Organizing Your Job Search Dave Sparkman

How much do you/should you know? Is your tendency to “go it alone” through career changes, or get counsel/encouragement from others? What’s the most important thing you can lose in the job-hunting game? Do people with positive or negative attitudes interview better? What should you do first…network or create a resume? Are thank you notes for interviews appropriate? Could I just send an e- mail? Is contact management software necessary to manage your networking list? You know you’ll be hired when….

Overview Spiritual Preparation Definitions Support Attitude & Aptitude Time Management Tools Organizational Tips

#1 – Spiritual Preparation  Draw Closer to God through Scripture (Joshua 1:8)  Seek His Plan for You (Jer. 29:11-13)  Trust His Timing  Pray for Your Job Search  Pray for Others  Help Others – Earn the goodwill of your neighbor: “What can I do to be useful to you?” (Hans Selye, quoted by Bob Buford in HalfTime)

#2 – Define…a change in? Occupation – inclusive of employee, consultant, contractor, part-time, franchisee Field – healthcare, accountant, advertising, etc People – they leave people, not organizations…. Work Environment – flowing streams vs. cubicle farm Goals and Values – “wanted to go a different direction” Salary – usually, we want more!

What are the logical paths? Old Occupation, Old Field New Occupation, Old Field Old Occupation, New Field New Occupation, New Field

#3 - Support Family – in every sense of a definition Small group – light accountability Networking groups – familiar faces Church – “just attend?” (help them help you) Friend – accountability and encouragement References - insights How are you doing? “I never understood that for someone of my qualifications and experience, it could be so complex and difficult.” vs. “Fine”

#4 – Attitude & Aptitude Accepting Loss and Opportunity: –Denial to Shock –Distraction to Panic –Irritation to Anger –Feeling Down to Depression –Some Stress to Physical Illness Discovering Your Unique Qualities –Self Assessment –Reference Assessment –Professional Assessment –Bringing It Together

#5 – Time Management What are the odds??? Where should you spend your time… Five Worst strategies Use the internet – 4% Mail out resumes to employers at random – 7% Answering ads in professional/trade journals – 7% Answering local newspaper ads – 5-24% Going to private employment agencies or search firms – 5-24% Five Best strategies: Networking with family, friend, and career center staff – 33% Knocking on the door of any employer that interests you - 47% Calling employers in your field of interest and asking if they have vacancies – 69% Group approach to point above – 84% Life-Changing Job-Hunt – 86% Source: What Color is Your Parachute?

#6 - Tools ensure it’s a professional address (i.e. not “machoman”) Websites –Commercial service: companies/individuals pay to access… Monster.com, Hotjobs.com, etc. –Proprietary headhunter: help headhunters earn fees… FutureStep, Leadersonline –Proprietary corporate: help companies save on fees –Executive Interface: charge executives… Exec-U-Net.com, NetShare.com, Searchbase.com –Altruistic – primarily public service…ajb.org, shrm.org, Ritesite.com Books: What Color is Your Parachute? Rites of Passage… Resume 30 second resume – the elevator speech Marketing piece Business cards Cell phone or business line PC and printer Form letters PDA Cards – for all occasions

#7 – Organizational Tips Call sheets Home Portal (Crossroadscareer.org, then Career Tools) Journal Practice Schedule Lists, Lists, and more Lists: –Goals –Websites visited and applicability –Website postings for targets –Jobs applied for at those targets –Companies: both targets and “NO’s” –Networking: Made and to be made –Connections: Remember “how” –Follow up needed