Download - Job Search Strategies
Job Search StrategiesErin Richey – Assistant Director, MBA Career Consultant
Office of Career ServicesRobert H. Smith School of Business
What is the first word that comes to mind when
you hear the term “JOB SEARCH”?
The online application “black hole”
Lack of feedback from employers
It’s a “numbers” game
Why Is A Job Search So Frustrating!?!
InterviewSuccessFomula.com Study – Via Forbes.com article - http://ow.ly/mbq94
▪ There were 3.6 million job openings at the end of 2012. About 80% of available jobs are never advertised.
▪ The average number of people who apply for any given job: 118. 20% of those applicants get an interview.
▪ Many companies use talent-management software (applicant tracking systems) to screen resumes, weeding out up to 50% of applications before anyone ever looks at a resume or cover letter.
Job Search Stats for the Digital Era
Job Search Stats for the Digital Era
On average, interviews last 40 minutes. After that, it usually takes 24 hours to two weeks to hear from the company with their decision.
What do employees look for before making an offer? About 36% look for multitasking skills; 31% look for initiative; 21% look for creative thinking; and 12% look for something else in the candidate.
In the U.S., 42% of professionals are uncomfortable negotiating salary. By not negotiating, an individual stands to lose more than $500,000 by the time they reach 60.
More than half (56%) of all employers reported that a candidate rejected their job offer in 2012.
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Casting too wide a net Relying solely on the internet Not tailoring resume & cover letter
to each position Not spending enough time “in”
your search Not tracking progress Over qualifying network
connections Lack of follow-up Carelessness in application process Lack of a well-defined strategy
Common Job Search Mistakes
Discover Develop Connect Engage
These four words convey our values and play a vital role in the fulfillment of our OCS mission and promise to our students and employers
OCS Core Values
Discover• …Your
interests, skills and values
Develop• …Your
marketing documents and a detailed search strategy
Connect• …with
networks to identify opportunities and lower “barriers to entry”
Engage• …In a well
planned, focused and successful job search!
Developing A Winning Job Search Strategy
▪ What do you want?– What do you enjoy? What are you good at? What do you
value?– Clarify focus areas
▪ Importance of Assessments▪ Field, Function & Company Research
– wetfeet.com– careers-in-business.com – Virtual Business Information Center – vbic.umd.edu
*Your OCS coach is a great resource for this stage*
DISCOVER
DEVELOP
Now that you know WHAT you want, it’s time to get organizedMarketing Document Development– Resume– Cover Letter– Network Messaging Templates
Strategy Development– Source identification– Timeframe & Location Preferences– Getting Organized– Setting Goals
CONNECT
Networking in ActionImportance of NetworkingDeveloping An Outreach Strategy– Networks Brainstorm– Networking Tracking Spreadsheet– Informational Interviews
Networking Through Social Media– LinkedIn, Twitter & Facebook– Making the Most of LinkedIn Webinar
ENGAGE
Action Time!Tracking Your Progress & Keeping Score– Job Search Tracking Spreadsheet– Progress Scorecard
“Good Week” in a Job Search– Full Time vs. “While Working”– Quality vs. Quantity
Job Search TeamsPaying it Forward
Questions orComments?
DISCOVERDEVELOPCONNECTENGAGE