Job Hunting Strategies

Career Advice | Job Search | Networking | Targeting Small Companies | Career Fairs

Career Advice

Monster® Career Advice - Monster has a vast amount of information that covers resumes, interviewing, salary information, diversity, relocation, and articles on how to search for a job.

careerbuilder.com™ Career Advice - Careerbuilder offers a broad selection of informative and How-to links covering resume writing, interviewing, job and career change, education, and expert advice.

Job Search

Monster® Job Search - After you set up a Monster account, you can post your resume and apply online for jobs. Also has links for company research and networking.

TrueCareers® - In addition to career resources, TrueCareers offers a job search, resume post, and listing of companies hiring.

Wetfeet® - This site focuses on strategies to assist your job search and help you make smarter career choices.

MSN® Careers - Uses careerbuilders job search engine. You'll also find links to assessment testing, MSN Careers newsletter sign-up, and other career tools and resources

FlipDog.com™ - Offers one of the largest job collections on the internet. A complete portal of job search tools and information.

IMDiversity.com - One-Stop Career and Self-Development Site Devoted to Serving the Cultural and Career-Related Needs of all Minorities.

Dice™ - The leading online provider of online recruiting services for technology professionals.

Networking

Most of the best jobs at organizations are never advertised and are filled by people they know or one's recommended by employees. Many of us feel awkward or embarrassed to contact people and ask for help. You need to remember:

• Most people like helping others;
• Many people have been in your shoes and remember how hard it was; and
• Some people will have a job opening, or know of one, and feel that fate brought you to them!

First start by making a list of everyone you know. Don't just limit it to people who do the work you do. They may not know of a job for you, but they may know someone who has a job lead, occupational information or specific employer contacts. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Determine the kind of information that you need
• Practice making calls to people you don't know so you will be successful
• Smile when you talk on the phone
• You might ask for a brief meeting - not a job interview - a cup of coffee may give you a job lead
• Have plenty of resumes with you at all times!

Always send a thank you note to those you talk to even if the information doesn't lead to anything. A thank you note will keep the door open for more information.

Tip: Membership directories can be wonderful tools. Any professional association, alumni associations, church directories or social groups can add depth to your networking contacts. To successfully use this strategy, prepare your own telephone script, outlining the following points:

• Identify yourself.
• State your qualifications and job objective.
• Ask for possible leads.

You may be surprised at the number of unlisted positions identified!

• Support Network Checklist (.doc)

Targeting Small Companies

What is a small company and are they a good target?

• Companies with less than 100 employees
• Constitute 39% of America's GNP
• Create 2 out of every 3 jobs and employ one-half of the labor force

How do you identify a "good" small company?

• Determine your ideal employer - size, duties, skills needed & type of people you want to work with
• Research individual organizations, look at current literature, publications, and ask about company finances and management

When targeting small companies you are looking at a completely different organizational style and culture.

Advantages

• May have no management layers
• Usually less formal in rules and policies
• Employees are given more responsibility - more job enhancement
• Positions are usually found through informal or personal contacts

Disadvantages

• Small businesses are more vulnerable to market forces
• Employees need to get along with everyone
• Successes and failures are more visible

What do small companies look for?

• Self-motivated generalist with a variety of skills
• Ability to get things done with a minimum amount of supervision
• Entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to take risks
• Excellent technical skills

How to interview with small companies:

• You will probably be interviewing with the owner who is probably taking time away from very important concerns
• The company represents an enormous personal/financial investment to this person - they are going to talk about their company as a parent would talk about their child
• You may talk to every employee - as harmony in a small company is very important
• You will need to convince the interviewer you know important skills or can learn them without supervision - limited training
• Be flexible - you may have to perform various tasks or roles

Career Fairs

Here are some websites that can help you locate career fairs in your area:

National career website lists career fairs

University of Washington - Bothell Branch offers a career fair in the fall and spring

The Puget Sound Employment Guide hosts career fairs in the Seattle area

NEW!  For a handout on how to work a career fair to your best advantage, download our Career Fair handout.