There are millions of people looking for jobs these days. The market is tough and you have to be at the top of your job search game to be successful. Yet too many job seekers are not prepared; they have not done what they need to do in order to compete.
To know where rank in your job search skills, answer True or False to each of the following statements. Then total the number of True statements and compare it to the chart to see how you are doing on your job search.
Following the statements are links to articles that address many of these areas. If you ranked lower than you had hoped or expected, you will want to read the articles related to that area and make changes to improve your search.
T/F Statement
Step 1 - Attitude
1. I have processed the loss and harbor no negative feelings about my prior companies or bosses.
2. I am excited about my future prospects.
3. I have no life issues (foreclosure, bankruptcy, etc.) or I have sought assistance / advice about them.
Step 2 - Aptitude
1. I have inventoried my prior accomplishments in STAR format and have at least 25 accomplishments.
2. I have at least 50 accomplishments documented in STAR format.
3. I have reviewed my prior companies, bosses, positions, and identified trends of what I like and dislike so I can make an informed decision about my next job and company.
4. I have identified my top 5 strengths (Strength Finder 2.0) and documented a STAR for each.
5. I have rated my abilities and documented STARs for each of my top abilities.
6. I have taken training since I have been on the job market or grown my skills in a volunteer capacity or through contract work.
Step 3 - Altitude
1. I have identified and can clearly communicate the industry and position I am pursuing.
2. I have identified 5-15 companies I am actively targeting.
3. I have defined the geographic area I would consider, the minimum salary I can afford to take, and the salary I would like to earn.
Marketing Materials
1. I have a 30 second elevator pitch, which I have practiced, and it does not include any reference to the past (example “I used to…” or “I worked for…”) and I find opportunities to share it with others.
2. I have a resume that sells my skills in the section “above the fold”.
3. In my resume, I use bullets for my accomplishments and not for parts of the job description.
4. My resume is not my most used piece of marketing material. My elevator pitch, business cards, and marketing plan are.
5. My resume does not begin with an objective about what I want.
6. My resume does not have the words “references available upon request” (or equivalent) on it and I know not to add a picture unless I am applying for a job before the camera (modeling, newscaster).
7. I have business / networking cards that contain my name, the title of the position I seek, and my contact information. The back of the card has white space where the recipient can jot notes.
8. I carry a stock of my networking cards with me at all times and give them to my new contacts and I ask them for their cards.
9. I have developed a one page marketing plan that defines what I am looking for (title and target company). I give copies of my one page marketing plan to people in my network so they have in writing what I am looking for and know to introduce me to anyone they know or meet who works in my target companies.
10. I have a profile on Linked In with my picture, at least 50 connections, and 3 recommendations.
11. I use the T cover letter format that visually walks the reader through why I am the perfect candidate.
Step 4 - Search
1. I participate in job networking groups on a regular basis.
2. I actively participate in industry or special interest networking groups on a weekly basis.
3. I spend 70%+ of my time each week at networking meetings or following up with contacts I have met.
Step 5 - Sort
1. I have practiced an interview and received feedback from a reliable source.
2. I know of and use other places to research the company before the interview other than just the company’s web site.
3. I have familiarized myself with other interview do’s and don’ts.
4. I know to develop questions to ask during the interview about the company, the industry, the boss, the position, and economic impacts to the organization so I can determine if this is the right place for me.
Step 6 - Select
1. I compare the company offer to my requirements.
2. I will not take a job if it is not a fit for me.
Once Employed
1. I know that the reality of the new job market is that my next job is not my last.
2. I place a high priority on continuing education that increases my marketability even if I have to pay for that training myself.
3. I continue to network in the company on a regular basis and within the industry at least once a quarter.
4. I continue to maintain my accomplishment list, the list of training I have taken and skills I have developed.
Score
28 – 36
It appears you are doing many if not most things correctly in your job search. You may want to read up on the other areas to see if you can make even more improvements.
19 – 27
You are doing many things correctly although there is definite room for improvement. By implementing ideas from this checklist, you can ace the job search and land your next job.
10 - 18
Although you are doing some parts of the job search correctly, there are many important aspects of the search you need to add.
0 – 9
The job market changed. You will want to and need to change your approach to the job search.
For more information about the various topics and steps mentioned above, check out the following articles. Some of the articles contain the similar information but may be presented in a different way that resonates for different people in different circumstances.
Step 1 - Attitude
Good News! The good news is that there are millions of available jobs out there.
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/04/good-news-good-news-is-that-there-are.html
What May be Keeping You Unemployed
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-may-be-keeping-you-unemployed.html
The Truth You Need to Know but May Not Want to Hear
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html
Truths About the New Job Market
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/09/truths-about-new-job-market.html
When You Can’t Find Something – You Change Your Perspective: Try it With Your Job Search Too
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/09/when-you-cant-find-something-you-change.html
There is no Shame in being Unemployed
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/10/there-is-no-shame-in-being-unemployed.html
The 4 Killer Job Search Mistakes – Part 1
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/03/4-killer-job-search-mistakes-part-1.html
The Phone Number All Job Seekers Should Know
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/01/phone-number-all-job-seekers-should.html
How to Stay Positive in a Job Search
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-stay-positive-in-job-search.html
If You Hit a Wall in Your Job Search
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/03/if-you-hit-wall-in-your-job-search.html
The Other Skills That Will Help You Get the Job: Part 1 of 4- Active Listening
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/12/other-skills-that-will-help-you-get-job.html
The Other Skills That Will Help You Get the Job: Part 2 of 4 - Body Language
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/12/other-skills-that-will-help-you-get-job_11.html
The Other Skills That Will Help You Get the Job: Part 3 of 4 – Accepting Change
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/12/other-skills-that-will-help-you-get-job_16.html
The Other Skills That Will Help You Get the Job: Part 4 of 4 – Good Attitude
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/01/other-skills-that-will-help-you-get-job.html
________________________________________
Step 2 - Aptitude
Tip 2 - You Have to Know You to Sell You
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/04/tip-2-you-have-to-know-you-to-sell-you.html
Identifying Your Competitive Advantages
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/11/identifying-your-competitive-advantages.html
The Power of Your STAR Statements
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/06/power-of-your-star-statements.html
Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job – Step 2
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/04/take-next-important-step-to-landing.html
The 4 Killer Job Search Mistakes – Mistake # 2
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/03/4-killer-job-search-mistakes-mistake-2.html
________________________________________
Step 3 - Altitude
Mandatory Requirements are Not Always Mandatory
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html
The Underutilized Job Search Tool: The Informational Interview (Two part series)
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/06/power-of-your-star-statements.html
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/06/underutilized-job-search-tool_18.html
If you are Transitioning Industries or Careers
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/07/if-you-are-transitioning-industries-or.html
Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job – Step 3
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/04/take-next-important-step-to-landing_18.html
________________________________________
Marketing Materials
The Most Powerful Cover Letter
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/03/most-powerful-cover-letter.html
Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job – Your Marketing Materials
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/04/take-next-important-step-to-landing_25.html
Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job –Your Marketing Materials (Part 2)
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/05/take-next-important-step-to-landing.html
Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job –Your Marketing Materials (Part 3)
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html
Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job –Your Marketing Materials (Part 4)
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html
What Document is as Valuable to a Job Seeker as a Great Resume? (The Marketing Plan)
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-document-is-as-valuable-to-job.html
Another Item in a Successful Job Seeker’s Marketing Materials
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html
Resume Tune Up
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/07/resume-tune-up.html
________________________________________
Step 4 - Search
Wash That Gray Right Out of Your Search: Tips for the More Experienced (Older) Job Seeker
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html
Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job –Step 4: The Search
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/07/take-next-important-step-to-landing.html
The 4 Killer Job Search Mistakes – Mistake #3
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/03/4-killer-job-search-mistakes-mistake-3.html
How to Network if You are Not Good at It
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-network-if-you-are-not-good-at.html
________________________________________
Step 5 - Sort
The 4 P’s of a Successful Interview (Four part series)
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/10/4-ps-of-successful-interview-part-1-of.html
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/10/4-ps-of-successful-interview-part-2-of.html
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/10/4-ps-of-successful-interview-part-3-of.html
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/10/4-ps-of-successful-interview-part-4-of.html
Handling the Salary Discussion
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html
Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job –Step 5: Sort – The Interview
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/08/take-next-important-step-to-landing.html
The Phone Interview Checklist
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/02/phone-interview-checklist.html
How Will You Answer the Interviewer’s Question: What Else Have You Done Since You Left Your Last Job?
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-will-you-answer-interviewers.html
________________________________________
Step 6 - Select
Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job – Step 6: Select the Right Job
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/09/take-next-important-step-to-landing.html
________________________________________
Once Employed
Job Seekers: Action Items Once You are Employed
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/08/job-seekers-action-items-once-you-are.html
The 4 Killer Job Search Mistakes – Mistake # 4 http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/03/4-killer-job-search-mistakes-mistake-4.html
Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job – Action Items to Take While Working to Make the Next Transition Easier and Faster
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/09/take-next-important-step-to-landing_19.html
What Employed People Need to Know
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/02/what-employed-people-need-to-know.html
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