Job Hunting Dos and Do Nots

Job Hunting Dos and Don'ts

"Things usually turn out better than you think." - Von R. Atkinson

Job hunting is one of those experiences in life that can be both humbling and confidence boosting. Like shopping for clothes, it takes a lot of hunting for a items that appeal and are within budget. Then comes the trying things on -- discovering with disappointment that some items that look great on the rack are actually made better for someone else and other items fit right but require too much compromise. Finally (hopefully) the job seeker finds that great match that feels right, is affordable and well-made, looks good and opens doors for new experiences.

Below are suggestions for how to approach the hunt - and find the right outfit faster.

Planning and Preparing

Do go through the career planning process - Each person who works is responsible for their own career progression and work satisfaction -- no one else can fulfill them the same way, or accomplish success on their behalf. Whether a job seeker is just entering the workforce for the first time, or has a long employment

history, career exploration and planning provide a map of opportunity and promise that is uniquely suited to the individual. This method of combining a deeper understanding of personal motivations and definitions of success, with specific steps or landmarks to measure progress and propel growth, empowers a career seeker to fulfill their potential and accomplish their goals in work and life. Read Soul Searching: Discovering the Career Planner Within

Don't be too structured - While it's always good to be prepared with a solid career plan, a focused attitude, good job hunting resources, a confidence-building resume, an eye-catching cover letter, and a professional demeanor, it is possible to be so prepared that opportunities get overlooked or dismissed without thorough consideration. Sometimes the best opportunities come from out of nowhere, require some fast learning to be ready, or inspire a complete change of direction. Rigidity - a lack of resilience and adaptability - can cause circumstances that feel like setbacks or failures to knock over a career seeker rather than bending them in a more rewarding direction. So go with the flow.

Marketing Strategically

Do manage that personal brand - Anyone who has a presence on the Internet (a Facebook page, a LinkedIn profile, a portfolio site, a posted resume, etc.) has a brand - a name for themselves that they must manage to protect their image. Job seekers rely on their brand to promote them as employee candidates even when they're at work or sleeping, and therefore they must be confident that the brand is achieving the desired results. A good brand should be clear and succinct, consistent, communicated, and substantiated with proof.

Don't underestimate the importance of networking - Job seeking is all about making a lasting, positive impression. Making personal contact - whether it's face-to-face through traditional networking, profile-to-profile through social networking, or post-to-post through tweets, blogs or bulletin boards -- opens doors that may not be opened any other way. That being said, there is an art to connecting with others in such a way as to open job opportunities -- it takes practice, and smart job seekers take time to learn the ropes from others.

Finding Promising Opportunities

Do be selective - Sometimes finding the right job isn't so much about patiently sifting through job after job as it is sifting through job sources to find the best ones for the desired opportunity. Being selective about the tools used to network for jobs, promote availability, search for job openings, apply for jobs, create resumes and submit resumes can streamline the job hunting process and produce better results faster.

Don't wait for opportunities to show up - There is such a thing as creating opportunities for jobs. Employees who identify new ways of combining responsibilities, propose or implement new programs, or bring unique skill sets that start ideas flowing can inspire the creation of new job opportunities. Sometimes even a promising job candidate can inspire a hiring manager to make room for such a valuable asset. Smart career seekers always keep their eyes open for opportunities to create jobs for themselves.

Making a Positive Impression

Do appear polished, professional and prepared - Impressions spread outward like ripples in a pond, so be sure all ducks are in a row before testing the waters...

A job seeker can come off like a cliche' if they don't put enough effort into showcasing what makes them different and valuable. A confident, enthusiastic, friendly attitude is an easily-identifiable differentiator that will help any job seeker stand out from the crowd. In addition, resumes, cover letters and interviews - and they way they're presented - should showcase what the candidate

brings to the table in such a way as to leave a lasting (and positive) impression. Savvy job seekers maximize the effectiveness of their resume, write cover letters that elicit the desired response, and leave no room for doubt in interviews. Read An Effective Resume Fits Like a Good Suit, Turn Cover Letters into Cover Notes for Better Results, and 10 Questions Never To Ask During An Interview

Don't try to bend the rules - One of the most common - and costly - mistakes made by job seekers is to assume that the rules don't apply to them. There is a way of doing things when it comes to finding and applying for jobs, just like there is for getting the job done. The current system isn't there simply to make things difficult - it's there to make things fair, efficient and consistent for all candidates. Just like shopping for clothes, everyone in the marketplace has three choices -- buy mass-produced clothing meant to fit some or most at minimal cost, pay through the nose for the convenience of personal tailors, or learn to sew their own. Therefore, job hunters who can't afford to hire someone to find them a job, and don't want to start their own company, must learn how the system works and then learn how to work the system.

Staying Focused

Do squirrel away patience - A job seeker can do everything right and still not find a good job within a month... or a year... depending on conditions outside of his or her control. But the reality is that job hunting isn't perfect. There will be typos on resumes and in cover letters, misspoken words or awkward moments in interviews, and missed opportunities. The key is to stay positive, trust that the right opportunity will come along when the time is right, and make good use of time between jobs. Prepare for the long haul, and be pleasantly surprised when the right opportunity comes along sooner than later. Read 10 Reasons Why Job Candidates Don't Get the Job and Making the Most of Being Unemployed

Don't let mistakes or tough circumstances erode resolve - Few things in life can challenge a worker's confidence like being terminated by an employer. Whether it is due to layoffs, performance, or the discontinuation of a position, not going to work the next day can bring with it a mixture of emotions that make it hard for the now job-seeker to act proactively on their own behalf. Concerns about not being able to pay the bills for an undetermined amount of time add to the stress.

Job hunting involves a lot of risk taking at a time when most people are struggling with confidence anyway. The importance of getting the job makes all the little things seem large -- job seekers may worry that they've misspoken in an interview, panic when they realize they've submitted their resume incorrectly, or wonder if they've pushed too hard with networking contacts. Three strategies that can help a frustrated job seeker find confidence are to stay focused, strengthen resolve and keep moving... and do whatever it takes to keep doing those three things.

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