Work search strategies

Key work search tips

How you look for work will vary from one occupation to another. For example, a photographer may have a portfolio showcasing the best examples of his or her work. He or she will want to meet people in professional organizations having to do with photography, filmmaking, print media, and publishing. Teachers may want to develop a skills portfolio with sample lesson plans, worksheets, and proposed classroom activities. A musician may want to prepare a demo tape to distribute to prospective record producers and music distributors.

Although there are differences, The Texas Workforce Commission recommends the following steps in its Job Hunting Cycle. These apply to most everyone, regardless of the type of work you may be looking for.

• Clearly define your career goals. Establish a work plan to reach your goals.
• Set clear daily, weekly, and monthly goals.
• Connect with people, read books, and ask for career advice from people you know.
• Visit a career counselor.
• Take risks. Take on new tasks that will stretch your skills.
• Research labor market trends, companies and occupations.
• Develop relationships with people in your organization, profession, industry and community.
• Engage in training and development. Read about your field. Attend conferences and workshops. Take courses or go back to school.
• Stay positive and take care of yourself by eating well and exercising regularly.
• Commit to your career and to your future.
• Keep track of achievements, education and training.
• Assess yourself.
  • What motivates you? What frustrates you?
  • What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing?
  • What do you want from life? From a career?
  • What type of work are you looking for?
  • What type of work fits your educational background?
  • What skills and qualifications do employers in your chosen occupation look for?
  • Identify your skills, knowledge, abilities, interests, needs and character.
  • Assess your work history.
  • Create your career portfolio and résumé.
• Prepare.
  • Organize your home workspace.
  • Purchase the supplies (i.e. paper, pens, notebooks, printer cartridge) you'll need for your job search.
  • Invest in a professional wardrobe.
  • Line up references.
• Explore job opportunities.
  • Read job advertisements.
  • Make contacts. Network. Tap into the "hidden" job market.
  • Make a list of all your contacts: friends, neighbours, relatives, past employers, colleagues, professional acquaintances, teachers, teammates, etc.
  • Join a professional association.
  • Read business magazines, trade publications and newspapers to find out about networking events in your area. Attend conferences, trade shows and symposia.
  • Research companies. What companies offer the type of work you're looking for? Who are the key contacts in the companies you would like to approach?
  • Use employer directories and the Internet.
  • Manage your information. Keep records.
• Contact Employers.
  • Make contact before sending your résumé. Personal contact is most memorable.
  • Make cold calls. Request information interviews and schedule appointments.
  • Send e-mail messages, cover letters, application forms, and résumés.
  • Be calm, professional, thorough, concise, humble.
  • Target your résumé and cover letter for each employer.
  • When applying for jobs, follow each company's application procedures. Find out how the company would like to receive your résumé. (i.e. printed and mailed, sent by fax, in the body of an e-mail message or as an e-mail attachment, a presentation résumé or a scannable résumé)
  • Follow up with a telephone call to make sure your résumé was received.
• Go to Job Interviews.
  • Be prepared for telephone interviews as well as in-person interviews.
  • Anticipate interview questions and prepare answers.
  • Practice with a friend or family member.

The work cycle as outlined above has no beginning and no end. If, after going to a series of interviews, you are unsuccessful at landing a job, you may need to begin again by redefining your goals, re-assessing your situation, making additional contacts, and conducting additional research—all in the hope of landing more interviews.

Looking for work can be discouraging, particularly when you face rejection. Don't be afraid to ask others for help and support. Develop a support system to keep your morale high. Keep mentally and physically fit by eating, sleeping and exercising regularly. Remember to take time from your work search to do things you enjoy. Sooner or later, the right opportunity will come along.