. You can also go directly to an employer's web site if you know that's the company you'd like to work for. But what if you're not ready to make a move? Or, you don't see a position there that you're interested in but do have interest in the field or a particular company?

About 70-75% of the positions filled today are a result of networking. It's the most effective means of finding a position. How do you go about networking?

• Talk to friends, family, colleagues to see what connections they have to others that might be able to assist you. These are your most effective sources because they know you and can make a recommendation to others based on that knowledge.
• Consider joining groups that are connected to your field to expand your professional contacts and open up other networking opportunities.
• Join social or business networking sites such as linked in. These are particularly effective in helping you find people within the company you seek employment in. If you can develop these contacts, often times they can tell you not only about unadvertised positions but also some information about the company that makes it a great place to work, or one that you may want to avoid.
• Like a job search, networking is a planned process. You want to let people know you're ready for hire and also expand your knowledge of companies and the industry in general. It also helps to develop contacts that you can utilize to answer questions or seek advice from in addition to finding those unadvertised positions.
• You've decided on the profession and position you're ultimately seeking so now it's time to take the next step with resume preparation. However, before you take that step, make sure you have considered what information might be out there on the internet about you. Do you post on Facebook, MySpace or another social networking site? If so, if the employer were to visit your page, is the content there something you'd want them to see? If you've answered no to that question, make the appropriate changes prior to any job applications.