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