NAAHP Blog

Are you ready to start job seeking? Before you start aimlessly applying for jobs, understand that in today’s competitive market, developing a strategy for your job search is essential. Here’s a road map on how to design a strategy to get the job you want.

Know What You Have to Offer. In order to successfully sell a product, it’s important to know the features and benefits as they relate to the buyer. As a candidate for a position, begin with an entrepreneurial mindset. View yourself from the eyes of an employer and think about the skills, knowledge and experience that employers would find valuable. Develop an elevator pitch: in 3 sentences or less, who are you, and what do you do?

Optimize Your Resume and Social Media Presence. Your resume is like an ad for your services. Will it immediately attract the attention of a potential employer? Does is clearly state your qualifications, how you will meet employers’ needs, and is it free from errors? A focused resume makes it easy for employers understand how you may benefit their company.

Remember your social resume! LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are tools that companies use to market their presence online to help potential customers find them. Do the same to help employers find you. Don’t be shy about it either (i.e. setting your profile to private or not including a legitimate professional profile picture); these are your media outlets.

Photo Credit: Daniel Johnson, Jr.

Target Companies. Now that you know your product, and have created some great “ads,” it’s time to identify your target market. Search for companies that need your services, and plan to connect with them directly (direct marketing). Search through your social media connections (prospecting) to find out who knows someone in your companies of interest. Ask for an introduction, or attend an event where company employees will be present (this is when you use that elevator pitch). Follow those companies on all their social media platforms; this may give you insight into their corporate culture, or first dibs on an employment opportunity.

Be Interview Ready. After you’ve gotten the attention of potential employers, be ready to close the sale. There’s nothing like getting a product that doesn’t deliver on its promises. Research companies in preparing for the interview. If you have been connecting and following them on social media, most of this work has already been done. This will make it easier for you to readily match what you have to offer with their needs, and share ideas on solutions you can provide.

Not having a proper plan and strategy in place is where many fail in the job search process. It’s like throwing darts without a target, and hoping something will stick. Applying a strategy will help you gain focus and manage your time more effectively. Know your value, know what you want, and be intentional in getting it.

Moving Your Career Forward,

Cathy Francois, MBA, GCDF

Career Coach and Founder of Rezume Forward