Be proactive: Go beyond Monster.com

By Michelle Whitenack
NH Mirror Contributor

Have you done a job search at Monster.com, Career Builder or another Internet job bank lately? How long did it take before your eyes started to glaze over and your head was swimming in information about positions that were not a good fit for you?

Internet job banks are part of the “published job market.” People often start looking for new work by perusing online job banks, newspaper ads, working with recruiters and employment agencies, and attending job fairs. Some job seekers – only about 20 percent per year – will find work through these published methods, according to Marcia Bench in “Career Coaching: An Insider’s Guide.”

The unpublished or hidden job market represents 80 percent of the total jobs that are filled each year. Your next job may be waiting for you in the unpublished job market.

In real estate, the mantra is location, location, location. With a job search, your mantra is planning, planning, planning. Here is what you need to determine.

Objective
What kind of work do you want to do? More of the same? Interested in making a transition? Be specific here, it will help focus your search and help you find a job where you will be happy.

Target market
Yes, it sounds like we are taking about sales. In fact, we are. We are selling you as a great candidate to the type of organization you want to work for. Make a list of target organizations where you might like to work. Consider geographic location, industry and size of organization when making your list.

Core message
How can you summarize your experience and skills to tell people that you can do the work you want to do? Try to describe your qualifications in one minute.

Take a systematic approach to gathering information and making yourself known to decision-makers in your target organizations. People hire people. Making people aware of your interest in future openings in their organization increases your chance of being hired. Here’s how:

• Gather information: Once you have a list of target organizations, use the Internet, go to the library and “ask around” to gather as much information on the organizations as you can.

• Show your target list to others: Friends and family may know something about the companies on your list. They may feel comfortable enough to introduce you to a current or former employee.

• Talk to current employees: Ask more about the organization to decide if it would be a good fit for you. Express your interest in working there when an appropriate opening happens. Ask for an introduction to a decision-maker (possibly your future boss).

• Talk to decision-makers: Even in a short conversation, express a genuine interest in working for their organization in the future. Describe how you are qualified. And remember to follow up consistently.

Michelle Whitenack, M.Ed., CHES is a career and development coach and owner of Career Spark. For more information, call 244-8489 or visit www.career-spark.biz.