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YES YOU CAN Find Your Dream Job. Presented by Dr. Philip Weast February 25/26, 2009. Authored by Ms. Patty Kirkley. Like Playing Darts You Need Targets in Mind. Have a Plan. Successful job searches do not happen by Accident Determine businesses that hire people with your degree
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YES YOU CANFind Your Dream Job Presented by Dr. Philip Weast February 25/26, 2009 Authored by Ms. Patty Kirkley
Have a Plan Successful job searches do not happen by Accident • Determine businesses that hire people with your degree • Identify job titles appropriate to your degree • Review job descriptions on the Internet and in the newspaper • Identify companies in your field of interest • Research companies of interest
Get Organized • Identify a work space • Double check arsenal of sales materials – resume, sample cover letter, and reference list. Contact your references. • Collect the information you will need to fill out job applications • Listen to the voice mail messages on your cell and home phones and be sure they sound professional • Create and practice your commercials & scripts
Keep Track… • If you do not have them, buy a planner/ schedule book & a portfolio • Buy a 2-inch binder (and a hole punch) • Make copies of tracking forms • Prepare to track every call and letter (and the expenses you incur) – (see sample forms: Internet/Newspaper, Letters, Contacts)
Be Realistic • You need work experience in your career field • You will not start in the executive office – you will have to prove yourself • Understand likely starting salary range • It is easy to get discouraged and give up – you need a positive “headset”
Secrets You Need to Know Three Types of People Hiring Managers Want to Avoid • Those that cannot learn the job • Those who will not do the work • Those who are not cooperative or have an over-inflated sense of their worth
Persistence is the Key to Finding a Job • Recognize that finding a job is hard work • It takes time and effort • Dedicate a minimum of 25 hours each week to calls, follow up contacts, and research • Your goal is to identify every possible lead
Ways to Get Job Interviews • Network • Send letters to specific businesses asking for an interview • Call companies, especially hiring managers • Answer employment ads • Use the Internet • Register with an employment agency
Tapping the Source of Secret Jobs.. Conquer your fears and learn to “Network” • 75% of all jobs are not advertised (hiring managers know the best employees come from employee referrals) • Practice your personal commercials – 30 second & 2 minutes • Then start talking …
Who Do You Talk To? • Talk to friends and relatives • Talk to people who know lots of other people – teachers, the guy you know at the local coffee shop, members of your church …everyone you know or can identify • Ask for help (additional contacts or info about available jobs) • Your network is larger than you think.....
Send Letters… • First identify specific industry or business • Find names and addresses of businesses in geographic area you are targeting • Send a minimum of 5 letters a day • Increase chances of success by sending letter to the hiring manager and a few days later, following up with a phone call
The Telephone Can Be Your Friend… • Before you begin calling, develop your personal calling script • Practice it with a friend • When you are ready, call a real manager • Don’t give up if you get nervous or bomb the first couple of times • Call before 10:00 (often before 8:00 & after 5:00 is the trick)
Respond to Ads • Check out the employment ads every day • To respond to an ad, first read it carefully • Write each employer a letter telling them how you can help them
Respond to Ads...more • Mention the requirements listed in the ad and specifically describe your ability to meet them • Do not forget to include advertisement code if there is one • Mail letter and your resume to the indicated address
Use the Internet • Post your resume to one or more of the big job boards (you may be one of the lucky ones) • Check out posted jobs on the job boards and apply for the ones you are qualified to do • Go to the web sites for targeted companies and look for openings • 53% of Internet hires come through company’s own website
Employment Agencies • Identify employment agencies who specialize in your chosen occupation • Do not rule out temporary jobs – many work into employment opportunity or new contacts and references • To find these agencies in your field, ask your friends or instructors or check the yellow pages.
Good Luck! Resources: The Job Hunting Handbook, Dahlstrom & Company, Inc.