Lehigh University: Alumni

 

     

Key tips for your job search!

You've heard people say a job search is a job all by itself. That can be true—and as with any new job, there is a learning curve to it. To help you flatten that curve, we've provided some basic tips to get you started and move you forward.

We strongly recommend registering for our job searching web seminar series, which covers all of the major job search topics: job search strategies, cover letter and resume writing, networking, interviewing, and salary negotiations. You can also request our Career Toolkit, full of useful resources for your job search.

Assemble your tools

Dust off the resume. If you haven’t been keeping your resume updated, it’s time to revise. Review the resume section of the Career Toolkit to get tips on writing your professional summary, focusing on your accomplishments, and loading up your resume with industry key words. The Toolkit also provides an outline for you to follow as you begin composing your cover letter. Need a critique? Make an appointment with Lori or Robin, and we can assist you with formatting, editing, and ensuring that you are marketing yourself properly.

Begin thinking about your personal and professional network. You have heard that networking is the key to a successful job search. It’s true! More than 75% of available positions are filled via networking. Create a list of the people in your network—you know more people than you think.

Create your transition statement. Essentially this is your answer to the question “Why are you looking for a new job?” Two keys to remember when crafting this statement: be brief and be positive. You can learn more in the Toolkit and in the resume and cover letter web seminar.

Begin preparing for the interview. You may not have an interview yet, but you should always stay one step ahead and brush up on this very important skill, especially if it's been a long time since your last interview.  Register for our interviewing web seminar to learn how to effectively prepare for a behavioral interview and to get general interviewing tips. For those on the go, check out our podcast, "How telling stories can get you the job!"

Strategies for the search

There are many ways to search for a new job. For a successful job search, we recommend a combination of strategies. A job search, on average, can take six months or more. Employing a multi-pronged search can only help you find what you want, faster.

Internet: this is the tool you will use most when searching for positions, researching companies and looking for new contacts. To start, use only two of the major job search boards (Monster, Careerbuilder) and find three niche sites that are related to your specific field or industry. We also strongly recommend utilizing our Experience Alumni product.

Network! If 75 percent of positions available are secured via networking, then you should be spending 75 percent of your job searching time on this strategy. As suggested above, create a list of your networking contacts and add more to that list by seeking out Lehigh Alumni, creating a profile on LinkedIn and actively adding relevant contacts, and asking for networking referrals from your original contacts. Participate in our networking web seminar for specific networking strategies and tips on how to best utilize your networking contacts.

Create specific targets. Randomly applying for a ton of positions will get you nowhere fast. Targeting your job search can help you be more productive and give you goals to move toward. As you think about your targeting, consider the following factors:

• the specific job or industry in which you want to work
• the type of company or organization at which you want to work 
• the specific fields, geographic regions, and companies at which you have networking contacts
• your personal geographic preference.

Conduct informational interviews. This is an extension of your networking strategy. For more specifics on this, please refer to the Career Toolkit and participate in our networking seminar.  Essentially, informational interviewing can significantly impact your search by helping you to...

• learn more about your specific career field or a brand new one.
• generate more networking contacts.
• tap into the hidden job market.
• learn about positions that aren’t even posted. (Only 10 to 15 percent of available jobs are posted anywhere!)
• learn more about a specific company of interest.
• meet potential employers.

Think outside of the box.  While a significant portion of your time will be spent networking and researching online, there are several ways to generate job and networking leads:

• Tap into your professional association(s) or join one. Many associations have job postings and a membership directory online.
• Attend professional conferences and seminars.
• Utilize professional search firms. Investigate firms that specialize in your field to make this strategy more effective. Check out our listing of alumni who work for search firms.
• Register with an employment agency to seek out temporary opportunities. These can turn into permanent positions. There are many agencies that specialize in specific industries.
• Volunteer in your community. While you’re doing something positive for the community, you can also network!
• Stay updated on your field by reading business magazines, trade journals and the newspaper.
• Research company websites.
• Check out any local career fairs. These may be sponsored by local colleges or by your community.

We hope these quick tips get you started in the right direction for your job search. For more specifics on job searching strategies, we invite you to register for the job searching web seminar.