What to do Now to Prepare for Your Job Search

Job Search

By Amy Geffen, PhD

Some of us enjoy taking some time off during the summer, but if you are in transition, a.k.a ., out of work, you need to do more than lie in the hammock and snooze. So whether you have a job and want to find a different one, or have been recently laid off and need to get your job search in gear, here are some ways to spend your summer.

  1. Assessment – Spend some time on self-reflection and self-assessment. Are you happy with what you are (have been) doing? Do you want/need a change? Do you want to shift directions into owning your own business? Or go from for-profit into non-profit? Whether you are contemplating changing jobs or changing fields, the first step is assessing your strengths and weaknesses. Self-assessment consists of listing your accomplishments and then extrapolating your best skills, values in the workplace, what kind of company you want to work for (corporate buttoned up or telecommuter, free-lance…)
  2. Branding – How do you present yourself? Your pitch, cover letter, resume and LinkedIn Profile are all representations of you, your skills, your accomplishments and how you can solve problems for the organization you ultimately will work for. Spend time this summer writing a powerful resume and cover letter that highlight your best skills and top accomplishments. Show results that you have achieved in terms of money saved, money earned, increased recognition, time saved, or increased productivity. Quantify wherever you can using dollars, percentages, and numbers.
  3. Connecting – Reboot your network. Re-connect with family, friends, former colleagues to keep them up to date on what you have been doing and your new direction. Set up meetings with all of them for coffee or lunch or a phone call. Get them to introduce you to one or two new people in your chosen field. Are you an active member of your professional association, alumni association, hobby group or civic or religious organization? If not, it is time to join and become active in a project, event, or committee. Get to know people on a deeper level. They will be happy to tell you about job opportunities once you build rapport.
  4. Differentiating – How are you different from everyone else who has the same job title? How do you talk about yourself on the phone, during an interview, and in the follow-up email? Your accomplishments and problem-solving abilities form the basis of how you can distinguish yourself from the rest of the candidates for a job. This is a competition and in order to win, you need to be resourceful and show you can get results for the company. Practice answering tough interview questions about why you lost your last job, how you can transfer your skills to this new industry, why your maturity and judgment will be an asset.
  5. Enhancing – So you are finally getting interviews. How do you follow up? How do you close the sale? How do you negotiate for a better salary, more vacation, more frequent reviews of your work for the next raise and/or bonus? Follow up is more than a simple thank you note. You need to remind the interviewer or hiring manager about your accomplishments, your key skills and how you can help solve the company’s problems. Use your follow-up to emphasize the important points you made during the interview or add information you neglected to mention during the interview. If you are interviewed by more than one person in a group or separately, write to each person individually.

Remember: a job search is a marathon, not a sprint. Plan ahead, prepare, practice and do something every day to get you closer to your job target.

Amy Geffen, PhD is a GetFive certified career coach with over 30 years of experience in management, finance, academic administration, and non-profits. She has a Master’s degree from Harvard University and a PhD from New York University.