The 5 P’s of a job search
Step One: Plan:
Most people spend more time planning a one- or two-week vacation than they do planning their career for life. When you plan a vacation, you look at where you want to go, what your reason is for wanting to go that particular place, how long it will take to get there, whether or not you want to take extra trips, what kind of budget you’ll need, and what kind of clothes you will need to bring. You can also talk to people who have been there to find out a little more about the destination and activities or do some research on the Internet, at the library or at a travel agency.
It’s important to do the same kind of planning for a career. You need to take a look at where you want to go and how you are going to get there. You will need to consider: whether or not you need post-secondary education or some type of training. How long will it take you to get the skills you need? What is the best way to get these skills? What kind of money do you need for the lifestyle you want? Think about whether or not you know someone who is currently working in this field or if you know someone who knows someone who works in this field. Where else can you go for more information?
If you are still in school, talk to a guidance counselor and ask for information. You can also do informational interviews with people who work in the field you’re interested in. Another option is to talk to a career counselor or take some career tests.
If you’re out of school, contact an employment agency to speak with a counselor or do some personal research at the library, as well as network and put your contacts to good use.
Step Two – Prepare:
Preparing for your job search involves taking a comprehensive personal inventory to determine your transferable and adaptive skills. Learning more about your skills prepares you to tell an employer the skills you have that match the job you’d like to have. This takes time. It may involve filling out a questionnaire or sitting down and writing down all the things you’ve done over the years. It’s not just about listing your job description, since most people do more than what’s listed in the job description, it also includes activities you do at home.
Most of us take our abilities for granted. We are so used to doing certain tasks that we don’t recognize that not everyone can do what we are doing. We also don’t always recognize the skills we use in our daily activities: problem solving, decision making, driving, appliance repair, food preparation, personal counseling. People may express amazement or be impressed by something we take for granted. Listen to what they are saying. This is a great skill for you and can become a career goal.
Once you’ve reviewed your skills, you can work on developing a 30-second summary of these skills, also known as an “elevator pitch,” that can be used during a phone contact, in your cover letter, in an interview, or when talking to friends about your job search.
Preparing also means researching the companies you would like to work for. This research can be done in the library, through personal contact, informational interviews, reading newspaper articles, or an informal visit or tour.
Developing a specific resume is another crucial step. A specific resume is one that highlights specific skills to demonstrate your suitability for an employer. Provide details of their work experiences that match the skills they might require. A cover letter should also be prepared for a target employer.
Another part of preparation is reviewing potential interview questions and determining the type of information you want to provide or are expected to provide to an employer. After this, you should practice talking about yourself so that you feel comfortable presenting yourself to an employer.
People often think about preparing a resume and maybe a cover letter in response to a job advertisement, but then forget to prepare for the interview. Although a good resume and cover letter can open the door, the interview is what gets you the job.
Step Three: Practice:
Practice!! How many people would be on the ice in an NHL game without practicing? How many people would go on stage to sing or act without several rehearsals? How many Olympic athletes would compete without any preparation? Very few, if any, and yet when we don’t practice our interview techniques, it’s comparable to doing one of the above.
Practice can be done with a friend, family member, or counselor. There are many books available that provide sample questions and sample answers. Feedback on your interview skills may involve peers, general comments, and/or videotapes. Here are some sample questions for you to use:
·Tell me about you.
What are you looking for in a job?
How long would it take you to make a significant contribution?
·Why are you looking for a new career?
How would your boss describe you?
How would your peers describe you?
What were the five most significant achievements in your last position?
·What are your strengths?
What are your weak points?
A videotape is a great way to see yourself as an employer would see you. You can dress like you would for an interview and have someone you know act as the interviewer. Then you can notice how he drives, how he sits, and how he responds to questions. For example, did you give enough information or too much information? You can also note if you have clothes you don’t know about. This will help you feel comfortable presenting your skills to an employer.
When you think of the years of training it takes for a hockey player to reach the skill level of an NHL player, or the years a dancer spends practicing before performing at the NAC, a few hours of practicing her techniques of interview/presentation are not enough. I’m not asking too much.
Step Four – Perform:
Think of your interview as a performance. You need to prepare (research the employer, practice interview questions), dress appropriately (dress for the job you’re applying for), and have the right equipment (copy of resume, references, folder, and pen) to show you’re ready to do the job. worked.
The first two or three minutes of your interview are the most important. An employer usually makes a decision based on your appearance and your opening presentation. It is important that you make the most of these precious minutes.
A smile is a big part of your wardrobe. If smiling doesn’t come naturally to you, practice in front of a mirror until you feel comfortable. Make sure your body language doesn’t send the wrong message. Don’t cross your arms over your chest or keep looking at the clock. Check your appearance, both standing and sitting, in a mirror. It’s important to try to relax, but don’t hunch over your flesh. Don’t chew gum during your interview, and if you’re a smoker, try smoking your last cigarette at least 10 minutes before your interview and freshen your breath with a breath mint.
Another important point is to never say anything negative about your previous employer. It can make the employer wonder what you would say about them, and you never know who is related to whom.
Make sure you have some questions to ask the employer. Not “how much money will I make and how much vacation time will I have?” but questions that show you have researched the employer and have some knowledge of their company. Make a list of possible questions to ask. If the interviewer has been very thorough and can’t think of any questions, at least find out when he will make a decision and ask if it’s okay to follow up.
Here are some sample questions you can ask.
Why is this position open?
What are some of the most difficult problems one would have to face in this position?
What significant changes do you see in the near future?
What are some of the goals you would like to see fulfilled in this job?
What are some long-term goals that you would like to see completed?
How is one evaluated in this position?
What explains the success within the company?
Step five – Post mortem:
Once your interview is over, review it in your mind. Was there something you should have said that you didn’t say, or something you said that you shouldn’t have said? Make a mental note or write how you felt about the interview. By reviewing your interview, you can prepare for the next one.
Once you get home, it’s time to prepare a thank you letter. In this letter, you thank the interviewers for their time and the opportunity to learn more about the company. Express your appreciation for the way you handled the interview, the information provided, etc., as well as your desire to work for the company. If there was anything you forgot to tell them about your skills during the interview, or any information you said you would give them, now is your chance to do so.
Don’t forget to follow up a week or two after your interview to indicate that you are still interested in being considered for the position and to check whether or not a decision has been made. If they have hired and you are not the selected candidate, ask for permission to call back in case there are other openings in the future and let them know you would like to be considered.
Remember that you usually have to go through about 200 “no’s” before you get to a “yes”. Try to keep a positive attitude about your job search by sticking to a routine and talking to as many people as possible about your job search. Let everyone know that you are currently unemployed and tell them the type of job you are looking for. Attend job search workshops or consider joining a job search club for additional support during your job search.