Here are some job search strategies to intensify your job search before the slowdown that usually happens between Thanksgiving and New Years.
1. Diversify your approaches. Don’t just depend on a few methods. Explore some more strategies. While recruiters (headhunters) can be a valuable source, you must remember that they work for the employer and are paid to fill job openings and not to search out openings for you. They often prefer to hire from the ranks of the already employed rather than the vast pool of those who are currently unemployed.
2. Hone your Career Branding Statement. Some call this your elevator speech, or your 30 second pitch. This is important for several reasons. It changes your mindset from being in the one-down position of needing a job to the equality position of “I have these talents and experience while you may have a position or contacts who have a position – How can we get together?”
3. Social Networking – jump on the LinkedIn and Twitter bandwagon. It can help you build and manage your network of contacts that can help you find that next job. You may worry that this is a distraction and a timewaster, but there is real value in using social media tools to give your job search more breadth and focus.
4. Target specific companies and go after them directly. You can go beyond looking at a targeted company’s website to actively using LinkedIn to research that company and who you might know who works there. Use LinkedIn’s extensive search features to sleuth out some contacts and follow up with them.
5. Develop a “Mini-resume.” This is a business card for job searchers that has your key contact information on one side and your goal and skills and qualifications on the other side. They are great for networking. They are easy to carry for those times when you wouldn't carry your full resume. Make it tasteful and don’t overdo colors and graphics. It needs to look professional and not like it was designed by high school student with a new CD full of clip-art. There are templates in MS Word for Business Card Templates. Be creative!
