Job Search Quick Bits: Preparing for Your Search
We know you’re busy and sometimes a little is better than a lot. When you need “a bit” of information or inspiration, take a look at our Job Search Quick Bits.
How can I brand myself?
- Branding is the feeling part of how we market ourselves.
- To drive towards a meaningful career, you need to drive towards a personal brand.
- It starts by understanding who you are and what your reputation is.
- Once you understand who you are and what you want, think about your desired reputation and how you can get there.
- Describe yourself authentically based on your skills and experiences.
How specific should my goal statement be?
- When crafting a goal statement, is it acceptable to say broad locations as preference such as East Coast or West Coast?
- East Coast, West Coast, South, North – these are way too general. Be very comfortable naming a city (or two).
- Have a preference. Where do you really want to live?
- Your elevator pitch might include, “I would like to move to Charlotte, North Carolina, and find kind of job.”
- If you have family, friends, or your spouse want you to move to a different city, a long-distance search is totally possible. Just be clear about your preferences and go for it.
How should I prepare for a job fair or hiring event?
- Know which companies will be there and what positions they have open.
- Have a strategy before you go.
- Ask more questions like, “Tell me more about what you do.”
- When in doubt, be interested instead of interesting.
- Take lots of business cards!
- Take notes.
Why is my LinkedIn Headline important?
- LinkedIn searching is an algorithm and key words in your headline make it easy for the algorithm to select you.
- About those key words… put yourself in the hiring managers’ shoes and think about what keywords they are looking for.
- Add the city where you are searching for a job in your headline.
Where can I find information about the culture of a company or what it’s like to work there?
Check out Glassdoor.com where you’ll find:
- Job Board with job listings.
- Company reviews – the “YELP” of companies based on employee submissions.
- Salaries review – discover your market value.
