The Top Things to Do and Not Do in a Job Search by Greg David of Laka & Company. How to achieve the best results, while avoiding the typical mistakes in a job search. Times have changed in a job search. Are your job search skills still relevant and current? More than 95% of professionals fail to be relevant and current. They may not have directly caused their unemployment, yet they virtually create it’s lengthy and painful timeline due to poor and outdated mindset, philosophy, strategy, activities, and lack of clarity as to what essential things to do, and stop doing that create job search failure in this new labor market models and cycles.

1. TheTop Do’s and Don’ts
When Conducting a Job
Search.

2.  Tell that to 10-15% of the US job force that lands
quickly.With multiple offers.
 Let others believe that. You need to learn the
“secrets” of navigating the job market.
 People are getting hired all the time. It might as well
be you.
 If you want to get there, you need to change your
beliefs, thoughts, ideas, words, actions, strategies,
and habits.

3.  Proprietary databases.
 Social media.
 Branding.
 Subject Matter Expertise info easily findable.
 Actively growing networks.
 Learn and grow daily. Repeat!
 2017 etiquette experts.
 SEO daily.

4.  While the economy affects all things, the real
issue in the “job” world is the lack of
responsibility and literacy that working
professionals take and have for their future.
 Remember, the #1 model for career
management in this country has been: “Happy?
Don’t look. Unhappy? Look!”.

5.  This model doesn’t work. Use of this model is the
main ticket for entry into a well-known club: The
LongTerm Unemployed.
 This model emphasizes slowed learning,
complacency, small networks, limited thinking,
and being an uneducated consumer.

7.  You have to GIVE before you receive.
 Know your value & brand.
 Be able to articulate your value & brand.
 Know your occupational worth & future demand.
 www.bls.gov
 Make it easy to work with you & be reachable.
 Do not focus onYOUR need.
 Work daily to become more 2017 “literate”.

8. Respect your time. It is the most precious
gift which life & God provide daily.
Respect the time of others more. Don’t take
it if you do not need it. If you do take it, take
25% of what you need.
When others help you, help others who are
in need, or perhaps do not even know they
need help.

9. The meaning of life is found in helping others.
Relationships are the central backbone to all things:
professionally, socially, friends, family, ourselves, and with
our faith. Relationships are at the center of all.
If we cannot have a good relationship with God and our
faith we are limited in the relationship we can have with
ourselves.
The quality of our relationship with ourselves determines
our ability to have meaningful relationships with others.

10. Our relationships with others determines our
legacy, contribution, value, and destiny.
Learn to think, speak, contribute, and
evolve. Help others do the same.
Here is the natural order: Give first. Then
receive.

12. There is
NO
magic
pill.

13. Most people in search mode experience death by a
million SMALL cuts.
They endure more pain and suffer longer not
because of the market, but because of the poor
choices they make.
They lengthen their search timelines and create their
own obstacles.

14.  Focus on easy activities.
 Focus on highly competitive
activities.
 Spend most of their time at
home.
 Don’t spend money on their
search.
 Don’t have a financial
budget.
 Don’t measure their failure
and success.
 Don’t “study” for success.
 Don’t have timelines, goals,
and deadlines.
 Become more flexible as
they get more desperate.
 Put limitations on their
search.
 Focus on being busy instead
of getting results.
 Don’t hold themselves
accountable.
 Don’t create meaningful
change daily, weekly, etc.

15. Although it is a marathon,YOU NEEDTO SPRINT. DO NOT PACE
YOURSELF. How you begin your search is critical to the overall success
of your job search. Most people put limits on their search, do not get
all the cylinders going at once, and ease their way into it. This
guarantees a long painful search.

16.  Every day that you do not learn adds days,
weeks, months to your search.
 There is no such thing as ‘ramping up’ or ‘pacing
yourself’.
 Job seekers who hold their own feet to the fire,
expect more of themselves daily, get to the finish
line faster.

17. DO: DON’T:
 Prepare written goals on all
activity items.
 Read daily on topics in a job
search.
 Invest $ in your search.
 Avoid ALL negativity.
 Work 10 hours a day minimum.
 Memorize Powerpoints attached
to my LINKEDIN profile.
 Procrastinate and ease into
your search.
 Put limits on your search in
any way.
 Make search firms and job
boards your main diet.
 “Strangle the baby” or kill your
network.
 Do what you have done in the
past in job search mode.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/gregdavid

18.  Do not place any limitations on your search. You
do not know where the next job offer will come
from. Within reason, interview for any job,
anywhere, anytime—no exceptions.
 Over 30% of job offers come from a connection
made during a previous opportunity pursued.

19.  Exercise will allow you to:
 Burn off stress and frustration.
 Have more energy.
 Increase your self-esteem and personal confidence.
 Feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally.
 Outperform other candidates.
 Look better.
 Sleep better and stay healthier.
 Develop greater discipline that carries over.
 Avoid “knee-jerking”.

20.  Physical fitness is 60% what you eat, and 40%
physical activity.
 Research how your food choices directly impact
the success of your job search and later, your
long term health.
 Learn to eat things that make you feel better,
think better, be happier, and look better.
 GIGO: Garbage in, Garbage out. Your choice!

21.  Amazon.com
 Search on what job seekers and interviewers are reading.
 i.e. behavioral interviewing techniques and ‘how to’
interview books.
 Recommended readings:
 ‘Who Moved My Cheese’ and anything by Dr. Spencer
Johnson or Ken Blanchard or Og Mandino. Also—read a
book of worship of your choice and reflect for 30 minutes
daily.

22.  Make it daily, and read like your life depends on it.
Those that land quickly DEVOUR information.
 Subscribe to daily emails for meditation, prayer,
positive mental attitude, job search techniques, job
search articles, interview tips, SME content, etc.
 More recommended readings:
 “Notes From a Friend” byTony Robbins.
 “The Power of Six Sigma” by Subir Chowdhury.
 “ NO EXCUSES” by BrianTracy.

23. In a unidirectional search, candidates
throw as much as they can against the wall,
hoping it sticks.
They blame the job market, corporate
America, recruiters, competition, off-
shoring, outsourcing, politicians, and more.
The reality is they choose to use an
outdated process instead of adapting to the
new marketplace.
It is this process and zone that delays their
job search and makes it less rewarding.
They prefer the pain of unemployment to
the pain of conducting a successful search.
 An “old style” job search
is unidirectional
meaning that
candidates chase jobs.
 This is an outdated,
irrelevant type of search
that takes a very long
time, and is very painful.

24.  Sending resumes out to
search firms manually.
 Searching the job boards
manually.
 Using job search engines
manually.
 Sending resumes out to
corporations manually.
 Going to networking
events to find a job.
 Spending most of your
time at home.
 Spending most of your
time on a computer.
 Spending most of your
time not in business
dress.
 Spending most of your
time looking for jobs to
apply for.

25.  Emailing or calling to
keep your name in front
of recruiters or
companies.
 Applying online makes
up most activity.
 Building a ‘network’
that consists of mostly
people from your
industry.
 Trying to tell others
who you are when you
feel you fit their need.
 Trying to change your
experience to fit their
need.
 Emailing, mailing,
calling, writing to get
noticed.

26. A unidirectional job search is activity focused outward
from the job seeker to the marketplace in an effort to
get noticed through emails, applying on-line, random
sending of resumes, make believe electronic
networking, and self centered instant gratification
that yields little measurable positive return for time
invested.

27. A unidirectional job search is a PUSH approach.
This is how you appear to others when you
PUSH.

29. Fifth challenge: Doing a
BIDIRECTIONAL job search.

30. A bidirectional job search is one that focuses
on doing SURGICALLY and STRATEGIC
activities that allow others to find you.

31. It is proactive, and covers all bases.
The key to a bidirectional job search is making it easy for others
to findYOU, often when they do not advertise a job that you fit.
To do this successfully, you must do things very differently.

33. What you know is not important if no one knows
who you are. Your experience and knowledge is
irrelevant.
Who you know is equally not important. This is
dated thinking.

34. People used to say that it is not what you know, it is who you
know. People who say and believe that show they are dated
and irrelevant.
Consider this: You can have 100% of the most influential people
in your industry in your cell phone address book. But if you
are not in theirs, AND they do not think of you when they
have a need, AND they do not take specific action to contact
YOU, then it does not matter.

35. Relevant and current thinking is:
Who knowsYOU?
Who knows you exist?
Who can find you (SME)?

36. A bidirectional job search is one that focuses very early
energy & activity on penetrating proprietary
databases with your information, on building a
“brand” and identity for others to find you, and on
continuing to do this on an ongoing basis (daily,
weekly, monthly).

37. A bidirectional search is what should occupy
most of each day, and it radically shortens
time in the market.

38. It is all about the PULL. PULL is good.

39.  Makes a job search more
fun.
 Makes a job search faster.
 Allows you greater
control over your results.
 Makes a job search less
competitive.
 Makes a job search easier.
 Taps you into a market
that most job seekers do
not venture into unless by
accident.
 Makes you more
attractive to recruiters
and hiring organizations.
 Shows you are a more
relevant, intelligent,
savvy, and desirable job
seeker.

40.  Use automated tools to distribute resumes to search
firms and hiring organizations.
 Create your brand & identity on public sites.
 Make it easy for those with needs to findYOU!

41. Use resume distribution tools to automate
penetrating proprietary corporate recruitment &
agency recruitment databases---BEFORE they
have openings you fit.

42.  Create search agents to automate finding jobs you fit:
 Major job boards (Monster, DICE, CareerBuilder, etc).
 www.indeed.com & www.simplyhired.com
 www.linkup.com & www.slideshare.com
 www.twitter.com & www.instagram.com
 www.youtube.com & www.plus.google.com
 Author Powerpoints and whitepapers and put on Internet.
 Volunteer time to speak at event panels.
 Volunteer time to be a guest speaker or lecturer.
 Be known as a Subject Matter Expert.

43. Automating your job search means that these “job agents” run by themselves
daily, and your email box is populated automatically each day.
This frees you up to spend time on other things, and therein the power lies.
Others will be toiling and doing low return work as their “core focus” and this
will give you a substantial competitive edge.
They will be busy ‘chasing jobs’ where they are competing with hundreds and
thousands of other candidates.
You will be able to focus on surgical and strategic activity.
Laugh all the way to the finish line!

45.  Do have your FULL CONTACT INFO available.
 Do NOT use the header or footer of the document.
 Do NOT send resume out as a PDF (txt & doc only).
 Do NOT have graphics, borders, pics, formatting.
 Do have your resume written by a professional.
 Do NOT use your middle name or initial in resume.
 Do NOT use initials in a resume (i.e. G.D.Smith).
 Do NOT have ‘education’ up front unless new grad.

46.  FULL CONTACT INFO means:
 Full name.
 Full residential address including phone numbers.
 Full email address.
 Full LinkedIn profile URL address.
 Relevant social media profile URL addresses.
Make sure they are CLICKABLE LINKS (except for txt).

47.  The most overlooked yet critical element of
resumes is that they areATS (ApplicantTracking
System) COMPLIANT.
 The next most overlooked yet critical element of
resumes is that they are PARSING COMPLIANT.
 The default of many ATS/Parsing tools is ‘delete’.

48.  Good looking resumes are brought to the
interview. They are never used to apply online, or
to populate proprietary corporate or agency
databases.
 For applying online, or for penetrating
proprietary databases, use the UGLY RESUME
(text, no formatting, traditional structure). ONLY!
 Emailing? Send BOTH!

49.  Do NOT have certifications or degrees included
with your name.
 Do NOT use same resume for all positions.
 Do NOT have a summary or objective.
 Do NOT hide your address or contact info.
 Do NOT write a third party resume.
 Do use ONLY a chronological resume with scope.

50.  Most resumes have typos. Don’t be a Sh*t Supervisor.
 Don’t rely on spell check. Don’t rely on just your eyes.
 Never proof read a resume or email on the screen. Print
it. You will catch more errors.
 Over Capitalization is a typo. So is intermittent use of
periods in bullets. OUCH!

51.  Do use OUTLOOK.This is critical.
 Do use LIVEINBOX (www.liveinbox.com)
 Do set up your email account using your first and last name with
no initials or abbreviations.
 Do use SimplyFile (www.techhit.com/simplyfile/)
 Do use LINKEDIN.com (Job seeker version—not free)
 Do use www.Gwabbit.com.
 Do have a COMPLETE signature in ALL emails (even replies)
including a brand that describes you.
 Do have a work type email ONLY (i.e. john.doe@gmail.com).
 Include FULL CONTACT DATA in ALL REPLIES (including
phone).

52.  Do NOT use your middle initial or name in your email
signature or in your electronic business card.
 Do NOT become a “RESUME SPAMMER”. Only apply for jobs
that you fit.
 Do NOT play “RESUME HORSESHOES” and apply because
you are close.
 Do NOT use certifications or degrees in signature or contact
info.
 Do NOT send your resume blindly.
 Do NOT keep emailing your resume or sending empty follow
up emails just to keep your name in front of them.

53.  Do NOT use EARTHLINK,Yahoo, SBCglobal, AOL,
Prodigy, AT&T, Comcast, Hotmail, etc. for email.
 Do NOT have your Facebook photo be anything other
than 100% professional.
 Use a professional photo for LINKEDIN.
 Do back up your computer and your address book online
with a backup service.
 Do use ACT! or an online contact manager like
salesforce.com.
 Do have at least 10 recommendations on LINKEDIN,
with most from past supervisors or people above you.

54.  Do get a SMART phone with email and Internet
access and use ONLY that phone number on ALL
correspondence. REPLIES from phone need to
include FULL CONTACT INFORMATION!!!
 Do NOT write anything negative anywhere on
the Internet, even in private groups, or on
Facebook. AVOID POLITICS. ALWAYS!ALWAYS!

55.  Sit, don’t stand.
 Smile into a mirror in front of you.
 Have paper/ pens for info gathering.
 Listen to the question and answer the question quickly,
using facts & figures. Ask if you answered the question
or if they would like more information.
 Avoid background noise (i.e. kids, pets,TV, music, etc).
 ONLY use land lines for a phone interview. No cell
phones! NEVER USE SPEAKERPHONE!!!

56.  Do research (Role, company, industry, pain points,
individuals, trends, history, etc).
 Be prepared (Behavioral, group, panel,
psychological, aptitude, dining, video conferencing,
itineraries, examples of work, etc).
 Be timely (Don’t be late, but don’t be too early. 15
minutes is perfect).

57.  Know your body language---Practice in front of
mirror and/or video tape yourself while responding
to 50 interview questions you can prepare for.
 Know your voice quality---Audio record your phone
interviews and conversations with recruiters to ‘self
evaluate’ your performance later (note: recording
others without their permission is illegal and in
violation of certain state, federal laws).

58.  Have printed information---Firm, job description,
history, trends, ‘pain points’, interviewers profiles
on LinkedIn, etc).
 Have pre-written questions----They need to be
intelligent, well thought out, and make a positive
impression on the interviewer.
 Have examples of work---Make it relevant. You
can also create examples of what you have done
from memory if you do not have this now.

59.  How do I compare to the other people that you
are interviewing?
 How do I compare to your “ideal” candidate?
 How do I compare to the person that was in the
role last?
 What weaknesses do you perceive in my
background or experience?
 What strengths do you perceive in my
background or experience?
 What may I do to strengthen my candidacy for
employment with your organization?

60.  Never bring up money, benefits, title, perks, etc.
 Never play hard to get, brag, or put a gun to their
head.
 Never try to control, or speed up the process.
 Never hold them accountable to timetable.
 Never go off on tangents.
 Never say anything negative, even if it is true.
 Never comment poorly on a company, person, issue,
etc. NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

61.  Never “step on their heels” with follow up.
 Never say “NO” until you have an offer, and even
then, suggest alternatives instead of rejecting an
offer.
 Never share where you are interviewing with
anyone! Don’t allow family to share either!
 Never tell anyone why you are researching a
particular firm when preparing. NEVER!

62.  Why do you want to work here?
 Why do you want this job?
 Why should we considerYOU?
 Why are you unemployed? Still unemployed?
 Why are you here today?
 Why do you want to work in this industry?
 Why do you stand out versus all the other
candidates?

63.  Don’t hold them to their commitments.
 Don’t hold them to their earlier interest level.
 Don’t become part of the problem.
 Don’t “choke the baby” by hugging too much or too
strongly.
 Don’t try to control the situation or process.
 Don’t blindly follow up or check on status.
 Don’t take it personally.

64.  Who can you help?Who can you mentor?
 Who can you team up with (different skills)?
 WhatVALUE do you offer? Who cares?
 Why should others partner with you?
 Make them heroes! Make them love you!
 Help them connect to others!
 Choose your network wisely. Be choosy!

65.  LinkedIn and similar tools: Do NOT link to anyone
and everyone. You will devalue your network.
 Don’t blindly recommend people for openings. Most
of the time you will be wrong and will damage
organizations and search firms you want to help you.
 If you really want to help, give them all the names
of people you know who fit.
 It takes 100 names to find 4 qualified people.

66.  Find your past bosses and peers and have their
current contact info prepared to leave behind.
 Get their permission to give their info out.
 Understand peers may be hired instead of you.
 Don’t offer unless asked. Don’t include with resume.
 Know what they will say. They must be credible.
Many references are not favorable.

67.  Follow up must ENHANCE their perception of
you. MOST FOLLOW UPS DOTHE OPPOSITE!
 Send well written thank you notes. Must not be
fluff. Include specifics from interview.
 Follow ups must include white papers, articles to
share, examples of work, testimonials, etc.
 Emails must be well written. Spell check will NOT
catch all errors.

68.  The average job seeker gets a job offer they
accept after making 500 new meaningful
employment contacts.
 The length of time it takes you to make these
contacts is up to you.
 Most delay the timetable and lengthen their job
search.
 It is all up to you! Get back to work faster!

69.  Have an accountability partner!
 Have metrics and do daily, weekly, monthly
reporting.
This should cause you to make small changes and
implement new ideas on an ongoing basis---
something most job seekers do little of.

70.  What type of role?Why?
 What type of co?Why?
 What industry?Why?
 What size co?Why?
 What culture?Why?
 Your strengths?
 Your weaknesses?
 Successes?Why?
 Failures?Why?
 Dream companies?Why?
 Type of boss?Why?
 What challenges you?
 What do you enjoy?
 Hobbies?
 Last book read?
 FavoriteTV programs?
 Favorite movies?
 Favorite classes in
school?

71.  Resume
 Online application
 Paper application
 Receptionist
 Meeting HR
 Inexperienced people
 Parking lot people
 Elevator people
 Hallway people
 Other candidates
 Psychological profile
 Final interview
 Driving to interview
 Driving home
 Meeting with realtor
 Meeting benefits people
 Meeting subordinates
 Meeting peers

72.  Networking: Do you focus on yourself or others?
 Job Clubs: Do you focus on yourself or others?
 Volunteer initiatives: Why are you not involved?
 Faith based groups: Why are you not involved?
 Children’s groups: Why are you not involved?
 Hospital: Why are you not involved?
 Retirement home:Why are you not involved?
 Political causes: Why are you not involved?
 Town or village efforts:Why are you not involved?

73.  In addition to the obstacles and issues covered today,
there is one larger issue and obstacle that is 100% self
created.
 Implement change as soon as you learn about it.
 Don’t delay. Don’t procrastinate. Do it now.
 This type of behavior is contagious and magical.
 It leads to a ‘snowball effect’ where good things begin
happening all around you. It takes on a life of it’s own.
 But you have to startTODAY and create that spark!

74. I’m pretty sure you are
thinking this right now!

75. Good thing I’m not in your
house right now!

76. Because I have a little
more to say!

77.  Do NOT use examples or templates of resumes,
cover letters, thank-you notes, etc. Just the
thought of this is wrong on so many levels.

78.  NEVER claim to think (or say) you are a “perfect”
or “ideal fit” for a role.
 Hint: Most job specs have requirements held
back for a number of reasons.

79.  Do NOT use title to describe
yourself.
 Do NOT use title to describe what
you are looking for.
 Do NOT analyze title to measure
interest in a role.

80.  Do NOT apply for roles based on
title.
 Do NOT reject a role based on
title.
 These actions demonstrate
dated & poor thinking.

81.  Do NOT use an inverse funnel
approach in a job search.
 Use a FUNNEL APPROACH as if
you were running a critical
project at work.
 2/3’rds of people land from prior
activities.

82.  Do NOT use real titles on
LinkedIn. Use FUNCTIONAL
titles.
 Have a FUNCTIONALTITLE
resume.
 Have your CONTACT info on
LinkedIn in 4 places!

83. If you do NOT know
what you are doing, or
how to improve, don’t
experiment with harmful
concoctions!
Get help from someone
who can help you learn,
do, and WIN!

84.  Step 1: Get more ‘human views’.
 Step 2: Place no limits.
 Step 3: Make everyone fall in love with you.
 Step 4: Create options.
 Step 5: Play chess---not checkers!
 Step 6: Brand and evangelize on your SME!
 Step 7: Be findable.

85.  Step 8: Give first.
 Step 9:Take no time unnecessarily.
 Step 10: Anxiety is a sign to do more, not get
clarification from your current activity.
 Step 11: Do not tell your story.
 Step 12: Have goals.
 Step 13: Have a daily plan.

86.  Step 14: Have metrics. LinkedIn has more than
20. Why don’t you know that?
 Step 15: Be career minded. Not job minded.
 Step 16: Know what checklist questions are and
how to handle them.
 Step 17: Know what behavioral interview
questions are and how to handle them.
 Step 18: Reshare “jobs” on LinkedIn &Twitter.

87.  Step 19: Be active (7) in social media---DAILY!
 Step 20: On LinkedIn, GROUPS is where your
primary focus should be.
 Step 21: Document everything.
 Step 22: Make it easy for them to process you.
Not moving forward for a role you cannot get to
interview or offer for is a gift. Realize that.
 Step 23: Every job is temporary. Learn & live it.
 Step 24:Write LI recommendations for others.

88.  Step 25: If you are struggling, you’re alive! Enjoy
it!
 Step 26: If that doesn’t help, pray.
 Step 27: After praying, find a hug or kick.
 Step 28:The past does not equal the future. Heck
it doesn’t even equal the present. Get moving!
 Step 29: Be grateful. Daily.
 Step 30: Smile. Learn to laugh.

89.  Step 31: Get over the ‘rocks in your shoe’. Lots of
other people wish they had such small rocks. Or
shoes. Or both.
 Step 32:You can get better results the second
you decide you want them.
 Step 33: If you are in pain, find the nearest doctor
or priest/minister/rabbi/shaman, etc. Otherwise
find someone to help you learn what to do.

90.  Step 34:Your job search has an expiration date.
So do you. Act accordingly.
 Step 35:Your job search is an opportunity for you
to have a party, have pity, or be in pain. You are
the conductor of that experience.
 Step 36:We are where we are, because of the
decisions we have made. Own it. Accept 100%
responsibility. Now you move forward.

91.  Step 37: Use this opportunity to become that
best version of yourself. Examine every area of
your existence. Identify who you are, who you
want to become, and what you have to do to get
there.
 Step 38: Don’t try. Do. There is no try. Only do.
 Step 39: Don’t forget to breathe. Very important.

92.  Step 40: First learn stand. Then learn fly.
Nature’s rule. Not mine.
 Step 41: Learn lesson for whole life.Whole life
have balance. Everything be better.
 Step 42:Trust the quality of what you know. Not
quantity.
 Step 43:We make sacred pact. I promise teach
you. You promise learn. I say.You do. No
questions.

94. Here is your first challenge:
Be the light, not the moth.
Learn what that means &
apply it.
Stop using the old model.
Learn the new model & use it.
Remember, every job is
temporary.

95. Here is your second
challenge:
Share with others what you
have learned today.
Help others learn the new
model.
The more people you help,
the better.

96. Greg David, President
Laka & Company
Greg.david@Laka.com
312-528-9107
www.linkedin.com/in/gregdavid
www.twitter.com/gregdavidlaka