Career and Life Planning

Resources

• Job Search

  The job search is an art and a science. An art, because no two jobs hunts are alike—each person will see and respond to situations differently, and there is no one formula for success. A science, because there are some basic tasks and procedures that need to be followed in order to move forward effectively. Here are the basics—what you absolutely need to know in order to conduct an effective job search.

  Be prepared for a long process. In a recent survey of graduating college seniors, the average length for a job search was three months. Yours might take less—or more—time. Another survey suggests that a job-hunter should prepare to search for one month per every $10,000 they made in their previous job. Clearly, search times will vary depending on the state of the economy.

  One thing is certain, however. Before beginning any job search, it is absolutely vital to be able to describe yourself, not only in terms of the position or job title you want, but in terms of your skills, work values, interests, and professional characteristics.

  You don’t have to learn to “toot your own horn.” You do have to be very clear about what you can offer an employer. If you feel you may have some difficultly doing this (and everyone does, at some point), contact CLP for some helpful tips and exercises.

  “A job search is a series of planned conversations.” That’s it. If you can plan (and you can), you can do this. If you can speak and listen clearly (and you can—quietly, enthusiastically, doesn’t matter), you can do this. A job search is a series of planned conversations.

  The actual job search takes a lot of work and is full of surprises. It involves a process of getting to know yourself and beginning to articulate yourself in an entirely new way. But chances are you know more about yourself than you think you do, and you’re a better communicator than you usually recognize. Take courage and proceed. You have absolutely nothing to lose.

  Step 1: Research
  Step 2: Your Contact List
  Step 3: Planning Your Conversations
  Step 4: Making Contact
  Step 5: Phone Calls
  Lastly: Job Checklist

• Résumé Writing

  Download our Résumé Writing guide.

• Cover Letters and Emails

  Download our Cover Letters and Emails guide.

• Effective Interviewing

  Download our Effective Interviewing guide.