The most difficult part of searching for a new career may be getting started.  And when the search isn’t going well, it’s easy to get discouraged.  Effective job search strategies can reduce the stress and shorten your job hunt.  Consider these suggestions:

Know what you want.  You must have a career target in mind. Applying for anything and everything makes you appear unfocused and desperate.  Identify the position that is a good fit for your skills, personality and values.

Create a job search action plan.  Writing out a plan gives structure to your search and allows you to be proactive rather than reactive.  Decide where you want to go and what you need to do to get there.  Establish daily and weekly goals to monitor your progress.  Use the plan to assess what is and isn’t working and make adjustments accordingly. 

Do your homework.  Research the job market, the salary ranges, the industry and specific companies to gain information and confidence as you develop networking contacts and prepare for interviews.  Schedule informational interviews with people who can provide important data. 

Develop high-quality marketing materials and networking contacts.  Your resume and cover letter should be targeted to specific positions and flawless.  Share this information with your network.  One study indicated that the average person talks to 14 networking contacts to get the opportunity to talk to one decision-maker / hiring manager. 

Be realistic.  A job search can take a long time!  Generally, assume it will take at least one month for every $10,000 of income.  A job search is a job so devote as much time to searching as you would to working.  Only 2 to 5 percent of applicants to jobs posted on the Internet job boards get a response.  Use a variety of methods, including classified ads, internet boards, networking contacts, company websites, career fairs, and recruiters.

Job seekers are encouraged to use multiple strategies when searching for a new position.  Some are more effective than others, but creating an action plan will help you be proactive and ultimately more successful.  Contact the Career Exploration Office if you need assistance with your job search.  careerexploration@osu.edu, 614-292-3503 or 614-292-8493

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.."  ~Lou Holtz

Career planning is a journey starting with assessing your current state.  Take the time to reflect on where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you might go from here.  Self-assessments which focus on your skills, interests, personality, and values can help get your started.  The Career Exploration Office offers the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory to those interested in working with a career advisor as they begin their journey.  Visit the CEO web site for more information.   www.careers.ohiostatealumni.org.

Today’s employers are seeking candidates who have experience in working in collaborative environments and managing teams.  Effective, high performance teams do not just happen. They must be created, coached, and recognized for their collective efforts. The Office of Continuing Education is offering a non-credit course, Building & Facilitating High Performance Teams on Monday evenings Spring Quarter.  Learn to create and manage effective work teams, including how individual communication and personal style affect team performance.  Also explore how to maximize team contributions during the typical phases of performance planning and review.  For more information, click on On-campus Noncredit Courses at the ced.osu.edu website. 

You have received this email in response to an inquiry made to the Career Exploration Office. If you do not wish to receive the CEO Career Tune-Up, please send your request to be removed from the mailing list to careerexploration@osu.edu.

Career Exploration Office, 152 Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1002
(614) 292-8493 or (614) 292-3503, www.careers.ohiostatealumni.org, e-mail: careerexploration@osu.edu.