Effective Job Search Skills What Works What to

Effective Job Search Skills What Works, What to Avoid Olaiya Humphrey, PHR Adapted from Mike Buhmann Career Librarian Skokie Public Library

the Down Side of the Web l l Overwhelming with so much information available Websites constantly change Multiple people can easily apply for a position (even if not qualified) Is there a better place to waste time?

Self Evaluation Tools Discovering your aptitudes, skills & desires What types of careers fit your personality l Riley. Guide. com – Self Assessment rileyguide. com/assess. html Provides an overview of online self assessment tools Myers-Briggs Personality Test. Do What You Are

Deciding on a Career Path Career Exploration Sites • America’s Career One. Stop www. acinet. org US Dept of Labor site with detailed information on careers & industries • Illinois Career Resource Network www. ilworkinfo. com/icrn. htm State career exploration site providing information on careers and their outlooks

Finding Jobs Three Major Job Sites 1. Career Builder careerbuilder. com 2. Monster monster. com 3. Hot. Jobs hotjobs. com What is available from these sites? – – Thousands of job listings both locally and from across the country Resume posting in which employers can search for your resume Career advice & information Trying to become one stop shops with all types of information & resources

Finding Jobs Job Listing Tools You may want to start with: • Indeed. com • Simply. Hired. com • Linkup. com • Jobster. com These sites search across multiple job listing sites and employer sites with job listings.

Finding Jobs Job Listings – Local • Craigs. List chicago. craigslist. org Good source for local listings from smaller companies. Cost is low for posting a job ($25 vs. $475 for Monster. com). Also lists piece-meal work/gigs. • Check Association websites For example, library jobs in the area are first listed at the North Suburban Library System NSLS before being listed anywhere else Google the industry name and “association” to find • Check Websites of Employers in region For example, Northwestern University hires hundreds of positions Use the databases Reference. USA or Lexis. Nexis to find companies by region

Networking l l Enlisting multiple people to assist in a job search is better than looking alone Most jobs are not filled through job listings Even jobs that are listed are sometimes filled from within or through recommendations People are more apt to hire someone they know or who has been personally recommended

Networking How to: l l l l Think of every face-to-face encounter as a networking opportunity Take a class Join an association Attend trade shows Attend job fairs in the area Join area career support & networking groups Use online networking tools such as Face. Book & Linked. In

Job Fairs, Networking Groups & Trade Shows tsnn. com www. ides. state. il. us

Networking Tips: l l Keep a business card, a résumé and a promo sheet (order free business cards at Vista. Print. com) Practice a 30 second elevator speech, explaining your situation, skills, and desires Be confident, not desperate or bitter Networking is a give and take, offer help to others and you will be remembered

Online Networking In a Recent Survey: Nearly two-thirds of executives interviewed believe professional networking websites -- like Linked. In – will prove useful in finding job candidates in the next three years

Online Networking Why Do It? : l l Linking with just 10 people can provide you connections to hundreds “Online networking is like traditional networking, but somewhat less intimidating. If someone is on Linked. In, they're usually willing to network. " Online networks help you find mentors and stay up -to-date on industry trends. Many recruiters are focusing on social networking tools to find new candidates.

Linked. In Complete your profile http: //www. linkedin. com/profile/view? id=180222604&trk =nav_responsive_tab_profile

Linked. In Create a catchy headline Write summary in 3 rd person, like an article

Linked. In Connect with people you know • • Import contacts from your email list Find people you went to school with

Linked. In Join industry groups and participate in discussions

Linked. In Search for companies to find information & contacts

Linked. In Submit a question or answer someone else’s to help you develop contacts

Online Networking Tips: l l l Copy relevant information from your resume to your Linked. In profile Put relevant keywords in your profile to help potential employers find you Get recommendations; to an employer these are references in advance Create a Linked. In signature for your email that links directly to your Linked. In profile Don't post anything you wouldn't want an employer to see. Don't stop networking once you have a job. Savvy job seekers continue to cultivate their networks

Social Networking Facebook. com • Informal & fun site for keeping touch with friends • Maintain contact with people you probably would lose touch with • Be careful of information that employers may see

Facebook Check privacy settings so not everything you post can be viewed by an employer

Facebook Provide updates of your job search to keep contacts subtly aware that you’re still job seeking

Social Networking Twitter (twitter. com) • Microblogging service to post short messages to connections • Allows you to connect with people you don’t know but who have a similar interest • Free to register and create a profile

Social Networking Twitter (twitter. com) • Search for groups, companies or key individuals and follow them • Get job search advice by following career experts • Show your expertise by tweeting on a topic or industry and get followers • Respond to other tweets to make connections

Online Networking Professional Networking Sites l l l Linked. In (linkedin. com) Plaxo (plaxo. com) Zoom. Info (zoominfo. com) Social Networking Sites l l l Face. Book (facebook. com) Google Groups (google. com) Twitter (twitter. com)

Resume/Email Tips l Open an email account just for job searching, keep the name professional l Email copies of your resume & cover letter to yourself and save in a folder l Keep a list of bulleted items in a folder to modify resume for specific jobs

Resume/Email Tips Visual. CV Resume visualcv. com • Create an online resume and link to it via your business card or website

Job Hunting on the Web THANK YOU ! Questions ? Comments ?