Ten Smart Tips for Job Hunters

  1. REQUIRED READING: What Color is Your Parachute?, Bolles. This is the best selling job hunting book ever! His original co-author was a British spy in World War I who shared his secrets of networking and getting information in the book.
  2. REQUIRED READING: Knock'em Dead, Great Answers for Tough interview Questions, Yate. I wish I had a dollar for every person who has thanked me for referring this book. Even if you are an accomplished CEO, you'll learn some great interview techniques.
  3. Optional, but great advice: Stop Peeing On Your Shoes: Avoiding the 7 Mistakes That Screw Up Your Job Search, by Bauke
  4. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK-OPTIMIZE IT! Everybody knows somebody! You greatly increase your odds by networking. Tell everyone you know and meet you are looking for information about careers.
  5. Use all of these websites and refresh your resume monthly:
    1. CareerBuilder.com
    2. Monster.com
    3. Craigslist: I have posted jobs paying over 100k on it and hired people as a result of posting there.
  6. Resumes-Keep it short! Your resume is a marketing piece. I highly recommend you limit it to 1 or 2 pages, maximum. Anything more suggests you don't understand the language of business is, in part, brevity. Keep it work-related. I recently said to a candidate, "I guarantee you I have never in my corporate or headhunting career had a hiring manager say to me, 'I want you to find a candidate who weighs 173 lbs, who has 4 children, and a wife named Sharon.'"
  7. Don't forget these resources: Chamber of Commerce, church, & alumni directories.
  8. When calling a prospective employer or networking contact, be sure to say: "Did I call at a good time or is there a better time to call back?"
  9. Remember, it's amazing how many strangers will help you if you ask politely for a twenty minute appointment to get their advice regarding your search for information and advice about a particular career.
  10. Handwrite "thank you" notes-A personal touch makes a difference
    1. Send them to everyone you speak to-it shows you are a "class act" and will treat their contacts with respect, making people more willing to help you network.
    2. Write them in the car right after the interview-most companies discuss your candidacy within an hour of your departure, so give them another positive impression.
    3. Invest in a stack of simple Thank You cards-not email!! (Unless they are a good friend). Although handwriting notes takes time, your thoughtfulness is a reflection of how you will treat your future boss and colleagues.

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