Job Search Tips

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Tips to Getting Your First Job

Job Search Step By Step

How Employers Hire
• The Hiring Process

The majority (80 percent or more) of job openings are not advertised. Most employers have enough applicants without advertising, and prefer to hire on a referral from someone they trust.

There are a variety of strategies that increase the chances of identifying job openings and to break into the hidden job market. These techniques include:

The strategies above keep you connected with potential employers and keep the lines of communication open. Situations change often. An employer who is not hiring today may be looking for someone with your qualifications tomorrow.

Networking

Networking involves talking with people, formally or informally, who might know about possible jobs in their companies, industries or communities. Networking is not the same as asking for a job—usually your networking contacts will not be potential employers. Find out more by visiting ISEEK’s Form a Network.

Informational Interviewing

An Informational Interview is a networking effort with potential employers and professionals within a specific industry. This technique is used to gather information regarding skills, training and experience needed for an occupation. It's also a method to learn about a specific company or industry. Never ask for a job during an informational interview.

Direct Employer Contact

As your networking produces referrals you will have to make direct contacts in-person, by phone, or by e-mail. If you have received a referral from a networking contact, use his or her name when approaching an employer.

Tips for e-mail communication

Identify yourself in a professional manner. Avoid nicknames or unprofessional names in your e-mail address. Employers might think it is spam and delete it without reading it.
If you do not want a potential employer to see your picture, do not post the picture at FaceBook, MySpace and other social networking sites.
Keep messages short and concise.
Introduce your self with something of interest to the reader.
Be specific- you are looking for information or you would like to schedule a meeting.
Check for proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Give your message a descriptive and enticing subject.
When replying to someone else's message, include or summarize the original message.
AVOID USING ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. In electronic communication it is the equivalent of shouting.
In heated messages, respond to the subject, not the individual. If you are angry, wait several hours or a day to respond.
Finish with your intent to follow-up and an alternative way the person can contact you. If you send e-mail to someone without their permission, find out if they would prefer some other form of communication. Include a phone number where they can reach you.
If you do not receive a reply, and you are serious about making contact, try a different form of communication (call them on the phone).

Internet Discussion Forums

The Internet is an excellent networking tool. From the comfort of a personal computer, you can access people who share your interests. Newsgroups, message boards, e-mail groups, and chat rooms are all sources for Internet networking.

Tips for group discussion

Keep your communication consistent with the intended group topic.
Keep your response directed to the current subject.
Don't change the subject in the middle of the thread.
Don't add a new subject to an existing thread.
If you want to start a new discussion, begin with a new subject.
Consider when to respond to the group or to a specific individual.
Respond to the individual if your reply is personal, not consistent with the group's topic, or if you want to limit the response.
Respond to the group when your reply is of interest to the group.
Find out if the group has published a FAQ (frequently asked questions) file and read it before participating in the discussion.

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