By Piper C. Reason

April 3, 2006

The Job Search Process…

… according to Tom Jackson, author of Guerilla Tactics in The Job Market, goes something like this: NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO YES!

I prefer to think of it as a roller coaster ride. There are a few 'ups' along the way, they just aren't the big "you're hired" one until you reach the end of the ride. Being prepared for the process, whether you think of it as a roller coaster ride or a long string of rejections, can be less stressful and maybe even a little shorter if you use a well thought-out plan, keep yourself organized, and work to keep a positive attitude.

The Plan

Most everything I read says that the vast majority of jobs are never advertised. Positions are filled before a want ad is placed in the newspapers or posted on a website. Looked at from an employer's perspective, that makes a whole lot of sense. The more quickly a position can be filled, the better. So they look at resumés on file, invite referrals from current employees, and do some networking. That's what you have to do, too.

1. Bring your targeted resumé and individualized cover letter into every organization for which you would like to work. Be one of those resumés already on file.
2. If you know someone who works for one of the organizations you like, reach out! Call that old buddy and make a golf (or bridge or tennis) date. Invite the mother of one of your kids' friends over for coffee. Share your resumé and ask for help. Make sure s/he knows what your skills are and why you would be an asset to his/her organization.
3. Work your network. Talk with everyone you know and ask for leads to another person who knows someone who knows someone who … Well, you get it.
   (Ed note: be sure to read Piper's past column on Networking).

One other thing about having a plan. Just as an organization knows what they need from an employee, you have to know what you can offer the organization. Before you can write a resumé or do any networking, you need to know you! You will know you are ready when you can comfortably describe your career goals and abilities in a 60-second "elevator speech."

Being Organized

Since landing a new job takes the average person three to six months, keeping organized should be pretty high on your list of things to do. You need a way to keep track of (1) the research you do on organizations in which you are interested, (2) the jobs for which you actually apply, and (3) your ever-growing collection of network contacts. Creating a system is pretty simple – keeping up with it is pretty challenging. So make sure you devise a system that you are comfortable with. The goal of your system is to keep track of organization and contact names, addresses, phone numbers, dates, conversation notes, etc.

You can create a form – or just write on pieces of paper – that can be kept in a binder. Or you can use files in a file box or filing cabinet. You might prefer using index cards and a card box. If you're a pretty good typist, maybe a computer system would work. (I've made simple ones for folks using Excel, but there are tons of ways to organize data on a computer!)

Being organized also calls for a well-maintained portfolio (collection of your resumé, references, certificates, transcripts, etc.) in a presentable format (e.g., documents kept in sheet protectors and stored in a professional looking one-inch binder).

Keeping a Positive Attitude

While there's no denying that searching for a job can be scary, intimidating, and sometimes downright depressing, it can also be exciting! After all, at the end of the experience you will be starting a new job. New people to work and play with, new things to learn, new mountains to climb (figuratively speaking, that is). So start off knowing that it is going to take time and prepare for it.

1. Get a support system in place. Identify the friends that will help you celebrate when you land an interview or take you out for a beer when you're feeling gloomy.
2. Use affirmations, imagery, journaling, praying – whatever methods work to help you remember that you are a winner and that all it takes to be successful is to stand up one more time than you fall down.
3. Give yourself a job-search vacation if necessary. Since you're probably looking for a job while you're doing another one, a little time away from this second job might be a good idea. As with your paying job, this one will still be there when you're ready to go back.

Additional resources for help with the job search process:

• Dick Bolles' Job Hunter's Bible (author of What Color is Your Parachute)
• Job Search Magic by Susan B. Whitcomb, JIST Works © 2006
• The Very Quick Job Search by Michael Farr, JIST Publishing © 2004