How to Develop a Job Search Strategy (Job Hunting)

 

Carefully articulate and write a Job Search Plan and effectively follow it through in order to get a Top Job in today's competitive marketplace.

 

"No matter what you are trying to accomplish, the key to achievement is your ability to break down the task into manageable pieces and knock them off one at a time"

Jim Rohn

 

 

Where can I go & look for a Job?

Traditionally, you are supposed to submit your applications to recruitment agencies; read Newspapers for vacancies and network through your friends and families.

Additionally however, you should submit online applications.

In networking (which is estimated to provide up to 65% of available jobs), there are 4 different levels of job search:

• 
  
  
  My friends or families
  
• 
  
  
  The friend/family of my friend/family that I know
  
• 
  
  
  The friend/family of my friend/family that I don't know
  
• 
  
  
  The people introduced to me by friends/family that I don't know
  

You must have scaled these 4 categories before you can actually say you are a serious job seeker.

How can I Get Experience?

A lot of opportunities to get experience actually exist if you recognize and harness them.

1. 
   
   
   You can apply to organizations to work as an intern. An intern is normally paid less than a staff but experience cannot be bought.
   
2. 
   
   
   Work as a volunteer in an organization. Nobody would refuse a volunteer worker unless you appear unreliable.
   
3. 
   
   
   Handle projects within organizations, clubs, or association. You can always refer back to them.
   

Developing a Job Search Plan

How serious are you about getting a Top Job? Then, you have to put pen to paper and develop a job search plan. Below is an example of one.

Download a plain page for your personal use – Job Search Plan (WORD) (PDF)

MONTH	GOALS	TASKS TO COMPLETE	APPROXIMATE TIME TO COMPLETE THE TASKS	DUE DATE OR COMPLETION DATE
JANUARY Week 1	Finalize CV Get at least 3 professionals to commend it	Determine the type of CV to write Get CV templates	One week	July 9, 2010
Week 2	Write a general cover letter Get at least 4 references	Check Newspaper for the expected description of an ideal candidate for this job type Contact prospective references	5 days	July 14, 2010
Week 3

 

In closing, remember that following your strategy to the end is what gets the job.

You would likely get the job earlier than you anticipate. But then, the day you get the job, your search for job is over. So, do all you can to get a Top Job now.