For Job Seekers- Getting Started...
We recommend that before you submit your resume to us or anyone else, you take the time to contemplate the questions we’ve listed below. These are basic questions that are pre-requisites to beginning an effective job search and spending time on them now can save you future headaches (something we’ve learned from working with job seekers over the years).
If you are a job-seeker who is on-ramping back into the workforce after time out wih kids, you can get help working through these questions as well as other aspects of the on-ramping process (finding your focus and mojo, networking, preparing for an interview, negotiating, etc.) in our electronic guide: The On-Ramping Guide: Tips, Exercises and Important Job Search Steps for Returning to Work After Time Out Raising Kids.
What kind of job do you really want?
The more focused you can be about the kind of work you are seeking, the better your chances are of getting what you want. People sometimes think that being “wide open” with the type of work they are seeking will increase their chances of finding a position. In some cases, this is true, but if the reason you are “wide open” is because you haven’t taken the time to determine your focus, it can end up hindering your chances for finding a position. If an employer has a hard time determining your focus, they are less likely to be interested in you as compared to a candidate whose resume and interview performance clearly reflects the skills needed for the position they seek to fill.
For referrals to resources that can help you sort through these
questions, see Resources
for Job Seekers.
How’s your resume?
It doesn’t do much good to have a stellar track record if it isn’t conveyed well in your resume! Your resume is what gets your foot in the door, so don’t underestimate its importance. Think of your resume as an advertisement of sorts, and implement strategies that make the reader WANT to read it. Plan to catch the reader’s attention toward the top of the page, and use the right keywords to convey your skills and experience since a computer is likely to read your resume before a person does. If you are looking to minimize a gap from several years out of the workforce or are making significant career changes, you might consider using a skills based resume (pdf).
For referrals to resources that can help you sort through your
resume issues, see Resources
for Job Seekers.
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When can you start?
Perhaps you are in a situation where you’ve been out of the workforce and are contemplating going back. Perhaps you are in a situation where you are working full-time but have contemplated finding something part-time. Figuring out the logistical requirements or potential emotional hurdles of starting a new job or ending a current one is better done BEFORE you begin the interview process rather than after you have an offer in your hand. For example, thinking through and investigating child-care options might uncover some additional hurdles for you (financial, emotional) that make you realize you want to delay your return to work for several months or more. Entering the interview process with a clear and realistic understanding of your availability will provide you with confidence that will translate into a better interview.
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