Questions for Job Seekers

An article in The Dallas Morning News - Parade in the July 17, 2011, issue on page 6, “Start Your Job Hunt” includes the following seven questions for job seekers from the book Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview by Ellen Gordon Reaves:

1.    What’s your time-line? – Figure out how long you can afford to look.

2.    Do you know what you really want to do? – List three skills you enjoy using, three tasks you don’t like performing, and three companies you’re interested in.

3.    Do you have a 30-second pitch? – You should be ready with a sound bite describing what you’re looking for and what you can offer an employer.

4.    Do you have supporting materials? – You’ll need a business card with contact info, a businesslike cell phone message and social media presence, a resume, and a cover letter tailored to each job.

5.    Do you look ready to look? – You need to get a haircut and perhaps buy new interview clothes.

6.    Do you have a job-hunting space? – It can be a library or a Starbucks – but you need a place where you can focus.  You’ll also need a quite spot from which to make calls.

7.    Who’s in your network? – List all the communities you belong to: volunteer, sports, virtual, religious, neighborhood, high school, college, etc.  Identify friends and current/former colleagues with whom to set up exploratory interviews.

I think that Ms. Reese’s questions are excellent and that every job seeker should develop an action plan to respond to each question. My studies indicate that trained job seekers will become employed significantly faster than those who are less prepared. 

    

Are you a prepared job seeker?   Please share with readers of this blog your suggestions as to how job seekers should prepare for interviews.

Thanks!

Glyn