Job Search Techniques

If they see a job that looks promising, they start faxing or emailing their tired old one-size-fits all resume.

On the surface, all of this seems reasonable and like a natural course of action; however, this is what I call a passive job search.

A passive job search "is what everybody does". What "everybody does" is rarely successful in business or life. It is what the exceptional people do that is successful - and those usually represent the top 2-5% in any field.

Here is the key, it really doesn't take much to put yourself in that 2-5% group, you just need to know the techniques that they use and follow them.

An Active Job Search Campaign

In the case taking your next career step, you need to pursue what I call an "active campaign". While a passive campaign sends out some resumes after answering job ads; an active campaign takes the "bull by the horns" and runs an all out assault - doing whatever it takes (as long as it is legal!) to land that dream job.

The best analogy I can come up with is by looking at a political campaign. A politician (who expects to win) is out there meeting people, networking an getting his or her message out.

You need to get your message out...

Just sending a few resumes out will not do it. You will never separate yourself from the masses unless you separate yourself from the masses - and do things that they do not do. What are some of these things?

1. Define the goal of your campaign
2. Create your elevator pitch
3. Build your target list
4. Research each company on your list
5. Complete your resume (flexible enough to customize for each company)
6. Contact each company / individual on your target list
7. Assertively follow-up using collateral materials with each company or individual on your target list

The list above is your action plan. Only the foolish wait around for their dream job to tap them on the shoulder and say, "Here I am".

You need to activate, work your plan, and go out and get it.

Below are some great career advancing tools to employ in your job search.  Search thousands of job's,

• Vault Job Board: Search 1,000s of top jobs on Vault                              
• Post a Resume and take more control of your job search and career today! Post your Resume Today!                                                                          
• Get the inside scoop on top careers and companies with the Vault Career Library.                                                                                              
• Vault.com is The Wall Street Journal's "Top Choice" for Resume Makeovers: Get an expert resume in 2 business days.                                                    
• Get insider salary info: Get Vault's exclusive salary info for detailed salary information for top employers.

Return from job search to the home page