HOW TO LOOK FOR A JOB

The first step, even before preparing a resume is to
honestly evaluate yourself. List what things you really
liked about your last few jobs.

Name a major achievement in each job. Make a list of your
best skills and your worst weaknesses.

List what you want in a job . . . is security more
important than being creative, is high pressure a negative
or something you enjoy?

What kind of people do you like to work with?

What are your basic requirements as far as family needs,
security, status, free time and so on.

Are you willing to relocate? What are your goals one year
from now, five and ten years from now?

Write out your ideal job description (be realistic, no one
is going to pay you money to lay in a hammock and watch
the sunset).

The first thing that you must know about applying for a
job is that you have just become a salesperson. It doesn't
matter if you are applying for work as a brick layer,
computer consultant, accountant, or janitor. If you are
looking for a job, welcome to the world of sales.

Don't be daunted. Sales is fun, and I'm about to give you
the greatest secret there is when you are trying to sell
someone something. It doesn't matter what it is. A
product, service, idea or even yourself, there is one
fundamental that works better than any other. Are you
ready, it consists of two simple words. They are . . .

The listener's name

The word "you."

Selling yourself may seem like a tough job. But who better
to do it than you? Whether you are looking for a promotion
where you're at now, or if you are seeking new employment,
use the other person's name FREQUENTLY as well as the word
YOU (but not so frequently that it appears forced or
patronizing). Be natural about it. Remember, you must be
confident and you must use the word you and the listener's
name. Always refer to the person as Mr or Ms or Miss So &
So. If you don't know what to call them and they haven't
volunteered, ASK! They'll respect you for it.

Don't be afraid to ask questions like;

What are YOU looking for in an employee?

Lead or preface your answer with "Mr. Interviewer,
you . . ."

For instance . . . Ms. Executive, you are looking for
someone with computer skills. Congratulations, you have
found that person." is much better than . . . "Yes, I know
how to use a computer, in fact, I am blah, blah, blah."

It works!

Also don't be afraid to turn their questions around on
them. For example:

"If you found someone with these computer skills, would
you consider hiring them?"

You'll get great feedback this way.

            BEST DAY TO LOOK FOR WORK

Monday right? Wrong! Monday may be the worst day to look
for work, or interview without an appointment.

You will simply have too much competition on Mondays. Let
the thundering herds battle one another. If you wait until
things settle down a little, you have a much better chance
of making an impression.

If you are offered a choice of when you will be
interviewed, opt for the later day in the week (except
Friday afternoons), and the later time of day.

You should look every day of the week, but if you want to
skip a day, make it Monday. If a job was advertised on
Sunday, that means that the job was probably available the
previous week. If you network and make phone calls and
prospect in your area of interest, you will probably find
the job you want before the rest of the world ever even
hears about it.

The most chaotic days in any office are Monday and Friday,
especially Monday morning and Friday afternoon. Don't be a
fanatic about it but try to avoid interviews on these
days. Also try to avoid being the first person
interviewed. Studies show that they are less likely to get
the job. Now that I've said that, let me put in a big
qualifier. If you are responding to an ad or referral
where there will be a lot of applicants, it can be a great
advantage to get your foot in the door before the company
starts interviewing everyone else.

How? Call the company and see if the person doing the
hiring is in. Just ask if they are in, say thank you and
hang up. Then fly down there and ask to see them. Be
polite and state that you are there to see Mr./Ms.
Interviewer about the job. You will likely be told to
leave a resume or fill out an application and leave. Be
firm and tell the interviewer that you would like to make
an appointment at their earliest convenience. Often as
not, they'll talk to you then and there. If not, make an
appointment (for as soon as possible), and thank him/her
for their time.

When you do get the interview, be at your best. In a
situation like this, being first can be an advantage
because then every resume received, everyone else
interviewed, will be compared to you. If you made a good
enough impression in the beginning, you should at least be
one of the finalists. Go for it! The only thing you have
to lose is your unemployment.

If an ad says to send a resume, I make it a point to
either send it a day later than when I think others will,
or do something else to make it stand out. Express mail is
totally ineffective when writing to a PO box, but return
receipt required will make your envelope stand out. Use
your imagination. Use the Electronic Resume. Almost all
businesses use computers now, by sending your resume on
disk, you will be advertising the fact that you have some
computer experience.

           SOURCES, SOURCES, SOURCES

The single best source for finding new employment is your
friends and colleagues. The next best source is recruiters
and professionals. One of the worst sources is newspaper
ads. Don't discount them however, some companies are
looking for fresh blood and know that an ad will attract.
Be aware however, that as much as 75% of new jobs are
filled before they can be advertised. Your goal is to
network and find those jobs before anyone else.

Make a list of 20 or so personal contacts who will hear of
possible opportunities or offers and spread the word on
your availability.

Networking your friends and colleagues is almost an art
form. You are much better off if you begin asking for
leads and referrals while you are still at your old job.
It then seems like it is a matter of choice (your choice)
and nothing desperate. But this can backfire if not
handled properly. What if your boss hears that you are
soliciting his workers for employment leads? he'll likely
can you on the spot.

When networking, never, never ask for a job. Ask instead
for advice and referrals. If you ask directly for a job,
you place the other person on the spot and make them
uncomfortable. When you ask for leads, advice and
referrals, you get a sympathetic and helpful response.

Don't forget to reverse network. If you have some
information that someone else might use, be sure to call
them and share it. They will be sure and remember you and
work more diligently on your behalf.

When you do get a lead or contact, write the provider a
brief thank you note. Image is important.

Develop a job plan similar to what follows.

Map out a campaign! Plan your days one week ahead of time
and go for it.

Use the telephone. It is too easy to get trapped into just
mailing out some resumes and applications and sit around
waiting for the phone to ring. You should spend about 50%
of your time making calls. Networking, talking to
companies etc.

Research at least 40 companies in your chosen field. Take
notes. Fill a notebook or make a database on your PC. You
can find great leads at your local library by researching
directories of professional organizations, annual reports,
trade journals and clipping files.

Use the Yellow Pages! Not only is it free, but virtually
every organization is listed. Go through each and every
heading in the index and ask yourself if this company
could use someone with your skills. Make a list of these
companies and number them in order of your interest. 1 for
the companies you are most interested in, 4 for those
companies you are only somewhat interested in. Then start
contacting the "4's." You have nothing to lose and it will
be great practice.

Write and send letters to key executives and people that
your research or contacts have turned up. Do not EVER
contact or send resumes etc., to the personnel department.
For smaller companies ask for the manager, larger
companies ask for the person in charge of the department
or area you are interested in.

Follow up with a phone call within a week and request an
interview to get acquainted. Don't do any actual job
solicitation at this point, make it a real get acquainted
interview. Even if they have no openings now, you never
know what tomorrow may bring. And they may be useful for
referrals. A get acquainted interview with ABC company may
lead to a job with XYZ company. Your goal should be at
least one interview a day.

If they tell you that they are not hiring now, be
persistent. State that you would like to come in and
discuss the possibility of future openings. If they then
tell you that they don't plan on hiring in the near
future, tell them that you are interested in that field
and that you would just like to come in and talk about
ideas on getting into the field. Be complimentary and
state that you appreciate and would like to benefit from
their knowledge. Be considerate of their time of course,
but don't be afraid to be aggressive.

Once you get in the door, ask for a referral. When you
call them, be sure and mention that you were referred by
whoever referred you.

Don't get discouraged if something doesn't pop right away.
Maintain a cheerful disposition and always act as if you
are really interviewing for a job. Your attitude is VERY
IMPORTANT.

Follow up these interviews with phone calls and perhaps a
note thanking them for their time. If possible add
something that was not discussed at the interview. Your
goal is to not be forgotten. Keep your name on their minds.

Don't make the mistake of being curt or even abusive after
calling the same firm over and over and not getting a
response. Be pleasantly persistent. When you do reach
someone, whether it is a person within the firm or a
networking contact, always ask if this is a good time to
chat. If it isn't, ask when would be a better time and
call back then.

Spend the rest of your time on classified ads and
employment services or recruiting firms. When answering a
classified ad, be sure and explain why you qualify for the
job. Tailor your cover letter and your resume to the ad's
key qualifications.

Document everything! Keep careful records of what you do
and most importantly everyone you speak and write to. You
never know when you might find yourself speaking to
someone again, you want to be able to remember what was
said etc. You will also find that by following this plan
that you will soon be getting so many interviews that it
will be hard to keep track of them. Make up a notebook and
classify each and every contact.

Information, information, information is the most powerful
tool out there for the active job seeker. You might be
surprised where you find it.

With that in mind, remember to keep the ultimate job
seekers attitude. Judge no one, treat everyone as if they
can help you and come across with warmth, courtesy and
above all, a positive outlook and energy. As you sow,
etc,. is true and then some when job hunting. You can only
get back what you are willing to put into it.

Maintain your physical self. You can't change a first
impression. Take advantage of your extra time to work out
more or to walk. Don't dress like a slob, even when
networking with friends. Keep your hair nice, don't, for
crying out loud, drink too much or get to feeling sorry
for yourself. Attitude is everything here. This is an
opportunity, not a crisis. Smile dammit! And don't expect
anyone else to have faith in you if you can't have faith
in yourself.

We're talking numbers here. If you broadcast your message
loud enough and far enough, the job you want will happen.
Keep at it. The average job hunter only goes on two
interviews per week. You are not an average job hunter.
Your goal is two interviews PER DAY. The more interviews
you get, the more likely you are to get an offer. The
person who spends more time looking for work will get a
job faster. That simple.

           WHY YOU MIGHT NOT GET HIRED

Too many jobs. This can make employers suspicious if the
job changes took place without clear potential for
advancement. Although this has been relaxed in recent
years (lots and lots of corporate layoffs), it is still a
concern. Be prepared to deal with this if necessary.

Unwilling to relocate.

Personality conflicts.

Out of realm salary requirements.

Not enough background in field.

Poor record of past employment.

Bad interview (appearing bored, uninterested or being
unresponsive. Not being prepared.).

If negotiations are handled improperly.

Little or no growth potential.

Long, unexplained period of unemployment.

Lacking in supervisory skills.

                 RELOCATING

There can be any number of reasons for wanting to
relocate. If you have decided that is what you want to do,
here are some hints to make it easier.

** Before moving to a new state, find out exactly what the
tax differences are. Check out State, local, personal and
gasoline taxes. See the World Almanac at your local
library.

** Call a couple of real estate agents in the area you
want to move to and get on their mailing list. Subscribe
to the Sunday edition of the local newspaper. These will
tell you about housing costs in the area you want to
relocate to.

** You may also want to find out about auto registration,
business licenses etc. Write to the Chamber of Commerce
and ask specific questions.

            PROSPECTING IN A NEW CITY

Set up a mail drop in the city you want to relocate to.
Usually you can find these with telephone answering
services in the area, sometimes mailbox providers. Give
them instructions to forward your mail to your current
address.

This should greatly improve your response rate to letters,
resumes and inquiries.

Once you get some response, try to schedule your
interviews within a few days of each other to help cut
down on expenses and to make it easier to get a tax
deduction.

Don't lie about where you live now. Most employers will be
impressed if you are gung-ho and willing to relocate
yourself. They will usually see you as a go-getter. DO NOT
ask your prospective employer to pay your expenses.
Ultimately, if you are qualified for the job and willing
to make your own move, they will not see you as a
disadvantage over local considerations. Indeed, it is
entirely possible that the fact that you were willing to
travel and meet with them may incur some small sense of
obligation on their part. Don't count on this of course,
but it might happen.


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