DEVELOPING A TARGETED JOB SEARCH STRATEGY
As an active job seeker it is important to understand the difference between looking for “a job” and trying to find an opportunity that best matches your career interests, values and goals.
Developing a targeted job search strategy will enable you to pursue employment opportunities that will not only be a good fit, but will also lead to long term job satisfaction. While your job search strategy may evolve over the course of your search, it is important to take a few moments to set some parameters for your job search, assess your strengths (and weaknesses) and identify critical resources. |
RESOURCES:
Right click to open in a new window |
SETTING PARAMETERS FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH
What type(s) of position(s) are you targeting?
If you are looking at teaching positions this should include details such as grade level and subject. If you are looking at administrative positions in an educational setting this should include the area(s) within administration and student services. If you are looking at positions outside of a traditional school setting, what do those positions look like? What type(s) of employer(s) are you targeting? Employer type could refer to the type of school/organization, the school/organization size, student population/clients served, the mission/culture of the school/organization, etc. What are your geographic preferences? Are you conducting a narrow or a broad search? Most candidates tend to focus their job search in one specific city or region while others view their job search as an opportunity to pick up and relocate anywhere. If you find yourself in the latter category, it is still recommended that you narrow your geographic focus to a few specific locations. This will enable you to better manage your search and also allow you to implement a more focused, proactive component to your job search. Are there any additional considerations you need to consider? Additional considerations may include salary, benefits, advancement potential, professional development opportunities, etc. |
While it may seem that narrowing your job search targets you are reducing the number of job opportunities, keep in mind that the parameters you identified are simply a guide to help you find the perfect fit. The reality is that many job seekers won’t find positions that match all their parameters so it is important to understand which parameters are required and not negotiable and those that are more flexible. Lastly, the parameters help you define targets that will enable you to conduct an effective job search. However, they do not prevent you from considering other opportunities. As mentioned earlier, the focus of your job search may evolve over time so a flexible strategy is just as important as a targeted one.
|
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE ASSESSMENT
Once you have identified your job search targets, the next step in developing your job search strategy is to gain a better understanding of what you have to offer potential employers. Take a moment to identify your strengths as they relate to the position(s) you are considering. In addition, take an inventory of your past experience and make a note of specific experiences that highlight your strengths.
This exercise is first step in developing your “sales pitch” which will enable you to write strong resumes and cover letters and effectively prepare for interviews. This concept will be cover in-depth in the Interviewing section. |
Bridge the Skill Gap!
It is also important to identify areas where you may be lacking the necessary skills and/or experience. Part of your job search strategy should include ways to compensate for these shortcomings. You may seek out volunteer opportunities or internships that will help bridge the gap. |
JOB SEARCH RESOURCES
Once you have set the parameters for your job search, you are now able to focus your research in these specific areas.
The goal of your research is two-fold:
|
Job Search Resources:
|
NETWORKING RESOURCES
The last component of a targeted job search strategy is networking. In short, a proactive job search is critical to your success. While checking job boards enables you to learn about current openings, your job search strategy should involve connecting with people who can provide you with “insider” information on existing opportunities. Since you have already identified parameters for your job search, the focus of your networking efforts has already been determined. Your initial networking targets should be:
|
Don’t underestimate the value of speaking to individuals that only meet one criteria. Your goal in connecting with these individuals is to learn more about the position and/or the employer, and ultimately make a connection that can help you going forward in your job search efforts. The topic of networking is covered in depth in a later section.
|