FYI Candidates – March 2009
Job Seeking: Your Newest, Full-time Job
by Orrick Nepomuceno, CPC, Vice President
Many individuals believe that the process of finding a job is something that is completed by dedicating just an hour or two (if that) a day to searching job descriptions and posting resumes. While this approach works for some, in most cases it is a sure way to ensure your search lasts an extended period of time. The truth of the matter is that your job search should be looked at as your full-time job until you have actually found the right position. It is a process that requires time, effort and dedication; go about the process without these, and a prospective employer will know.
If you’re wondering how exactly you could be expected to spend so much time looking for a job, then you are probably not going about the process the right way to begin with. So, let’s take a look at the six components of a successful job search:
- Research: There should never be a position to which you apply where you do not first research the company. You should spend time reading the website, any available marketing materials, press releases, and even conducting general Google searches to investigate any newsworthy articles or blogs that have been written internally or by others. Seek to uncover in particular the mission, vision and core values of each organization. This is crucial in identifying whether there is a good cultural match between yourself and the organization.
- Job Boards: It is sometimes very easy for good candidates to get stuck utilizing the same job boards on a repetitive basis, which limits the amount of opportunity available. There are hundreds if not thousands of job boards out there. You not only have the big, most common ones such as Yahoo!®, CareerBuilder and Monster, but you have associations and professional organizations, and colleges and universities which also allow organizations to post openings. Be creative. Think outside of the box when you are seeking out opportunities and don’t just get stuck in the same old job boards that you have always used.
- Networking: While it can be as easy as attending a dinner party, networking takes time and effort. It’s not just a one shot deal. According to Arkansas Online Jobs, a publication of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, “There are networking opportunities every day. It’s done at parties, dinners, events, small gatherings, birthdays, volunteer activities, and ceremonies. It happens at the gym, the grocery store, and the garage. Talk to anyone and everyone including those new to an industry and old pros, those in school and those overseas. They all matter.” But the great thing about networking is that even though it’s time consuming, it is fun…especially when you come across that “right” connection who says: “The perfect position just opened up for you in my office. Would you be interested in an interview?”
- Resume Submission: Every job and every employer is different. This means that your cover letter should be customized to fit every individual opportunity. The name of the hiring manager should be customized as well as the position and company name, and you should modify the body to ensure your qualifications match the job description.
- Practice, practice, practice: Whether you are practicing with friends and family, using a tape recorder or even a video camera, practicing for interviews is crucial to your success. This means not only writing down a series of questions you expect to be asked, but also writing those you intend to ask of the interviewer.
- Follow-up: The practice of writing thank you notes as a follow-up to an interview may seem antiquated, but it is also sure to get you noticed. It is not only polite and sincere, but it demonstrates respect for the interviewer’s time. Make sure to send one by email immediately following and a slightly different, more robust version by snail mail within 24 hours of the interview to all those individuals with whom you met.
As you can see, there are quite a few components or steps that need to be included for each and every position you consider during your search. When taken all together, it should now be easy for you to see why we recommend that you spend such a large portion of your day dedicated to this effective and proven process. Just remember: You will reap what you sow. In other words, if you’re serious and willing to give it the time it requires, your reward will be great.
About the Author
Orrick Nepomuceno, CPC, is Vice President at Dick Wray Executive Search and author of “Hitchhiker in the Corner Office: Avoiding the Top-10 Potholes So Your Employees Don’t Hit the Road.” With nearly 20 years of experience in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industries, Orrick consults executives and companies in recruiting, hiring and retaining human capital for their organizations. Visit the Restaurant and Foodservice Blog to read more of Orrick’s blog relating to the restaurant industry.