About.com’s job search expert Alison Doyle recently put out a query to a number of career strategists and founders of leading job sites for job search tips for an upcoming article.
Here are seven of the eleven responses she received, with advice on how to land your next great gig. Go to her article, Best Job Hunting Tips, for the full tips:
• Establish Goals – by Penny Loretto, Associate Director, Skidmore College and the About.com Guide to Internships
Avoid burnout by creating a doable plan with concrete goals.
• Stay Focused on Your Job Search – by Margaret Riley Dikel, author, RileyGuide.com
Stick with the resources and networking opportunities that focus on your target companies and industry.
• Get Current Job Listings – by GL Hoffman, CEO, LINKUP.com and JobDig.com
If you’re going to use job boards, go to ones like his LinkUp, which aggregates only current listings from company websites.
• Know What Makes You Stand Out – by William Arruda, founder of Reach, author of Career Distinction
Understand your brand. Determine what differentiates you from your job search competition and create your career marketing tools around that unique value you offer.
• Research the Company – by Avram Piltch, Online Editorial Director at LAPTOP Magazine
Devote at least two hours to researching the company online before each interview.
• Stalk the Company (Almost) – by William Fischer, co-founder of TwitJobSearch.com
Hiring managers are spreading the word on social media about job openings, before spending money on advertising them. Stay active on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to learn about the opportunities before everyone else does.
• Relocate For a New Job – by Jay Martin, Chairman, JobSerf
Be willing to go where the jobs are, possibly at your own expense.
• And my contribution – Identify Companies That Are a Fit:
“Don’t even think about starting a job search campaign without first identifying and researching companies that will be a mutual good fit, so that you can build your brand and all your career marketing communications around what will resonate with them. If you don’t know who your target audience is and you try to cover too many bases, your resume and other career documents won’t hit home with anyone.”
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Very good post. I would also add to your list that the job seeker stick to setting aside a certain number of hours every week and commit those hours to the job search. For example, possibly taking two hours a day between the hours of 8 PM and 10 PM to research companies, send out resumes, and send follow-up e-mails and correspondence (understanding that they are currently employed full-time). By keeping to a set schedule they will become highly productive and hopefully gain that sought after position they so desperately seek. Thanks for the info!
Thanks for your comment, Dave.
Excellent advice! With any project, especially a major one like job search, creating and sticking to a plan is critical. Not only will you get things done, but a schedule will help you stay focused and get that wonderful feeling of accomplishment, as you check things off your to-do list.
Best,
Meg