Job Search Tips
and Hints
How Job-Seekers
Get Their Jobs
Did you know?
• 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.
• Many companies use talent-management software to
screen resumes, weeding out up to 50% of applications
before anyone ever looks at a resume or cover letter.
• 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 employees look for
before making an offer:
36% - multitasking skills
31% - initiative
21% - creative thinking
12% - other
More than half (56%) of all employers reported
that a candidate rejected their job offer in 2012.
Video: Job Hunting Tips (click on title)
Your network
Analyze Your
Network
How do you work at
interacting with…
How to Network:
• Online and in-person, tell everyone you know
that you are job hunting.
• Email them a PDF version of your resume.
• Act on every tip you get.
If you want a job, make it known.
• Be the connector. Give as well as get help.
• Be remembered. Find a unique way to follow-up
with people you meet. Cards are a nice gesture.
• Guidelines for your LinkedIn account:
– Complete your profile to 100% and keep it
professional
– Include a professional picture
– Describe your experiences thoroughly
– Showcase your best classes and accomplishments
– Include the link on your resume
** Access: LinkedIn
Research
• Learn about your target company
– pour over their website.
• Focus on growth industries and specialization.
• Find the right company 1st and the job 2nd.
• Pay attention to global events
to set yourself apart.
• Use for research and to connect with
fellow alumni and your connections.
Video: Job Search Strategies (click on title)
)
Strategies to Consider
• Move to a city with jobs.
• Move to an industry sector with jobs.
• Apply directly on company websites.
• Consider different business environments.
– large firms
– Startups
– spin-offs
– non-profits
– public sector
– fast-growing midsize companies
– federal, state and local government
Video: (click on title below)
Motivation & Strategic Targeting
What if it doesn’t work?
Be Smarter, Faster, Better
Update your resume to include:
• Examples of how you thrived in
challenging times.
• How you excel at stretching a budget.
• How you can bring in new clients and
new revenue right away.
Step up your game!
Career Services SCC 205 281-312-1624
References:
• "Job Search Strategies." YouTube. Willamette University, 19 Aug.
2011. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
• "Job Hunting Tips : How to Make a Job Search Plan." YouTube.
Expert Village, 19 Nov. 2007. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
• O'Donnell, J.T. "How to Stay Motivated During a Job
Search." YouTube. Careerealism TV, 23 Apr. 2012. Web. 18 Sept.
2014.