reboot your job search in 2008

Reboot Your Job Reboot Your Job Search in 2008Search in 2008

By Todd NilsonBy Todd Nilson

tnilson@sprinc.comtnilson@sprinc.com

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Looking for a job?Looking for a job?

In IT especially, job changes In IT especially, job changes are a fact of lifeare a fact of life

Average number of job changes Average number of job changes between 18 and 38?between 18 and 38?

Average career changes?Average career changes? Average total job changes?Average total job changes?

Solution:Solution:The right The right attitude, attitude, strategy, strategy, and tools and tools can help can help you to you to

reboot or reboot or upgrade upgrade your job your job search.search.

AttitudeAttitude

StrategyStrategy

ToolsTools

Taking the first job available Taking the first job available for fear of being unemployedfor fear of being unemployed

Taking a Taking a job simply job simply because it because it appears to appears to be a step be a step forward in forward in terms of terms of title or title or salarysalary

Taking a Taking a job just for job just for the sake of the sake of

getting getting into a new into a new

work work situationsituation

Rejections are part of the job Rejections are part of the job search process. They are search process. They are

stepping stones to success.stepping stones to success.

Recognize that a recruiter or Recognize that a recruiter or hiring manager not calling you hiring manager not calling you

back is back is notnot necessarily a necessarily a rejection.rejection.

Find a support network to help Find a support network to help you keep rejections in proper you keep rejections in proper

perspective.perspective. FamilyFamily FriendsFriends RecruitersRecruiters Career CoachesCareer Coaches Outplacement servicesOutplacement services A personal “advisory board”A personal “advisory board” Job networking groups like the TLAJob networking groups like the TLA

Don’t hesitate to take some Don’t hesitate to take some “wallowing” time, but set a time “wallowing” time, but set a time

limit on it!limit on it!

Reward yourself for goals Reward yourself for goals met…met…

““Go to work” each day for the job Go to work” each day for the job searchsearch

Set times for specific job search Set times for specific job search taskstasks

Planning a search strategy will Planning a search strategy will make your search less make your search less

stressful.stressful.

Treat your search more like a Treat your search more like a long distance race than a long distance race than a

sprint, even if it does end up sprint, even if it does end up being a shorter journey than being a shorter journey than

expected.expected.

Plan your finances wisely, Plan your finances wisely, revamping them to revamping them to

accommodate a long search.accommodate a long search.

Sending your resume and Sending your resume and cover letter everywhere gets cover letter everywhere gets

you nowhere fast.you nowhere fast.

An evenly paced search should An evenly paced search should prevent you from running out prevent you from running out of steam again anytime soon.of steam again anytime soon.

A consistent work weekA consistent work week Defined tasksDefined tasks Planned downtimePlanned downtime

Know your skills & experience.Know your skills & experience.Articulate succinctly.Articulate succinctly.

Identify your targets, decide Identify your targets, decide how to approach them, and how to approach them, and

act!act!

OBSERVE ORIENT

ACT DECIDE

Rule of ThirdsRule of Thirds

Jobs that are probably out of your Jobs that are probably out of your leagueleague

Jobs that are a perfect fitJobs that are a perfect fit Jobs that you may or may not fit, but Jobs that you may or may not fit, but

which look like funwhich look like fun

Source: http://www.TheJobBored.com

Research a Research a finitefinite number of number of companies, recruiters, and jobs companies, recruiters, and jobs

instead of taking a “carpet instead of taking a “carpet bombing” approach.bombing” approach.

A plethora of new (free) tools A plethora of new (free) tools can help you re-engage your can help you re-engage your

search.search.

Resume and portfolio Resume and portfolio tools…tools…

Emurse.com will help you create Emurse.com will help you create online resumes that scan easily.online resumes that scan easily.

An excess of An excess of freefree web space is web space is available, including easy available, including easy development tools, that can help you development tools, that can help you set up a portfolio detailing your set up a portfolio detailing your accomplishments, even if you are not accomplishments, even if you are not technically oriented anymore.technically oriented anymore.

Social networking tools…Social networking tools…

LinkedInLinkedIn FacebookFacebook PulsePulse JobsterJobster

Blogging and white papers can Blogging and white papers can improve your “online brand.”improve your “online brand.”

Starting a blog is easyStarting a blog is easy Less prolific writers should try white Less prolific writers should try white

paperspapers Online discussion forums – beware Online discussion forums – beware

but be wily!but be wily!

There are many free There are many free alternatives to Microsoft alternatives to Microsoft

Excel…Excel… … … such as Google Documents, Zoho, such as Google Documents, Zoho,

and OpenOffice.and OpenOffice. … … or track up to 10 searches at a or track up to 10 searches at a

time with Isabont.comtime with Isabont.com

Job aggregators take the sting out of Job aggregators take the sting out of long, tedious search sessions for new long, tedious search sessions for new

jobs.jobs. Save your online time by using:Save your online time by using:

– Indeed.comIndeed.com– SimplyHired.comSimplyHired.com– LinkUp.comLinkUp.com– odinJobs.comodinJobs.com

Save more time by creating agents Save more time by creating agents that e-mail you each daythat e-mail you each day

Volunteer or consultVolunteer or consult

Re-educate and re-certify Re-educate and re-certify yourself.yourself.

Return to school for an MBA or just Return to school for an MBA or just for some additional classes to for some additional classes to improve your technical or business improve your technical or business knowledge.knowledge.

Many technology professionals Many technology professionals complain that they never had time to complain that they never had time to pursue a certification while working; pursue a certification while working; it’s a great time now for you to go it’s a great time now for you to go get that PMP.get that PMP.

Get a new Get a new … wardrobe … wardrobe … haircut … haircut

… makeover … makeover

Improve your job search Improve your job search etiquette.etiquette.

Write better e-mailsWrite better e-mails Leave better voice messagesLeave better voice messages Follow upFollow up Write thank you notes, even for Write thank you notes, even for

rejections!rejections! Practice your interviewing skills with Practice your interviewing skills with

friends or familyfriends or family

Will you be able to Will you be able to rebootreboot or or upgradeupgrade your search and find a your search and find a

new, meaningful job that new, meaningful job that matches your career goals?matches your career goals?

Reassess your attitude and Reassess your attitude and approach approach nownow to land a great to land a great

job. job.

Find renewed hope and a new Find renewed hope and a new career step by mastering the career step by mastering the search basics and trying new search basics and trying new tools and approaches outlined tools and approaches outlined

here.here.

Reboot and upgrade Reboot and upgrade your job search – a your job search – a system for success!system for success!

Q&AQ&A

Todd Nilson, Todd Nilson, Talent Acquisition Talent Acquisition PartnersPartners

tnilson@sprinc.comtnilson@sprinc.com(414) 312-4233 (414) 312-4233

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

http://www.gettapped.nethttp://www.gettapped.net