Effective Job Search Skills What Works, What to Avoid Adapted from Mike Buhmann Career Librarian Skokie Public Library Olaiya Humphrey, PHR

 the Down Side of the Web Overwhelming with so much information available Overwhelming with so much information available Websites constantly change Websites constantly change Multiple people can easily apply for a position (even if not qualified) Multiple people can easily apply for a position (even if not qualified) Is there a better place to waste time? Is there a better place to waste time?

Self Evaluation Tools Discovering your aptitudes, skills & desires What types of careers fit your personality RileyGuide.com – Self Assessment rileyguide.com/assess.html RileyGuide.com – Self Assessment rileyguide.com/assess.html rileyguide.com/assess.html Provides an overview of online self assessment tools Myers-Briggs Personality Test- Do What You Are

Deciding on a Career Path Career Exploration Sites America’s Career OneStop America’s Career OneStop US Dept of Labor site with detailed information on careers & industries Illinois Career Resource Network Illinois Career Resource Network State career exploration site providing information on careers and their outlooks

Finding Jobs Three Major Job Sites Three Major Job Sites 1. Career Builder careerbuilder.com careerbuilder.com 2. Monster monster.com monster.com 3. HotJobs hotjobs.com hotjobs.com What is available from these sites? –Thousands of job listings both locally and from across the country –Resume posting in which employers can search for your resume –Career advice & information –Trying to become one stop shops with all types of information & resources

Finding Jobs Job Listing Tools You may want to start with: Indeed.comIndeed.com SimplyHired.comSimplyHired.com Linkup.comLinkup.com Jobster.comJobster.com These sites search across multiple job listing sites and employer sites with job listings.

Finding Jobs Job Listings – Local CraigsList chicago.craigslist.orgCraigsList chicago.craigslist.org chicago.craigslist.org Good source for local listings from smaller companies. Cost is low for posting a job ($25 vs. $475 for Monster.com). Also lists piece-meal work/gigs. Check Association websitesCheck Association websites For example, library jobs in the area are first listed at the North Suburban Library System NSLS before being listed anywhere else Google the industry name and “association” to find Check Websites of Employers in regionCheck Websites of Employers in region For example, Northwestern University hires hundreds of positions Use the databases ReferenceUSA or LexisNexis to find companies by region

Networking Enlisting multiple people to assist in a job search is better than looking alone Enlisting multiple people to assist in a job search is better than looking alone Most jobs are not filled through job listings Most jobs are not filled through job listings Even jobs that are listed are sometimes filled from within or through recommendations Even jobs that are listed are sometimes filled from within or through recommendations People are more apt to hire someone they know or who has been personally recommended People are more apt to hire someone they know or who has been personally recommended

Networking Think of every face-to-face encounter as a networking opportunity Think of every face-to-face encounter as a networking opportunity Take a class Take a class Join an association Join an association Attend trade shows Attend trade shows Attend job fairs in the area Attend job fairs in the area Join area career support & networking groups Join area career support & networking groups Use online networking tools such as FaceBook & LinkedIn Use online networking tools such as FaceBook & LinkedIn How to:

Job Fairs, Networking Groups & Trade Shows tsnn.com

Networking Tips: Keep a business card, a résumé and a promo sheet (order free business cards at VistaPrint.com) Keep a business card, a résumé and a promo sheet (order free business cards at VistaPrint.com) Practice a 30 second elevator speech, explaining your situation, skills, and desires Practice a 30 second elevator speech, explaining your situation, skills, and desires Be confident, not desperate or bitter Be confident, not desperate or bitter Networking is a give and take, offer help to others and you will be remembered Networking is a give and take, offer help to others and you will be remembered

Online Networking In a Recent Survey: Nearly two-thirds of executives interviewed believe professional networking websites -- like LinkedIn – will prove useful in finding job candidates in the next three years

Online Networking Why Do It?: Linking with just 10 people can provide you connections to hundreds Linking with just 10 people can provide you connections to hundreds “Online networking is like traditional networking, but somewhat less intimidating. If someone is on LinkedIn, they're usually willing to network." “Online networking is like traditional networking, but somewhat less intimidating. If someone is on LinkedIn, they're usually willing to network." Online networks help you find mentors and stay up-to-date on industry trends. Online networks help you find mentors and stay up-to-date on industry trends. Many recruiters are focusing on social networking tools to find new candidates. Many recruiters are focusing on social networking tools to find new candidates.

LinkedIn Complete your profile =nav_responsive_tab_profile =nav_responsive_tab_profile

LinkedIn Create a catchy headline Write summary in 3 rd person, like an article

LinkedIn Connect with people you know Import contacts from your list Import contacts from your list Find people you went to school with Find people you went to school with

LinkedIn Join industry groups and participate in discussions

LinkedIn Search for companies to find information & contacts

LinkedIn Submit a question or answer someone else’s to help you develop contacts

Online Networking Tips: Copy relevant information from your resume to your LinkedIn profile Copy relevant information from your resume to your LinkedIn profile Put relevant keywords in your profile to help potential employers find you Put relevant keywords in your profile to help potential employers find you Get recommendations; to an employer these are references in advance Get recommendations; to an employer these are references in advance Create a LinkedIn signature for your that links directly to your LinkedIn profile Create a LinkedIn signature for your that links directly to your LinkedIn profile Don't post anything you wouldn't want an employer to see. Don't post anything you wouldn't want an employer to see. Don't stop networking once you have a job. Savvy job seekers continue to cultivate their networks Don't stop networking once you have a job. Savvy job seekers continue to cultivate their networks

Social Networking Facebook.com Informal & fun site for keeping touch with friendsInformal & fun site for keeping touch with friends Maintain contact with people you probably would lose touch withMaintain contact with people you probably would lose touch with Be careful of information that employers may seeBe careful of information that employers may see

Facebook Check privacy settings so not everything you post can be viewed by an employer

Facebook Provide updates of your job search to keep contacts subtly aware that you’re still job seeking

Social Networking Twitter (twitter.com) Microblogging service to post short messages to connections Microblogging service to post short messages to connections Allows you to connect with people you don’t know but who have a similar interest Allows you to connect with people you don’t know but who have a similar interest Free to register and create a profile Free to register and create a profile

Social Networking Twitter (twitter.com) Search for groups, companies or key individuals and follow them Search for groups, companies or key individuals and follow them Get job search advice by following career experts Get job search advice by following career experts Show your expertise by tweeting on a topic or industry and get followers Show your expertise by tweeting on a topic or industry and get followers Respond to other tweets to make connections Respond to other tweets to make connections

Online Networking Professional Networking Sites LinkedIn (linkedin.com) LinkedIn (linkedin.com) Plaxo (plaxo.com) Plaxo (plaxo.com) ZoomInfo (zoominfo.com) ZoomInfo (zoominfo.com) Social Networking Sites FaceBook (facebook.com) FaceBook (facebook.com) Google Groups (google.com) Google Groups (google.com) Twitter (twitter.com) Twitter (twitter.com)

Resume/ Tips Open an account just for job searching, keep the name professional Open an account just for job searching, keep the name professional copies of your resume & cover letter to yourself and save in a folder copies of your resume & cover letter to yourself and save in a folder Keep a list of bulleted items in a folder to modify resume for specific jobs Keep a list of bulleted items in a folder to modify resume for specific jobs

Resume/ Tips VisualCV Resume visualcv.com visualcv.com Create an online resume and link to it via Create an online resume and link to it via your business card or website

Job Hunting on the Web THANK YOU ! Questions ? Comments ?