80% of Job Search Success Depends on Research
NOW is the best time to start looking for a job. You’re as qualified as
other applicants, so start now before someone else gets "your" job.
You’ve already made a good start by reading this document!
Finding employment means matching your skills and abilities to the skills and
requirements of different jobs.
What you need to know is how to market your talents effectively to find the
right job.
You Need Information ...
About yourself
- Goals and plans
- Interests and values
- Skills
- Experiences
- Strengths and weaknesses
- Expectations
- Barriers to success
About the labor market
- Facts vs. fantasy
- Why people stay unemployed
- Best job search methods
- Best job search tools
- Proven resume types
- Best people to contact
- Where to look
- Key skills
About the employer, the job and the company
- Employer’s expectations
- How to avoid rejection
- How to prove your worth
- Products and services
- Company needs / problems
- Specific job requirements
Job Search Checklist
Complete items 1-3 on this checklist before starting your job search
Complete items 4-5 every day of your job search
Complete items 6-9 when you have interviews
- IDENTIFY OCCUPATIONS
Make a background and experience list
Review information on jobs
Identify those jobs that use your talents
- IDENTIFY EMPLOYERS
Ask relatives (etc.) to help you look for job openings
Go to your Wisconsin Job Center for assistance
Contact employers to get company and job information
Utilize other sources to get job leads
Obtain job announcements and descriptions
- PREPARE MATERIALS
Write resumes (if needed). Use job announcements to
"fit" your skills with job requirements
Write cover letters or letters of application
Assemble a job search kit: pens, tablet, maps, public
transportation guides, clean copies of resumes and applications, background and
experience lists, Social Security card, picture ID
Use America’s Talent Bank
- PLAN YOUR TIME
Wake up early to start looking for work
Make a "to do" list of everything you’ll do
to look for a job
Work hard all day to find a job
Reward yourself (do a hobby or sport, visit friends,
etc.)
- CONTACT EMPLOYERS
Call employers directly (even if they’re not
advertising job openings). Talk to the person who would supervise you if you
were hired
Go to companies to fill out applications
Contact your friends and relatives to see if they know
about any openings
Use JobNet or America’s Job Bank on the internet
- PREPARE FOR INTERVIEWS
Learn about the company you’re interviewing with
Review job announcements to determine how your skills
will help you do the job
Assemble resumes, application forms, etc. (make sure
everything is neat)
- GO TO INTERVIEWS
Dress right for the interview
Go alone
Be clean, concise, and positive
Thank the interviewer
- EVALUATE INTERVIEWS
Send a hand-written thank you note to the interviewer
within 24 hours of the interview
Think about how you could improve the interview
- TAKE TESTS
Find out about the test(s) you’re taking
Brush up on job skills
Relax and be confident
- ACCEPT THE JOB!
Understand job duties and
expectations, work hours, salary, benefits, etc.
Be flexible when discussing salary (but don’t sell yourself short)
