1 Proprietary & Confidential w w w. a p e x s y s t e m s i n c. c o m Career Services Workshop Conducting an Effective Job Search Presented to you by: Erica Woods (Manager of Contractor Relations) and Chris O’Hare (Managing Director, Tampa)

45-60 minutes from now… 1.12 strategies to conduct an effective job search 2.How to work with Recruiters 3.Resume & branding advice 4.Ways to differentiate yourself amongst other applicants 5.Consideration criteria for evaluating your options 2 Proprietary & Confidential Goal: walk away with 2-3+ suggestions that will make your job search more effective AND which will help reduce anxieties.

Who are we? Erica Woods, Apex Systems ► Manager, Contractor and Community Relations ► 10 years of IT Staffing ► Project and Program Management of initiatives that support our national IT contractor base ► Social Media Career Coaching ► MS SQL Tips Professional Development Author Chris O’Hare, Apex Systems ► Managing Director of our Tampa office ► 12 years of IT Staffing ► 11+ years of Business Development and Management ► Expertise in management, IT staffing, leadership, process improvement, performance best practices, and business development

Discussion What is your biggest frustration and/or struggle when looking for a job? Take 1-2 minutes and share with a neighbor.

#1 - Understand Motivators Know your Motivators: ► What have I liked about the opportunities I’ve had? ► What do I wish I could have changed? What do I wish I had known? ► What’s important to me (regarding a company, project, manager, culture, job functions, technology, growth potential, benefits, etc.? ► What motivates me to do something well? ► In what direction do I want to move? ► What are my priorities (both personally and professionally)? 5 Best Practice: You want to think through what your career interests are before you start your job search!

#2 – Determine Hiring Trends  Check out market and technology trends  Know strengths & weaknesses  Develop areas where you are lacking  MSSQLTips  Pluralsight  Microsoft Virtual Academy Apply the 80:20 rule to your Job Search. If you meet 80% of the qualifications, apply for the position and have a plan on how you’ll obtain the remaining 20% of the skills needed!

#3 – Build Portfolio  Work Examples / Pet Projects  GitHub  Stack Overflow  Nonprofit Tech Support  Additional Community Contributions, i.e. MSSQLTips  LinkedIn Profile 7 Proprietary & Confidential

#4 – Fine Tune Resume  Invest in a Resume Builder  Strategize Content & Accomplishments 1 st  Content & Layout Best Practices  Certification Placement  URLs to Contact Info  Tag Line  Technical Skills Summary  Tech & versions in each job  Accomplishments / Career Highlights  Community Involvement  QA against Accomplishments, Target Brand & Motivators  Have a ‘Resume Review Buddy’ 8 Proprietary & Confidential

#5 – Get References  Get references proactively  LinkedIn Recommendations  Reference Letters 9 Proprietary & Confidential

#6 – Evaluate Online Presence  Engage in ORM (Online Reputation Management)  Scope out social media channels  Pulse check on “Brand?”  What can I do to improve my online brand? 10 Proprietary & Confidential

#7 - Generate a List of Target Companies  What companies in your immediate area use the technology you want to work with? Have positions similar to yours?  LinkedIn Search  Job Postings  Asking Network  Determining from Recruiters  Companies that sponsor your local User Group  What contacts can you make at those companies?  Make contact with appropriate person

#8 – Consult with Network  2-3 Skills-Based Recruiters  User Group Leaders  Previous Managers/ Co-Workers 12 Proprietary & Confidential Best Practice: Back Door Resume Submittal!

Working with Recruiters During Your Search  Set expectations when and how you’d like to conduct your job search (communication channels, target timeframes, # jobs)  Communicate decision making criteria: interests, motivators, career goals, target companies, etc.  Consult with them on ‘Career Services’ type advice  Keep informed on status of other opportunities you’re targeting Help. Us. Help. You!

#9 – Job Alerts 14 Proprietary & Confidential Sign Up for Job Alerts: 1.Allow you to define your criteria 2. you relevant opportunities 3.Allow you to pick and choose 4.Gives insight into who’s hiring 5.Gives tech insights 6.Provides target companies ***Apply 80:20 rule!*** **Indeed, LinkedIn, Dice, Monster, CareerBuilder, Staffing Firms**

#10 - Use LinkedIn  Search for Jobs  Re-connect with Recruiters you’ve worked with in the past  Identify Recruiters  Re-connect with other members in your network Use LinkedIn to Brand, Connect, Communicate, and stay on the “radar” of your “target audience!”

#11 – Leverage Add’l Social Media  Glassdoor Job Board  Facebook groups?  Relevant hashtags?  Reddit groups? Discussion: Has anyone used social media to identify jobs? 16 Proprietary & Confidential

#12 – Provide Differentiators  References/Recommendations  Pet Projects  Links to Positive Profile/s  Technical Assessment/s  Awards  Results of Skills-Based Volunteering Efforts Once you’ve identified a position, ask yourself “what else do I have at my disposal that I can include with my resume to give myself a competitive advantage for that opportunity?” 17 Proprietary & Confidential

Discussion What resource has been the most helpful in providing you with quality job prospects? Take 1 minute and share with a neighbor.

Interviewing Best Practices  Familiarize yourself with past – review resume!  Visualize success  Do homework – research company!  Prepare questions  Prepare elevator pitches  Research unknown  Practice interview questions & elevator pitch  Consult with Recruiter  Demonstrate interest  Share successes / career highlights  Be honest about experience  Be aware of non-verbal communication  Offer ‘Differentiators’ post interview  Send ‘Thank You’ 19 Proprietary & Confidential

Consideration Criteria & Exit Strategy  Interview at 2+ companies  Interview the Interviewer  Evaluate opportunities against motivators/goals (Pros & Cons per job)  Make a sound decision on job offers  Communicate decision to all parties involved  Consider your exit strategy  Resign and leave on a high note Best Practice: Maintain consistent communication with anyone assisting you with your job search!

Parting Ways Professionally – Leave a Good Legacy ► Resignation best practices: 2 weeks + tell Manager 1 st + show appreciation + do in person with follow up ► Don’t take foot off the pedal; keep up work ethic and production ► Close out big projects/tasks & document projects, issues & key contacts ► Knowledge transfer - train replacement ► Keep open lines of communication with any Managers, Clients, etc. ► Exit Interviews = optional (avoid negativity, show appreciation) 21 Proprietary & Confidential Best Practice: Offering to train your replacement is a great way to ensure you’re leaving your company on a good note, and them in a good place.

Additional Resources MSSQLTips Articles 1.10 Job Search Resources10 Job Search Resources 2.11 Best Practices for your Job Search11 Best Practices for your Job Search 3.Identifying, Evaluating & Working Effectively with Recruiters Job Search Workshops 1.Resume Best Practices – Creating a Professional Marketing PieceCreating a Professional Marketing Piece 2.Interview Coaching – Tips and Tricks before, during and after an InterviewTips and Tricks before, during and after an Interview 3.LinkedIn - Creating a Quality Profile and How to Leverage for your Job SearchCreating a Quality Profile and How to Leverage for your Job Search *** for workshop 22 Proprietary & Confidential

Q&A Session 23 Proprietary & Confidential Questions? Comments? Concerns? Additional Suggestions?