Saturday, October 10, 2009

Developing Your Job Search Playbook
Topic: Job Search Strategy

This morning I am heading to the library to meet with some job seekers here in Baltimore. My topic: Developing Your Playbook! Typically I share this information online as a Webinar topic or as a part of my public workshop. I thought I would share with you some thoughts about how you can develop your Job Search Playbook.

First, let me define a "Playbook". As I see it every single football coach, basketball coach, hockey coach and the list goes on, has one. It is their set of plays that they will use both offensively and defensively to win the game. It is as simple as that. I actually see your job search as a strategic game and if you attempt to navigate the job search and most specifically the interview without developing your playbook, you have lost the game before you even have begun.

So in order to successfully navigate the hiring process, I suggest to my coaching clients that they develop their playbook. In order to do so, you need to begin by determining what it is you are even looking for. If you have no idea what type of job you want or any old job will do, you will probably end up somewhere and be dissatisfied within a day or two. 

It is important that you take some time to identify what you want to do. Assuming you have done that much, the next step is to collect job descriptions that define the type of job you believe you want to do. Review the job description and determine how close your skill set matches the job you are considering. If you have less than 85% of the skills and abilities they are looking for move on. Find something else. In this market, you will not be considered for the job.

Beyond the job description, there are Informational Interviews. I will write more about that in the next day or so. The next thing to consider is who knows you are looking for a job? Are you networking? If you are sitting at home and tpying on your computer, and pushing resumes and cover letters out, but you are not meeting people, connecting with people face to face, you are wasting time. Get out of the house and start meeting people. Talking to people and connecting with people. This is one of the most critical components of your Playbook. Take a moment and think about it and I will be back with more information for you. 

Posted by Darlene McDaniel at 9:13 AM EDT | Post Comment | Permalink
Updated: Saturday, October 10, 2009 4:09 PM EDT

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