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Job Search SkillsJonathan Goodman
Executive Recruiter
Agenda
• Job Search as an Internal and External Exercise
• Internal Assessment and Preparation (Personal SWOT, Elevator Pitch, Social Media, Resume/Cover Letter
• Job Search (Research, Networking, Applying, Interviewing)
Job Search: Internal and External
• Internal Variables (Education, Experience, Strengths, Weaknesses)
• External Variables (Geography, Market, Industry)
Internal Assessment and Preparation
• What is your “product”? What value do you bring to an employer?
• Consider 2-3 job functions you are interested in and 2-3 industries you want to be associated with
• Think about how your background and experience fits within those functions and industries.
The Elevator Pitch
• A short synopsis of who you are, what your interests are, and what value you bring
• 30 seconds at most
The Elevator Pitch
I am a (fill in functional identity), currently/most recently with _________. I’m looking to take my interest in _____, along with my skills in (unique selling point) and (unique selling point) to (function/role) or (function/role), within (industry, industry, or industry).
SWOT Analysis
• Strengths and opportunities in the market: – What are my qualifications? – What are my unique selling points? – What needs exist that I am uniquely able to fill? – (Inputs: Resume, Success stories, MBA and other formal
education skills/experiences. Update with lessons learned from research and networking.)
• Weaknesses/threats:– What potential risks or challenges might I face in each target
function/industry? – Can I address them? (e.g., Lack of industry knowledge, Lack
of contacts in target industry/location, Bias toward former industry, Experience)
Social Media Strategy
Three basic rules:
1. Be professional
2. Be careful
3. Use Common Sense
Employers will check out your associated social media accounts• LinkedIn Profile (professional picture, good content,
networking groups)• Twitter feeds—be interesting and relevant• Blog—topics of interest• Facebook—be very cautious about what you post, have the
right privacy settings.
Resume and Cover Letter
Resume:• Format is not too important, but content is• No more than 2 pages• Be specific and quantify successes; avoid
buzzwords or fluff language
Resume and Cover Letter
Cover Letter• A necessary evil• Won’t get you a job, but could hurt your
chances if done poorly• Simple, and no more than 3 paragraphs
(Introduce yourself; Identify job and why you are interested and qualified; 3) Summarize and welcome next steps)
The Job Search
1. Identifying the job opportunities– Geography (Where can you/do you want to live)– Industry (Tech, financial services,
consulting/professional services)– Function (sales/marketing, operations, software
development, HR)– Culture (fast-paced, family friendly, competitive)– Target companies
The Job Search
• Networking strategies to find the right job and the right people to help– Some jobs that are available are posted, but
opportunistic positions are a possibility, and those are not posted. The best way to explore all opportunities is to network.
– LinkedIn: Leverage your connections (alumni base, prior companies, military, interests)
– Networking Events– Professional organizations– Community organizations
The Job Search
• Applying for jobs– Be realistic—OK to stretch a bit, but be self-
aware– Provide all necessary information– Apply online if necessary, but no harm in
getting someone internally in your network to submit for you. Could be a win-win situation
– Work with recruiters properly—don’t overcommunicate
Interviewing
• Interview Skills and strategies– Do your research on company and people
you will be interviewing with– Be specific when answering questions– Prepare questions to ask interviewers– Send thank you notes/emails
Go Blue!
BEAT STATE! Or, at least score more than 0 points!
