The job search process can seem very overwhelming but with SkillStorm’s guide to maximizing your job search, you can easily get on track to finding your career path. The job search process can be divided into two parts—preparing for your job search and implementing it.

Preparing For Your Job Search
The first step in preparing for your job search is deciding what it is that you would like to do. It would be nearly impossible to find a job or career path if you don’t know what you want to do. In fact, that will most likely be the first question asked by many recruiters and potential employers. If you don’t have a good answer for this question, your recruiter will be unable to effectively help you find your perfect job match.

The next step is to put together a resume, including an online version. For helpful information on creating a professional resume, check out our Resume Writing Tips at www.skillstormfamily.com/resumetips.
Remember to use a professional email address on your resume as opposed to user names such as Hottie123@xyz.com.

Implementing Your Job Search
A good way to implement your job search is to reach out to a local recruiter, such as a SkillStorm recruiter, depending on your field of expertise. As the saying goes, two heads are better than one and a recruiter will help you find opportunities you might otherwise not find on your own. Recruiters can find the best fit for your specific skills and career needs, whether you are looking for a short-term or permanent position.

Another good way to implement your job search is to select a few job posting sites and focus your search on those sites. There are hundreds of different job posting sites on the web so it may seem like an overwhelming task to navigate through all of them. Choosing a few key sites, such as Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com, will help you focus on companies and opportunities that are of interest to you. If you have selected potential employers, track down and visit the employer’s website for more information about the company.

Online networking sites are also a great resource during your job search. Sites such as LinkedIn.com, Facebook.com and Ziggs.com are great ways to network with recruiters, potential employers and other job seekers. One thing to keep in mind when using online networking sites is to pay attention to your online persona. Potential employers may be viewing your online profiles or reading your blog so make sure to keep it professional.

One of the most important aspects of your job search is following up with companies you have contacted. You should be relentless but polite. For example, once you send your resume, follow up with a phone call to make sure it was received by the correct person. This is a good opportunity to also ask about the position for which you’ve sent your resume. Following up via email is also acceptable but keep in mind that not every email message sent is received and read. Many companies have sensitive spam mail filters and your message may end up in a junk folder so following up by phone is highly recommended.

Another helpful habit is to track your job search. You should set up a process so you know where you have sent your resume, what job sites have given you the best results, what interviews you have set up, etc. There are even websites such as Jibberjobber.com that will help you track your job searching progress.