The Four Basic Steps to a Successful Job Search - Step 2

As stated in Step 1 - Make Contacts, a job search is really very simple.

And this bears repeating.

No secrets, no magic, no special skills or hidden markets...just four simple steps.
BUT you do need to take action. You do need to make the effort. And you do need to keep at it, to stay the course. It is your responsibility, and your responsibility alone, to start and to stop.

Step 2 is Follow Up.

"Success comes from taking the initiative and following up..." Anthony Robbins

Once you have started, initiated contacts, then you assume the responsibility to stay in touch. It is up to you to keep the contact going.

Not only is it very unlikely that the employer, recruiter, contact, with whom you are trying to connect will have the time or be able to make the effort to respond to your application, resume, email or phone call; but when you follow up you also take the opportunity to demonstrate your interest, seriousness, commitment, persistence and many other desirable qualities.

In fact, most employers await your follow up to see how you handle yourself. And the applicants that follow up are always more likely to get the employers attention.

Add to your follow up efforts by thinking of, and doing, things that add value to your application.

Share information of interest to the employer. Email a website, an article, or news that shows your deeper interest in the company and gives something of value to them.

But, above all, stay in touch. Even if it is a 30 second phone message or a brief email message that expresses your continued interest and availability, staying in touch is a requirement.

If you need help in following up and staying in touch, do so with us at JVS.
Visit us at www.jvsdet.org
Let us help.

Walt

Walt Tarrow, wtarrow@jvsdet.org, www.LinkedIn.com/in/walttarrow

The ABCs of Job Search - Part 1

A is for Apply.

Apply to every job that you meet at least 1/2 of the requirements.
Apply to everywhere you want to work even if the company is not hiring; especially if the company is not hiring. They will be hiring some day and you will be at the front of the line; maybe there won't even be a line, just you.

B is for Build Connections.

Build connections to keep your application, your resume, you out of cold storage and moving on to the next step, to the interview and beyond.
Build new contacts and forge those contacts into connections to advise, to inform, to support and to refer you to other connections.

C is for Care.

Care about the job opening and act like it.
Care about the company and act like it.
Care about the people that work there and act like it.
Care about your network, your connections, your family, your friends and ACT like it.