New to the Job Search Market? Start Tracking! - Part Two

In my last blog, I gave you a number of suggestions on how to track your job search with the use of either spreadsheets or binders. In addition to those suggestions, it would also behove you to consider do the following:

Helpful Hints:

Hint 1
Set up a job search schedule so that you do different things on different days. Job-hunting is intense work and there are many ways of doing it. For example, look at doing searches on job boards two days a week, spend another two or on researching and contacting companies that could use your skill set and one day working on your social media profile and networking both on-line and in person.

Hint 2
Keep multiple copies of your résumé. You should have one ‘master résumé’ that can and should be sent to your job leads that do not review résumés on a regular basis; an abridged version [ 1-2 pages] that can and should be sent to hiring managers and recruiters who would normally be in the position of receiving 100 - 150 résumés per day for any posted job advertisement.

Hint 3
Customize your cover letter and use words that are used in the original job advertisement.

Hint 4
You should always carry your own business cards to distribute at networking events. These business cards should display the following information:

On the Front:
• Your name
• Your desired job title
• Your e-mail address
• Your phone number

On the Back:
• 3 or 5 Career highlights

Hint 5
Don't forget that you should track your networking efforts as well:

~ Date
~ Networking meetings
~ Event host details
~ Contact names of the people you met
~ Follow-up - phone message, e-mail, reconnecting meeting date, etc.

In closing, it is always a good idea to note the name and contact information of the people who helped you, and then stay in touch with them so that you can help them, when and if they need help, and they can help you, again, if you need it. Good luck!


Copyright © 2011, Career Matters. All Rights Reserved.Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2011, Career Matters. Reprinted by permission of the author, Mary Salvino.“Career Matters” is a blog hosted by Mary Salvino, Senior Consultant for SMART Career Planning.com. This blog is dedicated to those who are seeking advice on managing their career and future job opportunities. We welcome readers to share their experiences, post their comments or ask questions about career related matters. For any questions or comments that are better addressed privately, please feel free to e-mail Mary directly at Mary.Salvino@shaw.ca