Archive for December, 2009
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #23
#23. If you’ve been fired or let go prepare a one sentence explanation that is succinct and brief. Practice saying it out loud until you can state it clearly, without emotion or defensiveness. This is important. Nothing derails an interview faster than whining about how you’ve been mistreated.
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #22
#22. Brush up on interview techniques. Prepare and rehearse your answers to the perennial interview questions: “Tell me about yourself” “What are you looking for” “Why are you looking” “Why did you leave your last position?” “What are your salary requirements?”
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #21
#21. Practice your elevator speech.
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #20
#20. Set up a system to track your job search – where you’ve sent your resume, who you’ve spoken with, when you need to follow up. It can be a spreadsheet, a database, or even a list.
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #19
#19. Research associations and niche boards that focus on your industry. Many have job postings or will allow you to post a blinded version of your resume.
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #18
#18. Create job search agents on the big boards and aggregators, e.g. Indeed, Simply Hired, Monster, CareerBuilder, so you’ll be alerted to positions that meet your criteria.
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #17
#17. Plan your strategy –identify target companies and industries, and look for contacts and connections for networking .
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #16
#16. Try on your “lucky” interview suit – especially if you spend your life in business casual. Make sure it’s clean and pressed, fits and you still feel like a million bucks when you wear it.
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #15
#15. Start saving up vacation and personal days for interviews, and leave some openings in your day planner for phone screens.
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #14
#14. Check your voicemail message – It should be professional and upbeat sounding. No rock music, chipmunks or kids.