10 Tips in Your Search For A New Job

1. Decompress. Resist the urge, in the hours after you've resigned or have been laid off, to call people and discuss the situation. Take a few days to ride out your emotions. Think about and discuss your next career steps with family, and frame how and what you're going to tell people. Create a plan for conducting your job search. Be mindful of your family. Job searches and tough economic times are difficult on them, too. Keep an open dialog with your spouse and remember that he/she wants to feel included and helpful. Set ground rules early on the job search process for how you and your spouse will communicate with and lend support to each other.

2. Evaluate your career. There's never a better time than now to think about things you've dreamed of or have been putting off, such as a career change, starting your own business or going back to school. In fact, a difficult job market is an even better time to consider these options so that you are poised for professional growth when the market rebounds. If you're considering a career change, take an online career assessment at a web site such as www.livecareer.com.

3. Develop your brand. Don't just update your resume. Create your personal "promise of value," a unique blend of your strengths, professional accomplishments, and personal characteristics. Explain your brand - a 30-second elevator pitch - to everyone in your network, and stamp your brand by always delivering as promised. When you update your resume, be sure it doesn't just read like a job description and that it reflects actual accomplishments during each stage of your career. Potential employers know what a CFO does, for example, but they want to know what YOU did to enhance the organization and what the results were.

4. Be honest. There's nothing wrong with telling people you've been downsized. It is not a reflection on you or your professional value. These are tough times and you're not alone. People want to help, especially those you consider close friends - and of course, family. So, be honest about what's going on and empower people to want to help you.

5. Make two lists. More than 90% of jobs are landed by networking, so here's how you do it: make a list of 25-50 people in your professional and social network. Then, make a second list of 25-50 companies that you've researched and that you'd like to work for. Call each of the people on the first list, explain to them that you're starting a job search and that you think they'd be a good person to network with, and then ask them if they'd be willing to have breakfast or coffee with you. Once you secure this meeting, share with them your second list of companies and ask them who they know inside those companies that you should contact. Ask if they'd be willing to make an introduction or if you can use their name. By showing them this list, you're helping them think of people rather than cold-asking them who else they know. Each of these meetings should result in 3-5 more names to add to your first list. This type of networking is hard for many people, but this is the best way to land a job and nobody is going to do it for you.

6. Utilize Search Firms. Identify one to three search firms to partner with. Ideally, choose firms that specialize in your industry or functional area. Visit their website and apply for jobs you feel you're qualified for. Make a follow-up call to introduce yourself and confirm they received your information. Using too many recruiters can diminish your value in the marketplace.

7. Consider alternative options. Consider jobs and assignments with employers who have short-term needs, consulting assignments, or even a temp-to-hire arrangement. These opportunities can lead to a full-time or more permanent position.

8. Use job boards cautiously. It's okay to register on multiple job boards and apply for open positions, but be prepared to be solicited for positions you're not interested in if you make your resume visible. Some common job boards are:

• www.monster.com
• www.careerbuilder.com
• www.careerboard.com
• www.hotjobs.com
• www.theladders.com
• www.resumespider.com

9. Update your social networking profiles. Social networking websites like those listed below allow professionals to connect with colleagues. Participating in and maintaining up-to-date profiles in these online communities expands your network for potential business and professional opportunities.

Update/register your profile for free on the following websites:

• www.linkedin.com
• www.plaxo.com
• www.zoominfo.com
• www.konnects.com

10. Be aggressive. Keep these three thoughts in mind during your job search: · People want to help but can't if you don't reach out to them. · Nobody will advocate for you as well as you can. If you're not out there marketing yourself, it will take you longer to find a job. · Be patient, but aggressive. Never let up on your search, even when you think you're close to landing a position. Just like sales, a job search is a numbers game, and you want to open as many doors and create as many opportunities as possible. The deal is never sealed until you show up for work on the first day of your new job, so never stop marketing yourself.