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