| None of us ever feel that we are going to be out of | | | | hunters you may have called. |
| work for very long. We jump into looking for work in | | | | 4. This is a record of all interviews completed. Include |
| as many directions as we can think of, confident that | | | | notes of where and when and any pertinent details |
| we will find a suitable position quickly, and move on | | | | regarding how well it went, company characteristics |
| with our lives. | | | | and when follow up would be appropriate. Keep the |
| A few weeks pass and we see that we have been | | | | business cards of interviewers in your pocket page |
| pursuing leads willy-nilly and often can't quite | | | | with notes on the back specific to that interviewer |
| remember where we applied and the details of each | | | | (very important if you are called back for a second |
| position. | | | | meeting). |
| Creating a central organizer for our activities can help | | | | 5. 6. 7. and 8. Networking -- the core of your job |
| assure that we have a clear understanding of where | | | | search. We need four sections for our sizzling |
| we've been and what we've done, and provides a | | | | contacts (direct connections with family members, |
| private resource chart for on-going contacts and | | | | friends, acquaintances, and business associates), |
| re-contacts. | | | | warm contacts (personal referrals made by our |
| Start with a thick, 2 or 3 inch, 3 ring binder available | | | | sizzling list), tepid contacts (referrals through others |
| at any drugstore. Get a stack of pre-punched paper | | | | but one or two steps removed from people we |
| and several thick paper pockets to put in each | | | | personally know) and cold contacts (employers we |
| section. Here are some suggestions on how to set it | | | | have contacted from out the blue to see if any |
| up - if something a little different works for you, | | | | unadvertised openings exist). Use these sections to |
| make whatever changes you'd like. | | | | record who you contact and when, the responses |
| 1. The first section will contain your resume, your | | | | received, and telephone numbers for follow up. |
| personal snapshot cheat sheet (personal qualities | | | | 9. Keep a separate section for lessons learned. |
| demanded by employers which you possess, the | | | | Whenever you identify a technique that worked well |
| general and specific job skills in your repertoire) and | | | | for you, make note of the details. When you debrief |
| your weekly job search schedule. If you have more | | | | yourself after an interview, make notations regarding |
| than one resume, number each one so you can keep | | | | what went well and any weaknesses or problem |
| track of which version you use with each potential | | | | areas you need to work on. If you believe that you |
| employer. | | | | made mistakes, write out the details and figure out |
| 2. This part consists of job leads from classifieds, | | | | how to avoid repeating them. |
| postings, website job applications completed, job fair | | | | 10. Jobs that didn't fit. You may tend to think of this |
| brochures and related information. Hole-punch | | | | as your "rejections" pile but always remember that |
| complete page size documents. For small ads, tape | | | | not getting a job you want is not a personal |
| the cut out slips onto a blank sheet and leave plenty | | | | rejection of you but merely reflects the fact that |
| of room around each ad to make notes - when you | | | | someone else was a better fit. Keep all "Thanks, but |
| applied, how you applied, and when follow up is | | | | no thanks" letters here with any notes you may |
| needed. If you obtain business cards from in-person | | | | have regarding the details. Store those ubiquitous |
| applications or job fairs (where you should be able to | | | | postcards noting that your resume was received and |
| collect a lot of them), slip them into the pocket | | | | will be considered, in your pocket page. File a copy of |
| pages and write any pertinent information on the | | | | e-mails received acknowledging receipt of online |
| back of each card -where you obtained it, any special | | | | applications. |
| details about the person, if follow up might be | | | | If you find such an organizer helpful, you can |
| worthwhile and when. | | | | continue the same technique when you start a new |
| 3. This section is for resumes submitted. File a copy | | | | job and materials are coming fast and furiously. Then |
| of all cover letters submitted and, if applicable, note | | | | use one for your on-going networking to keep your |
| the number of the resume you attached. Make notes | | | | contact list warm and secure by continuing to |
| of any responses received or follow up telephone | | | | acknowledge their help and to schedule an occasional |
| numbers. You may also include here the names and | | | | hello and update. |
| details of any agencies where you registered or head | | | | |