Some job search techniques generate better results than others. If you have ever sat home wondering why your phone refuses to ring even though you have sent out dozens of resumes, you need to view this presentation. Learn why it is necessary to create a job search strategy, how to do it, and which techniques are most effective. For more job search tips from the experts, visit us at www.distinctiveweb.com or follow us at: Twitter: http://twitter.com/distinctivedocs Facebook: http://facebook.com/DistinctiveDocuments Google+: http://plus.google.com/+Distinctivewebofficial LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/michelledumas

1. THE TRUTH ABOUT JOB
HUNTING

2. We all know people who are frustrated in their job search because they’ve
sent out hundreds of resumes, without getting one acknowledgment, let alone
an interview. In fact, you may be enduring this type of job hunting bad luck
yourself.
It’s important to step back from your job search and look at the situation
candidly. It’s not bad luck, it’s bad strategy. Or worse, no strategy.

3. You’ll continue to suffer through
your job search until you realize
you must make a plan and focus
on what is most impactful and
“cost-effective” in order to get
results. Sending out resumes in
response to ads online, in the
newspaper classifieds, or on job
boards is usually not cost- or time-
effective.

4. So how should you begin your new job search? Your new
job hunting strategy should be both more specific and more
personal. First, think about a company or sector you’re
experienced in and enjoy. Think first about things like, “who
do I know that works there, or used to? Who do I know that
knows someone who works there or used to? What do I
know about the company?”

5. WHY IS A NEW JOB HUNTING
STRATEGY NECESSARY?
Unless you have very
specialized, hard-to-replicate
knowledge, education or
training, most employers would
rather hire people they know.
Failing that, they’d rather hire
someone that their neighbor’s
friend knows. Any connection is
better than none. Why?

6. It’s about trust. Put yourself in the place of the
hiring manager or business owner. Wouldn’t you
rather hire someone you know is responsible, and
can be counted on to get the work done?
Wouldn’t you rather hire someone who gets along
well with others? These and other basic trust and
dependability questions would go through your
mind, if you were on the other side of the job
interview

7. You’d be surprised how many job hunting interviewees (in
general) do not have those basic essentials for success in
any workplace. If the boss hires someone they don’t know at
all, they may find out the person is undependable (or worse)
a couple months after hiring them. They the employer would
have to put up with the bad behavior, counsel the employee
and hope they perform better– or fire them.

8. If you went to Harvard, you may deserve
top consideration for a position, but your
education/school may not even be noticed
(your resume may never reach the hiring
manager’s desk) if someone hasn’t
vouched for you. Of course, part of an Ivy-
League education is networking.
It’s all but impossible to come out of
Harvard or another world-renowned
school, without some important
connections in your chosen field. The rest
of us have to make our own high-level
connections. What are the best ways to do
this?

9. WHY TRADITIONAL JOB
SEARCH METHODS FAIL
 Tons of competition – In the age of the Internet, there aren’t a lot
of secrets. Everyone sees the same job ads.
 Advertised jobs are often those that are difficult to fill for various
reasons – HR people cast a wide net to show the company that
they’re trying.
 Advertised jobs are often low-paying positions – In-the-know job
seekers or those seeking internal promotions have already filled
mid- to high-level jobs.
 Employers tend to hire people who are recommended vs. those
who respond to ads — to avoid costly hiring mistakes.
 Employers find advertising creates a lot of extra work — including
lots of administrative time screening responses, taking calls,
interviewing strangers.
 Most jobs are filled before ads are even needed — they’re filled
by trusted insiders, like you!

10. SPECIFIC JOB SEARCH
TECHNIQUES THAT WORK NOW
Open up:Being very open in your job search helps. Let
everyone know you are job hunting. There’s no longer any stigma to
changing jobs more often than in the past. It’s normal to spend more
time between jobs. People are naturally wired to want to help, even
if you don’t specifically ask. The world has become more social.
Social connections have gained value. You should ask for help from
those you feel comfortable with, but it’s not worth ruining a
relationship over.

11. Research:Besides getting info from company
insiders (or former insiders) go online to find out all about
the companies you may be targeting. Any insight about the
company’s mission, business model or workplace culture will
help. Make sure the information you dig up is accurate and
not just gossip. Don’t depend solely on Internet research.
Vet the info with first-person accounts from people you know
whenever possible.
If you find out the company is phasing out hardware, don’t
spend time in your interview touting your hardware acumen.
If you find out a lot about the company and are able to
demonstrate a bit of this in your interview, you’ll stand out. A
common interview question is “why would you like to work
for our company?” This is a great place to display your
knowledge, which shows you take initiative and are looking
for a career, not just a job.

12. Social media: Of course, networking in
your online ”neighborhood” can be a big help. Your cousin
(or Facebook friend, former co-worker, schoolmate) may know someone
they went to high school with years ago who is hiring for just the position
you need. You’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll be received if you
are a known quantity to the interviewer.

13. Join social groups (online and in-person
networks) that deal with your
industry: Locate some online industry forums where interesting
conversations about the state of the industry and new developments are going
on.

14. Look for “elite”
job ads:Job ads on
membership sites and job openings posted
on industry forums will be visible to a
smaller crowd of candidates. You’ll be able
to more easily see what (or who) your
connections are. Part of your job search
strategy is to be a bigger fish in a smaller
pond.

15. Build your own
brand:As you become comfortable,
participate in discussions, answer questions –
you’re building a reputation for yourself online.
(This should be happening whether you’re job
hunting or not.) How can you fail to get work if
you are well-known in your industry or a local
version thereof? If you have time, start your own
blog. This can be a double-edged sword if you
express controversial opinions about your
industry.

16. Volunteer or
“consult”:
You’ll be gaining new skills, wider
experience and adding to your resume,
even when you’re “out of work.” Don’t
even characterize this period as being
merely “unemployed” to your prospective
employers. The latter sounds passive.
You want to be seen as positive,
energetic and full of new ideas, because
you are.

17. Attend industry
conferences, events
and meet-ups:You’ll gain
more insight and make more connections. Now
that you have a job hunting strategy and are
reaching out, your job search will become much
less frustrating and isolating– it can even be fun!

18. Michelle Dumas runs of one
of the longest-standing and
most respected professional
résumé writing firms on the
internet, Distinctive Career
Services, LLC (dba Distinctive
Documents). Since 1996,
Michelle has empowered
thousands of professionals
with résumés that get results
and win jobs fast. Get insider
résumé writing tips that you
won't find anywhere else at
her website. Go now
to www.distinctiveweb.com
The Internet’s Résumé & Career Marketing
Specialists…Since 1996
www.distinctiveweb.com
resumes@distinctiveweb.com
(800) 644-9694
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