You are not out of work. You already have a full-time job as the president of “You Incorporated.” You will now be working full time marketing yourself to prospective employers. As far as the job search process is concerned, marketing will be understood to be the things we do to identify prospective employers and to cause those employers to have enough interest in us to want to interview us.  First, we will consider how to locate prospective employers and job openings, then we will deal with the ways we cause them to want to interview us.

Read These Documents	Just Do It!	Web Sites
Networking, What is it? How to Do it Why Networking Works Networking Tips Three Ways to Network to a New Job The Elevator Speech Help for the Older Worker How to Find and Work with a Recruiter Use Temp Agencies to Get a Full-Time Job How to Dress for Success Read the Newspaper but not the Want Ads The Increasing Value of Referrals	Networking Handout Networking Handout Example Networking Appointment Request Checklist – Step Three	Minnesota Career Force Centers Directory of Twin Cities Recruiters Crossroads Career Network at Grace Church Job Search Marketing Strategies Searching While Still Employed Job Search Activity Management Application Salary Information Salary Information 2 D&B/Hoovers – Company Research Dunwoody Institute Indeed.com Jobs in Minnesota Ramsey County Jobs Military/Civilian Job Converter Guide to College Internships Guide to College Career Fairs Career Guide for Students with Disabilities Big Data Internships and Employment How to Get an Internship Cover Letter for Internship Guide Internship Resume Guide & Examples

Job Search Strategy

There probably is not a perfect job. However, you can come closer to the “perfect” job for you by taking the time to seriously think through what is important to you in a next job. The form at the end of this section has been designed to allow you to prioritize those job criteria that are important to you. After each interview, you may want to use the following form to evaluate each given company by filling out the “score” cells for each selection criteria. Listed on the next page is a sample list of job selection criteria. This list is only an example. Although you may want to use some of these, you should list others that are important to you.

Attend a Workshop on “Finding the Hidden Job Market”

Many hiring managers know that they need to create job descriptions and advertise them to attract good candidates, but many times they haven’t had the time or haven’t defined exactly what they want and need. The goal of this session is to make yourself known to those managers and companies before the position is advertised. The goal is getting an interview with them before the formal process begins, or at least getting your resume on or near the top of the stack. This workshop presents some ideas on how to get this accomplished. Refer to the JTG Workshop Schedule on the navigation bar of page one for meeting time and location.

Target Employment Status

Before you actually begin applying for jobs it will be necessary to decide just what type of employment you are seeking: full time, part time, contracts, or self-employment?

Network Strategy

Your networking strategy will help you let everyone know that you are changing careers. It will include such issues as who to contact, number of contacts per week, scripts to be used, records to be kept and follow up plans.

Elevator Speech

Each job seeker should have a short statement prepared to tell anyone who asks what type of work her or she is looking for. You should be able to very succinctly tell anyone who asks, what type of a job you are looking for. A suggested script is provided in this section.

Use of Computer Databases

Internet sites can be useful tools in a job search if used sparingly. You should become acquainted with the Wooddale Job Transition Support Group site on Yahoo, as well as www.indeed.com and industry and /or company specific sites appropriate to your situation.

Professional Recruiters

Search firms and employment agencies can be helpful in locating a job. It is important however to select one that has earned a good reputation and that is appropriate to the type of job you are seeking.

Some companies choose to advertise their job openings in newspapers, (from community to national.) Other openings are listed in college placement offices. One of the best locations is our own Job transition Support Group website.