Twenty Rules for Successful Job Searching

by Chandra Louise, Ph.D.

Job searching is like dating.  When you date, you look for someone you 'll enjoy - someone who's a good match for you.  Job searching is no different. When you look for a job, you are looking for a match between you and a potential employer.

In dating, you follow some rules that will guide you through the process. How will you make a good impression?  Who will ask for the date?  Who will pay? How will you dress? How will you act? What can you do to maximize your chances that the interaction will be successful?

Following are some tips for successful job searching.  If you follow these rules, you will be much more likely to land and maintain a successful and rewarding career.

"The Rules" of Successful Job Searching

1. Get motivated. Get psyched! How can you have a successful job search if you're not excited about it?   

2. Believe in yourself. When you go out on a date, you need to feel desirable. Same with your job search. You have talents and abilities that are uniquely yours. Only by recognizing your own special qualities can you be yourself and use your talents and abilities to your full advantage!    

3. Don't make excuses.  It's easy to put things off until your husband graduates, until your old car dies, or until after your wisdom tooth extraction. There always seems to be some good excuse to procrastinate! Do you really have a legitimate excuse, or are you just looking for a reason to delay?

4. Focus. Get committed. You are looking to make the best of yourself and your career...and to maximize your returns.  But it won't happen by itself. You're going to have to drive the process. The rewards are great. But you're the one who's going to make it happen.

5. Be prepared to spend some time.  Where are you in your job search? Hopefully you haven't waited until the last minute or until graduation is right around the corner to start thinking about your career. There are a lot of rewarding possibilities out there, but it takes some time to find them!  It also takes time to get hired into the good jobs.

6. Begin to identify suitable opportunities.  How can you date if you never look around? How can you begin looking for a job if you don't know what's available?   

7. Think creatively.  By using your imagination, you will identify lots of career opportunities you probably never thought of.

8. Look for change. Jobs pop up where there's change.  What's happening in the world, and how can these events translate into job opportunities for you?

9. Be aware of current events.  This awareness will help you to identify those changes that result in new career opportunities.

10.  Keep an open mind.  An open mind will mean more job opportunities for you.

11.  You can be too narrow in your choice of potential mates.  You can also be too narrow in your job search. Consider careers outside your immediate discipline. Did you go to school for widget design?  Well, maybe you can sell those widgets. Did you sell widgets at your last job? Now maybe you can sell cell phones.

12.  Focus.  I know I already said that. Well, it's time to do it again. You need to know exactly what types of jobs you will pursue, so you can concentrate your efforts on pursuing them. Why waste your valuable time pursuing jobs you're really not all that interested in?

13.  Develop a plan. How will you pursue the career path(s) you've decided on? Whom will you contact? What will you do or say?  Hint: You'll be much better off if you can identify who is doing the hiring. Get names.  Do some detective work. Believe, me, you'll be glad you did.

14.  Develop superior job search materials.  You wouldn't go on a date without putting your best foot forward. Do it in your job search too!  Create a winning resume and cover letter. Both of these materials should sell your skills to the greatest advantage for the jobs you're applying for.  What skills are important to the job you're applying for? How can you provide what the employer is looking for?  Answer these questions...for yourself AND for your potential employer!

15.  Send your materials to the right place. How do you know you're sending your materials to the right place?  Follow Rule #13. Do some detective work.  Sell your skills to the people who want them!

16.  Reread Rule #15.  I don't want to be redundant, but this point is so important that I will do it anyway.  Following Rule #15 could be the difference between getting a great job versus sitting unnoticed on the sidelines. You need to send your materials to the people who will appreciate what you have to offer!

17.  Make the phone an integral part of your job search strategy.  Yes, that's right.  CALL people.  I know it's not easy to call people you don't know. But it's the easiest and most efficient way to do the detective work you'll need to achieve maximum reward and efficiency in your job search!

18.  Don't wait for an organization to announce a vacancy before expressing an interest in working there.  If you wait, you will compete with all the other applicants who have responded to the announcement. Beat the crowd by getting your materials in ahead of time. Remember, timing is everything!

19.  Follow up.  Persistence wins job offers.  Establish a schedule for follow-up phone calls and correspondence. Take your cues from your correspondents regarding the frequency and methods of your follow-up contact. Suggest a time when you will call again. See how your correspondent responds.

20.  Hang in there!  Hiring often doesn't happen overnight.  Don't expect it to.  Don't act desperate, and don't show frustration. Be polite, and be patient. Tell the employer how you can help them, not vice versa. Of course, you should be thinking about yourself, too...but that comes later, once you win the offer. Furthermore, if you've focused your search, you've applied only for jobs that you think will interest you. So be patient and persistent, and do your homework...and soon you may be in the job of your dreams!

Good luck!