General Job Search

1
General Job Search

• Job Search Strategies That Work
• Why Job Seekers Fail
• Where Do Jobs Come From
• How to Work a Job Fair
• Networking
• Networking Worksheet
• How to Work a Meeting
• Informational Interviews

2
Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center.
3
Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center.
4
Advertisements in general publications or in
professional trade journals or magazines. Many
jobs are never announced this way and those that
are attract huge numbers of applicants. Trade
publications often include jobs that are distant
(this can be a plus or a minus). Beware of blind
ads, agency-placed ads for general job titles,
and ads that call for investment on your part!
The Internet is a good source of job leads and
company information. There are many general job
bulletin boards, individual company web sites,
and job resource sites. The importance of the
internet is beginning to expand beyond technical
jobs.
Employment Agencies are generally paid by the
employer, which may ultimately cost you somewhat
on the starting salary an employer is willing to
pay. Think carefully about those who ask payment
from the job-seeker.
Temporary and Temp-to-Perm Agencies are a good
way to test drive an employer without appearing
to job hop on your resume. Many employers are
using the temp-to-perm route in order to find
solid employees before offering permanent
positions. Some offer access to training and
computer tutorials.
Personal Networking by informing friends, family,
and contacts in a variety of personal settings
that you are looking for work and asking if they
know anyone in the kind of business which you are
targeting. The biggest errors people make here
is that they are afraid to impose and that they
feel they dont have any appropriate contacts.
The favor works both waysgood employees are hard
to find! And almost ANYONE is an appropriate
contactother parents at day care, your hair
stylist, doctors, dentists, PTA members, church
or temple contacts, classmates, club members,
fellow volunteers, etc.
Professional Networking by talking or conducting
informational interviews with business
associates, clients, co-workers, former
employers, former or current faculty members will
help you begin to expand contacts within your
field. It is always good to work on building and
enhancing a professional network even when not
planning or actively engaging in a job search.
Joining an appropriate professional association,
attending their meetings, and/or regularly
reading their journal will all help in making
contacts as will volunteering for appropriate
organizations.
Employment Offices and Community Service
Organizations such as public colleges and
universities, state and local employment offices,
and the Commission for Women often have job
listings that are open to the community.
Job Fairs offer an opportunity to make an initial
direct contact.
Directly Contacting the Company through a
targeted letter, focused on that particular
companys needs and your skills. Hopefully you
can send this letter to an appropriate hiring
manager rather than the Human Resources
Department. Regularly directly contacting
companies to look at their specific internal job
postings is also a good idea.
Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center.
5
How to Work a Job Fair...
And Stand Out From the Crowd!
Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center.
6
Making a Personal Networking List
Personal Contacts
Professional Contacts
Using your Network...

• Ask if you can send them a resume even if they
  know of no current openings
• Be business-like and brief. Always ask if you
  have reached the person at a good time
• Send thank you notes and be helpful yourself
• Stay in touch with your contacts and apprise them
  of your progress
• Maintain a positive attitude and set realistic
  goals

• Plan your networkingmake lists of people,
  places and organizations
• Organize your materialstake notes, keep a
  calendar and journal
• Briefly acquaint the person with your background
  and your objective
• Ask if they know of any openings or could refer
  you to someone who might
• Always mention the name of your initial contact
  when contacting a referral
• Use notes if you are contacting a referral by
  phone--it will help you focus

Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center.
7
Network Contact Work Sheet
Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center.
8
How to Work a Meeting...

• Find appropriate groups using Directory of
  National Trade and Professional Associations,
  Chamber of Commerce, or newspaper business
  sections
• Take business cards in an accessible pocket. You
  can make some up using MS Office that give your
  skills or job objective
• As you sign in, ask to speak to an officer and
  ask questions about the organization (its size,
  programs, newsletter, volunteer opportunities) or
  the profession (training necessary, opportunities
  for growth, career paths, salary ranges, local
  and national job market)
• Sit at a table with older peopleit is not always
  true, but they may have more experience and
  contacts and offer a possible mentoring
  relationship
• Do your homework before the meetingcheck out
  professional journals to learn the language and
  get a feel for the trends in the profession,
  check for websites or visit the library to find
  more information.

Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center.
9
Informational Interviews

• Tips
• Do your homeworkresearch the company and the
  industry before-hand so that you know the basics
• Have notes with you so that you ask all of the
  questions you want
• Make efficient use of the time you are allowed
  (generally 20 - 30 minutes)
• Dress and behave professionally (practice your
  handshake and introduction)
• Come prepared to take notes (and go over them
  afterwards)
• Bring business cards and/or resumes in case the
  contact asks for one

• Sample Questions
• On a day-to-day basis, what types of skills are
  most important in this career?
• What courses or major do you think would be the
  most helpful in pursuing this career?
• Is there the opportunity for career growth? Does
  that require additional degrees or would
  additional degrees be helpful?
• How competitive is the job market in this field
  right now? Is this geographic area more or less
  competitive than other areas? Would you predict
  that the job market in this field will be more or
  less competitive in the future?
• Could you describe a typical work day? A typical
  work schedule?
• What do you like/dislike most about your job?
• What kinds of personal characteristics or
  attributes would be needed for success in this
  field?
• Is there anything in your educational or career
  history that you would do differently if you had
  the chance to do it over again? Anything that
  you are particularly glad that you did?
• What is the salary range for entry-level
  positions in this field in this area? For more
  experienced workers?
• Is there any kind of registry/certification exam
  necessary or available in this field?
• Is there anyone else that you recommend that I
  speak to for further information?

Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center.