Ten Top Work Search Strategies for the Sunshine Coast

 10. Understand the Reality of Job Search

During a job search, the right frame of mind is as important as how you search

• Know how your talent can benefit employers
• Finding a job is a job - it takes focus, commitment and time

9. Get to Know Yourself

Identify and write down your skills, interests, needs and work habits. Ask five people you know in different capacities to write down what they see as your greatest talents. Know what you want before you look; it will help you zero in on the best targets more quickly.

8. Prepare a Dynamic Resumé

Your resumé represents you when you are not there to represent yourself. A resume should be targeted to the job you want, be easy to read, concise, error-proof and uniquely yours. It should promote you and your talents and highlight the skills and qualifications you can offer the employer.

7. Target Employers

Research potential employers and identify those you think might be a good fit for your skills and qualifications. Find employers who have a need for your talent, and then get the names of individuals at each company who are responsible for the positions you want.

6. Include an Individualized Cover Letter with Each Resume

Once you have decided which job(s) you will be applying for, prepare individual cover letters to include with each resume. The intent of the cover letter is to introduce you to the employer, identify the position you are applying for, let the employer know how you heard about the job and to address the qualifications (skills, abilities, experience and/or education) as specified in the job posting. Don't skip this step... Many employers will not read a resume that is not accompanied with a cover letter.

5. Network, Network, Network

Whenever a job position opens, many employers will first ask for referrals from their family, friends, clients, employees - people whose judgement they value. A good way of getting that opening is to have your name come up when that referral is being solicited. You do this through networking. Let all your firends, relatives and associates know you are looking for work and ask them to let you know if they hear of any possible opportunities. Connect with the community. Talk to business owners. If they are not hiring at present - ask if they know who is.

4. Accessing the Hidden Job Market

Most managers prefer to fill positions through internal resources, such as referrals from employees, customers, suppliers, friends and business colleagues. This method saves screening and interviewing time as well as advertising and recruitment fees.

Those candidates who have created their own good luch and timing by acquiring valuable insider information often fill the employment position.

Informational Interviews

It has been said that each of us directly and indirectly "knows" almost five hundred other people. By using a technique called "informational interviewing", it is possible to reach across several networks and locate individuals who we can then contact to explore these hidden career possibilities. Use telephone contact to try to arrange a brief meeting. Mention the name of the mutual acquaintance to help cement the connection. Tell them what you need most is their advice. Ask them what they would do if they were in your circumstance, which may open up additional leads. You can stategically place yourself near the head of the job line and hopefully be considered for a position.

Using Trends to Help Locate Job Opportunities

By following the practice of diligently reading the local newspaper start to finish you may spot a hidden opportunity trend between the lines.

Learn How to "Dig for the Job"

Last year's announcement by Canadian Tire that they would be building a new store in Wilson Creek was a "heads up" to many trades and retail people who were looking for work. In the weeks following this announcement, there was a flurry of activity while savvy job searchers used this opportunity to research through the Internet, telephone personal connections and even on-site visits to the still empty lot in their effort to find where they could send their resumés. Getting your resumé to the people who hire before they advertise new jobs may give you an excellent advantage.

Sell Yourself!

Your job search tool kit should include a great resumé with key skills matched to the job opportunity you are considering, and a persuasive cover letter. By approaching companies who you have determined are in or about to enter a hiring mode, you will create your own good luck and timing, often beating others to the door.

3. Prepare for an Interview

Research the company before the interview - know what the company is about and how you can contribute to its goals. Practice interview skills with a friend or a career coach. Follow up each interview with a thank-you letter stressing how you can benefit the employer.

2. Evaluate the Process

If you don't land your target job, ask yourself these questions:

• Have I done everything necessary?
• How well did I accomplish each step?
• Where can I improve?

And the Number One Work Search Tip for the Sunshine Coast is...

1. Open the Door to Your Own Opportunity - Find a Need and Fill It!

What can you do for a business or private person that is not a paid job right now that would be of value to them?

Once you discover a need - offer to fill it. Let the employer know specifically what you can do for them, and explain in what way the service you provide them will add value/benefit to their business. If you can show a business person how you can save them money, increase their profits, increase services that provide valuable public relations or [insert your idea here] that increases the viability of their business by equal or more than your "wage", you will have created your own opportunity.

 Keywords for Resumés

www.babylon.com -      industry-specific keywords

www.eresumes.com - a keyword resume tutorial site

www.worklogic.com -  National Occupational Classification (NOC)