Use Peter Newfield’s Job-Search Checklist like a job-search trip planner. It is an easy to use and simple to follow strategy to systematically pursue the job you want. We invite you to use the checklist to prepare for your next career move.
Step 1
Sharpen your job search skills.
The job search process is one that requires careful analysis, planning
and dedication if you hope to succeed. For this, you will need a plan
of attack. Click here to view an outline of the concepts and practices for executing your job search campaign.
Step 2
Identify
potential companies that interest you.
These are companies that may offer positions comparable to those
that would interest you whether advertised or not. Create an entry in
the log for each of these companies with all available information you
can find.
Step 3
Find out who's hiring.
Identify companies that are actively advertising positions that interest
you. Create an entry in the log for each of these companies with all available
information that you can find. Try going to their website or look them
up by other means to find out as much as possible about these companies.
Step 4
Know what they're
looking for.
Carefully read through job advertisements to identify
common requirements among the companies/positions that interest you. This
should be done according to the most basic skills and work your way up
to more advanced skills.
Step 5
Highlight your strengths.
List these requirements from least important to
most important or most demanding requirements. Now, go down the list and
determine which of the key skills you possess. Of the skills that you
possess, start with the most advanced qualifications and make sure that
these qualifications are mentioned in the upper of the first page of your
resume. Bullets can be rearranged or words can be added to existing statements,
but these qualifications must have mention in this section. Do not re-write
your resume or add content that is not complimentary to the rest of the
resume to do this. The resume likely has this information already if you
have accurately selected jobs that you possess interest and are moderately
qualified for.
Step 6
Revise
your resume to match the job.
If various positions differ greatly in requirements or fall into two or
more groups of similar companies/jobs, it is a good idea to use a certain
resume for one group and another copy for another group. A subtle change
such as re-arranging sentences to fall in an order so that the content
of interest is mentioned first is suitable in most cases.
Step 7
This
is your first impression so do it right.
Print your resume on a quality 24 lb paper that is light in color. For
best results, take your resume to a professional printing center on diskette
to have them laser print your resume. Get matching full-page size 9 x
12 envelopes. If you?re able to print addresses directly on the envelopes
or can print labels to address the envelopes with it will look more professional
than hand-written envelopes. Be sure to include the contact person?s name
if available just below the company name and above the address so that
it is delivered directly to the intended recipient. Mail all of your resumes
out at once, ensuring that each company has the appropriate copy enclosed.
Step 8
Step ahead of the competition.
Allow 2 days for local delivery, and four business days for the rest of
the addresses you have sent your resume to. On the anticipated day of
arrival of your resume, send a copy by email and announce the arrival
of the hard copy in the mail. It is best if your email goes out the day
before or the exact day that your resume arrives. Mention in the email
that you will follow up with them by phone on a specified day and state
whether you will call in the morning or afternoon. You should call no
later than three business days after your resume arrives.
Step 9
Follow up!
Make follow up calls with your resume and the advertisement (if available)
in hand. If you have to make another follow up call next week, ask them
if you may contact them next week to see how their selection process is
going if there has been no decision made at that time. Continue process
until you have an answer, interview or rejection letter. Befriend the
person you are calling, call them by their first name after the first
call and keep your resume copies handy at all times during the process
so that you are better prepared if they should call you unexpectedly.
