Career Transition Coaching

8 Tips for the Ideal Job Search

By Mark S. James, CPC

If one of your goals is to find a new job, then these tips are for you. During the past eighteen years, I've interviewed hundreds of executives, and along the way, I've discovered a thing or two about how to conduct an effective job search.

These steps will increase your chances of landing the right job:

1.  Create your Professional Objective.

The first step in the job-search process is to determine your ideal position. Being able to concisely define and articulate your desired job description makes it easier to plan and prioritize your search. Even more important, it also helps others understand how they can help you. Essentially you must outline your professional objective by describing your ideal job. 

2.  Create your Job Search Marketing Plan.

Ideally this should be a single page that addresses who, what, where, and how of your job search. 

Who: List target industries; identify and rank desired company characteristics (such as culture, size, products and/or services). 

What: Position titles, roles, and responsibilities, accountabilities and a degree of autonomy. 

Where: Include geographic considerations, and travel requirements. 

How: Tap into your network for generating leads and referrals. Leads can come from school and company alumni groups, industry executives and board members, local chamber of commerce events, investment and accounting firms, and management consultants. Learn how to utilize executive search firms and tapping into the hidden job market. Warning: Don't look for career success on the internet job listings and want ads. 

3.  Develop a Target Company List.

This is an offshoot of the previous tip. It's a good idea to make a list of specific companies in industries that meet your geographic and business criteria. Such lists can stimulate the thinking of your contacts by giving them concrete names to work from. Basically, it helps unleash the power of your network. 

4.  Network Aggressively.

Networking Works! Don't make your search a secret. Networking is still the most effective way to find a new position. Make a list of everyone who could possibly help your search -- former colleagues, classmates, neighbors, your vet, etc. Prioritize the list according to your Job Search Marketing Plan. Start at the top and get the word out. Respect individuals' time, try to get three additional contacts from each person you talk to, identify actions and follow-ups, offer to reciprocate, and keep your network up to date. 

5.  Market your Credentials.

Is your resume well developed to conduct a professional job search? If not, get professional help to update this critical document. Your resume is a product description of your capabilities as an executive. So how is this product marketed? Surely not with a form cover letter. Think about resume distribution in much the same way that you would approach product marketing. Do your homework to understand "customer needs," grab your audience's attention, articulate a compelling value proposition, create a sense of urgency, and distinguish yourself from other "products." 

6.  Learn how to Interview Effectively.

You must be able to identify and express your strengths, skills, competencies and value as they relate to an employer's needs. Anticipate perceived problem interview questions and be ready to discuss your “Positioning Statement” (2 minute elevator speech) and “Exit Statement” (why you are looking for a new job) to help you separate yourself from the competition during face to face and phone screening interviews. 

7.  Manage your search like you would a business.

Establish and monitor deliverables on a weekly basis. Ask some trusted friends to serve as your personal "Board of Directors", to provide ongoing encouragement and a sounding board for you during your search. Consider hiring a Career Transition Coach to help you set realistic, tangible goals for your search, and to hold you accountable and focused on the day-to-day blocking and tackling of a structured Job Search Marketing Plan.  

8.  Take time for other priorities.

Looking for a job is a full-time job. Finding the right job takes time, and while it's important to keep moving forward, it's also important to be patient. Focusing 100 percent of your waking attention on a job search may burn you out. It's essential to stay refreshed by doing some activities outside of your search. Join a local community board. Volunteer some time to your favorite charity fundraiser. Spend quality time with your friends and family. Exercise regularly. Read several self-help books. Take some time for yourself and improve your life. 

Mark S. James, CPC  is the Founder and President of Hire Consulting Services and he is a Certified Personnel Consultant who has been providing executive search, career transition coaching services for over 18 years. As a Career Transition Coach and Executive Recruiter, Mark provides a very unique perspective for people that are in career transition and for professionals that may need to improve their focus on managing their career path. He also specializes in the recruitment and placement of middle to senior level executives in a wide variety of disciplines and industries for small to large companies. His early background includes over 24 years in sales, marketing and operations management positions with Fortune 500 companies including; Bayer, MRI, Polaroid, Pepsi and Gallo and United Parcel Service. 

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