Job Search Step By Step

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Tips to Getting Your First Job

Job Search Step By Step

How Employers Hire
• The Hiring Process

A successful job search requires a variety of skills, tools, and strategies. The job search process can be summarized into five steps:


Evaluate Options	Explore Job Market	Create Resume	Apply for Jobs	Interview and Negotiate

1. Evaluate Options

The type of job you are searching for depends on your needs or wants. If the job market is tight, you cannot be as choosy. If you have lots of skills, experience and education your options are more open. If you are willing to be flexible as far as location, duties, benefits/pay, and schedule it will be easier to get a job. Next, evaluate yourself. What kind of job skills and education do you have to offer an employer? What transferable skills from daily living and volunteer work add to your job qualifications? The more open-minded you are, the easier it will be to get a job.

Consider also taking ISEEK's online Skills Assessment.

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2. Explore Job Market

The next step is to explore the jobs available that match your skills, interests, and work needs. Identify specific jobs you are interested in obtaining. Are there jobs available in your area? Do you have the required qualifications? Do you need additional training?

How do I explore the job market?

There are many ways to explore job market information. Position descriptions, industry and company literature, employment ads, and Internet websites are all good sources. Networking, informational interviews, job shadowing, professional associations, networking groups or internet discussion groups are beneficial as well.

The table below identifies ISEEK information sources.

Question	Where to search
What are the background and training requirements for your occupation of interest?	Find Careers
What are the typical wages for this occupation?	Find Salary information
Which industries are major employers for this occupation?	Find Industries
How do I research prospective employers in this field?	Research Employers
What prospective businesses are located in my area?	Find Businesses
How many have been recently hired in this field in Minnesota?	Minnesota Job Vacancies
What are the future trends for this field?	Careers in Demand

Researching the job market will help increase your:

job search confidence
control over the job search
decision making ability
knowledge during the interview
negotiating power once you receive a job offer
employment satisfaction once you obtain the job
potential for economic security

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3. Create Resume

Once you’ve identified your skills and those in demand by prospective employers, you are ready to create Resumes, Cover Letters, and Job Applications.

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4. Apply for Jobs

The next step is to Apply for Jobs. Find, review, and respond to job announcements using Job Websites. Learn how Apprenticeship Programs and Employment and Temporary Agencies can help you locate job opportunities.

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5. Interview and Negotiate

Although each job search is different, the end goal for everyone is to get an interview with an employer. See Interview and Negotiate to learn about interviews, benefits, and negotiations.

Source: Creative Job Search. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Page last updated in July 2008.