Dear Deb’s Frequently Asked Questions by Job Seekers

1. I am unemployed, where do I start to look for a job?

A. There are two job markets.

1)    The traditional job market: newspaper ads, placement agencies, employment departments.

2)    The grapevine or hidden job market: jobs that don’t get announced but are passed through the grapevine.

Fewer than half of the jobs get filled via the traditional market. Richard Bolles in his book agrees that the traditional market is very ineffective in finding a job. He includes the following in the traditional job market:

1. Resumes

2. Public Employment Agencies (free service) - 13.7%

3. Private Employment Agencies – (pay a fee) 5%

4. Executive Search firms/headhunters/ recruiters  (usually work with people who are already working and steal them to another company)

5. Want Ads in Newspapers

Beware of the meaning under the ads:

2. What is the most effective way of finding jobs you ask? In the Hidden or Grapevine Job Market? Where is it?

1.  Creative Job Hunting approach- find out what interests you and contact the person with the power to hire results in jobs 86%

2.  Hit the streets- Apply directly to an employer that is not advertising help wanted this results in a job 47%

3.  Ask friend for job leads – Otherwise know as networking this result in a job 34%

4.  Ask relatives for job leads – Otherwise know as networking this result in a job 27%.

The bottom line in using the hidden job market effectively is to get out their and Network. What is Networking?

What do I say? For more scripts and tips, see Donald Asher's Overnight Job Change Strategy.

Sales-Level Candidate

Recent College Graduate

Who do I talk to?

¨       Friends

¨       Family

¨       Neighbors

¨       Acquaintances

¨       Friends of friends

¨       Former bosses/co-workers

¨       College Career Centers

¨       Professional Organizations in your field

¨       Attend Chamber Events

¨       Attend Business Expo’s as well as Job Fairs

¨       Tell/Call/Email everyone you meet about your skills and abilities

The 3 P's of Networking are:

a)    Positive attitude

b)    Persistence

c)     Plan of action to follow up with contacts

Research the position

The more you know about the job you are applying for, the more confident you will feel and appear at the interview.  Your research will show are interested,  motivation, initiative, and organization. and you will be able to explain how your skills match the position you are seeking.

Find out as much information as you can about the position.  If possible, talk to people who are doing the same job. 

Some websites that will help you with the research is:

www.dialogweb.com: 450 databases with company information/industry newsletters

www.djinteractive.com: Dow jones, market research reports/business journals

www.companiesonline.com: Basic information about gov agencies, schools, private companies

www.sec.gov/edgarhp.htm: Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval systems (can search by the name of the company).

www.hoover.com: Basic information and links to corporate websites

www.lexis-nexis.com ~  www.news.com

Who do employers hire? People they:

¨       Like

¨       Trust

¨       Believe will fit in

¨       Who are flexible

¨       Adaptable to change

¨       Eager to work

¨       Loyal

¨       High Work Ethic

¨       Get Along well with others

¨       Are team players

To review to find a job you need to:

1)     Be clear on what your skills and abilities are

2)     Create a networking scripts

3)     Make a list of potential contacts (can be acquaintances)

4)     Network-Tell everyone you know to tell their friends as well

5)     Research the company before your interview

6)     Enjoy the benefits of gainful employment

Happy Hunting,

Deb