This has almost everything I believe about the Job Hunt process, and it even helps those who want to stay in their current jobs and do some modification on how they work. Gen Y and Gen X folks, particularly those in Entertainment tend to really work well with me.
I've worked in a big entertainment company in New York in Human Resources for over six years and helped many younger folks succeed through coaching. I also serve on the Alumni Council of my small liberal arts school alma mater.
I have a career coaching group I lead in the evenings and I also career coach people one on one. Reach out at workwellgroups at gmail dot com to get more info if you'd like.
Meantime, here's a summary of the job hunting steps I propose:
1. Do a SELF-ASSESSMENT of what you love to do, based on the stories in your life of times when you really enjoyed doing a service or working on a team. The patterns you discover in writing out these stories will help you identify what might be an ideal career for you.
2. Identify the INDUSTRY (Healthcare, Entertainment, Manufacturing, Retail, etc.) and FUNCTION (Sales, Product Development, Administration, etc.) that most aligns with your favorite things to do. Think about the subjects you're interested in and what you like to do with those subjects.
3. Identify the ORGANIZATIONS that would be great fits for you. Think about good work locations for you (are you willing to move?), company size, industries that are hiring, companies that are doing well (or relatively well?), look at the company culture, benefits, the other things that are important to you.
4. Identify PEOPLE in your network who are working in those organizations. You might need to expand beyond your immediate network to identify great people with whom you can talk. Your aim is to get as close to talking to people who are doing the function in the organizations where you want to work.
5. Do INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS with the people you've identified. Aim for around 10-15 conversations. Ask for around 15 minutes and have targeted questions that you ask AFTER you've done good homework on the organization and each person. See if any of them are willing to give you feedback on your marketing materials: resume/cover letter. Jot down industry buzz words and learn as much as you can about the industry, the function and the company specifically.
6. You probably got some good information to help you better tailor your RESUME and COVER LETTERS. So now, make adjustments and get additional feedback so your documents will catch the eye of recruiters and hiring managers. Once you feel good about these, it's time to effectively use job listings at your target companies, aggregate job listing boards, and check in with your network.
7. Check on your DIGITAL FOOTPRINT. Many employers look up candidates online so make sure you're sending the message you want to send prior to meeting a prospective employer on LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media sites.
8. The job hunt can be a long haul. Identify any personal OBSTACLES that get in the way of you starting the search process, and continuing methodically through the steps towards landing your new position. What are the internal obstacles that get in your way of moving forward? What tools can you use? For example: Do you have a job hunt friend who's keeping you on task? Someone to vent with? And someone who can check in on you and ask thoughtful and helpful questions?
9. Since your career is yours to manage, even when you do land a position, you'll want to have a way to keep these steps going in your work life. Put together a plan to manage your NETWORK on going. Be sure to thank everyone who helped you, and find a way to stay in authentic contact with your supporters. There may be organizations you want to join or even online groups.
I've worked in a big entertainment company in New York in Human Resources for over six years and helped many younger folks succeed through coaching. I also serve on the Alumni Council of my small liberal arts school alma mater.
I have a career coaching group I lead in the evenings and I also career coach people one on one. Reach out at workwellgroups at gmail dot com to get more info if you'd like.
Meantime, here's a summary of the job hunting steps I propose:
1. Do a SELF-ASSESSMENT of what you love to do, based on the stories in your life of times when you really enjoyed doing a service or working on a team. The patterns you discover in writing out these stories will help you identify what might be an ideal career for you.
2. Identify the INDUSTRY (Healthcare, Entertainment, Manufacturing, Retail, etc.) and FUNCTION (Sales, Product Development, Administration, etc.) that most aligns with your favorite things to do. Think about the subjects you're interested in and what you like to do with those subjects.
3. Identify the ORGANIZATIONS that would be great fits for you. Think about good work locations for you (are you willing to move?), company size, industries that are hiring, companies that are doing well (or relatively well?), look at the company culture, benefits, the other things that are important to you.
4. Identify PEOPLE in your network who are working in those organizations. You might need to expand beyond your immediate network to identify great people with whom you can talk. Your aim is to get as close to talking to people who are doing the function in the organizations where you want to work.
5. Do INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS with the people you've identified. Aim for around 10-15 conversations. Ask for around 15 minutes and have targeted questions that you ask AFTER you've done good homework on the organization and each person. See if any of them are willing to give you feedback on your marketing materials: resume/cover letter. Jot down industry buzz words and learn as much as you can about the industry, the function and the company specifically.
6. You probably got some good information to help you better tailor your RESUME and COVER LETTERS. So now, make adjustments and get additional feedback so your documents will catch the eye of recruiters and hiring managers. Once you feel good about these, it's time to effectively use job listings at your target companies, aggregate job listing boards, and check in with your network.
7. Check on your DIGITAL FOOTPRINT. Many employers look up candidates online so make sure you're sending the message you want to send prior to meeting a prospective employer on LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media sites.
8. The job hunt can be a long haul. Identify any personal OBSTACLES that get in the way of you starting the search process, and continuing methodically through the steps towards landing your new position. What are the internal obstacles that get in your way of moving forward? What tools can you use? For example: Do you have a job hunt friend who's keeping you on task? Someone to vent with? And someone who can check in on you and ask thoughtful and helpful questions?
9. Since your career is yours to manage, even when you do land a position, you'll want to have a way to keep these steps going in your work life. Put together a plan to manage your NETWORK on going. Be sure to thank everyone who helped you, and find a way to stay in authentic contact with your supporters. There may be organizations you want to join or even online groups.
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