1. Winning The Job-Search War
IEEE
January 27, 2003
Jim Lemke

2. "If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." - Milton Berle -

3. Guerrilla Job Searching Basics
Pounding the virtual pavement
Guerrilla name generators
Guerrilla web tools
All about you
Reflections – interests, skills & abilities
Your resume
Closing the interview
Selling your skills and experience

4. The Leads Gorilla name generators
Unconventional, non-traditional, not by-the-book, and inexpensive.
Think like a headhunter
News stories (re: organizational changes, grants, new business and employee promotions)
Company website
Press releases
Events
Stock site message boards
Job Fairs (not just in your field)
Former interviewers
Hoovers.com – Website/Book
Executive search type marketing letters
Create a fictional candidate

5. Guerrilla tools Free Fee for use Research Lead – cross sharing
IEEE.com
Flipdog.com
Truecareers.com
Zillionresumes.com
Monster.com
Dice.com
Hotjobs.com
Jobsearchlink.com
Careersurf.com
Fee for use
Grassisgreener.com – Job spider - $12 for 3 months
Infogist.com – Job spider - $29 for 3 months
ResumeRabbit.com – Resume blasting tool - $59 unlimited use
ResumeDirector.com - Resume blasting tool - $59 unlimited use
Research
CareerXroads – Website/Book
110 Best Job Search Sites on the Internet – Book
Lead – cross sharing

6. Preparing to market yourself

7. You Your Passions Your resume – it’s your marketing tool
Your best attributes
What makes a job exciting
What makes you unique
Your resume – it’s your marketing tool
Tailor it for every position
It is not a legal document – but don’t become too creative.
It should be compelling. Use action verbs. Use numbers to indicate volume. Use adjectives. SPELL CHECK!!
Ask others to read it. Get constructive criticism.
Your contact information
If you don’t have a personal address…GET ONE
Don’t use a silly addresses such as;
etc.
If you change addresses, broadcast the changes
Use an answering tool that can be remotely accessed with a professional message – no funny messages.

8. Selecting The Job Look for the “hard skill” job requirements
Do your skills directly align with the job requirements?
If not, can you truly align your skills with a spin?
What to you bring to this job that gives you a competitive edge?
What excites you about the job?
Write it down and then put it in your cover letter
Send a resume & cover letter to HR and to the hiring manager

9. Interview Due Diligence
Do your homework
Research their web page
What Products/Services do they provide?
What is their market position?
Who are the key managers?
Who are their competitors?
Have they been in the news?
What is the corporate culture?

10. Interviewing

11. Prepare For Your Interview
Rehearse your answers to common interviewing questions.
Video tape yourself practicing to interview. Would you hire yourself?
Show you want the job. Tell them what you could do that would benefit the organization. Tell them what you’ve done for employers in the past that could benefit them.
Ask for clarification. It shows an interest in the position and what the interviewer has to say.
Remember to listen. Communication is a two-way street.
Take time to reflect before answering difficult questions.

12. Interview Basics Be on-time.
Be well-groomed. Wear a suit. Wear sensible, well-polished shoes.
Bring a resume, references, and samples of your work, if appropriate.
Bring a pen and notepad. Jot down information, but don’t take excessive notes.
Make eye contact. Be confident.
Try to relax.
Be honest. Sell yourself, but don’t claim skills you don’t possess.
Be aware of your body language. Be positive and try to make others more comfortable.
Send a thank-you note within 24 hours.

13. Your pitch Selling yourself
You should be able to say what you want to do, and you are prepared to do, for your next employer.
You should be able to say it in 25 words or less.
Be prepared to say it to anyone in the industry.
Back it up
Be prepared to give specific examples of your achievements.
Think on your feet - highlight the skills that would be most important to the person that you’re talking to.

14. Reference Books
Resumes,Cover Letters & Interviews for Dummies – Joyce Lain Kennedy
Job Searching Online For Dummies – Pam Dixon
The Interview Rehearsal Book -Deb Gottesman, Buzz Mauro
Resumes in Cyberspace - Pat Criscito
Resume Magic: Trade Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer - Susan Britton Whitcomb
Best Answers to the 201 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions - Matthew J. Deluca

15. Remember….Job searching is a full-time effort! Questions ?