I. INTRODUCTION
A. Background information on myself
- Where I am from
- Education
- Work Experience
- Current Situation
- Referral or cold call
- GETTING TO THE POINT
- Resume
b. suggestions
B. I am seeking information
- The industry
b. new innovations
c. employment
2. Particular field
a. typical day
b. responsibilities
c. career ladder
3. Qualifications
a. education
b. skills
c. training
C. What I know about the industry
III. CLOSING
A. Follow through
1. Restate goals
2. Show appreciation
B. Referrals
1. Try to get at least one referral
2. Keep them informed of progress
Keeping Track
Any time you have networked or have had an informational interview, you should keep track of them. You wrote your original contact on this list. Expand your list if that contact refers you to someone else.
You probably never thought having too many job leads would be a problem-but it can be. The more leads you follow, the more difficult it is to keep track of them. For each company you contact, research them, send a resume and cover letter, then follow through with a phone call. On top of that initial contact, keep these contacts appraised of your progress throughout your job search. Remember, they may not be able to help you now, but they might be able to in the future. Keep your contacts informed of your job search status so that you will be the first person they think of when they hear of an opening. That's why keeping track of them is so important! Your referral list will help you get organized so you will remember who you talked to and what was accomplished.
The Internet
Now that just about everyone has access to a computer, and many know how to dial into on-line information services, the job search process has taken on new dimensions. Job postings, resume databases, and several job and career research resources specialize in electronically matching employers with job seekers. Ambitious individuals who know how to exploit all available resources are adding the Internet and online services to their proactive job search. It's a great way to stand out. Employers receiving responses to their ads on the Internet are practically guaranteed applicants who know then-way around a computer. That's a plus for you-even if your computer-literate friend helped you!
The Internet has something for everyone, from the new grad to the seasoned professional; from the liberal arts major to the person re-entering the workforce. Job seekers can access job and career information through the expansive Internet or through specialized on-line services like America Online, CompuServe, Prodigy or Microsoft Network, to name a few.
The Internet itself is an enormous resource that includes employment-related information as well as many other topics. To find job search information, all you need is an "address" to navigate to your destination, or you can wander through menus until you find what you need (having an address is much easier, though).
Online services are an off-shoot of the Internet, each providing a variety of services, but all offering employment-related information. These services are easy to use and worth looking into. Some on-line services have full access to the Internet while others offer limited access. You should shop around for the on-line service that meets your needs and budget. This chapter focuses on these on-line services and how they can work for you.
Job Postings
Until recently, the vast majority of jobs listed online have been technically oriented. Now, you can find listings for just about everything as companies are drawn by the relatively low cost of placing openings on-line. Each on-line service has a different niche. Some maintain a database largely for white-collar jobs while others concentrate on specific companies from AT&T to small consulting firms.
Job postings can be searched by industry, occupation, location, or a combination of these. Depending on the online service, some charge a fee to the person placing the ad, while others charge the job-seeker who searches the listings. Some actually charge both! Either way, using the Internet is far more focused and economical than having out of state newspapers mailed to you.
View quickly . . .
Users should be aware of the associated costs of using on-line services such as long-distance phone charges or per hour charges. Until you can navigate quickly through these services, keep an eye on how long you are on the Internet; otherwise, you may end up with a bill you can ill afford. Time is definitely money. On-line charges vary from service to service and often change. Most on-line services charge a monthly fee, say $10.95, and then an hourly fee after your first five, or so, hours. On-line services at your school, state employment office, or library may be free and a good place to start. Check into those first-until you know your way around.
Listings change frequently on the Internet-as it is costly for an employer to pay for an out-dated advertisement. Check the listings regularly and respond immediately, and not just for one service. Investigate several. Finding a job is a numbers game. The more contacts you make, the better your chances of finding a job. You can easily respond to ads by mail, phone, fax, or on-line.
Resume Databases
Resume databases are on the rise with the computer's ability to handle massive amounts of information, and its ability to scan for specific information such as experience, skills, geographic preference, degree, and other qualifications.
Depending on the online service, resumes can be uploaded, or e-mailed, directly into the system; filled out on-line; or faxed to the service where they will be scanned or entered manually by the service's staff.
Again, cost is a factor. These services charge either the employer per search or the candidate identified by the search. However, if you look at the costs of sending thousands of resumes through the postal service, you will see the Internet can help you reach more people with substantially less cost.
Your resume can be viewed directly by a potential employer or searched by the staff of the database service. One thing to note: once your resume is put onto the system, it is stripped of any fancy fonts and bold or italicized type. You will need to rely on spacing and upper and lower case type to make your resume stand out.
Your resume could be scanned for specific information. For example, a resume can be scanned to search for nouns such as accountant, clerk, librarian, manager, or editor, or it can be scanned to look for verbs such as promoted, increased, improved, organized, or decreased. The best services will help you tailor your resume, qualifications, skills, and experience to the form their computer search recognizes.
