How To Successfully Approach Your Job Search

In my ongoing evolution and support of jobseekers, everything that I share are just recommendations that I have used from my past job searching experiences on what has worked for myself. These are also recommendations from many others that have also gone through a search along with feedback from recruiters, hiring managers, career coaches and career advisors. Keep in mind that every search is different and each of the recommendations may or may not work for your search.

What I do want you to take from this is that you have support - a job search is not easy but there is light at the end of the tunnel and I want to make it easier for you.

Getting Started with The Job Search Plan

This tool really helped me when I was searching - it helped me understand what direction I wanted to go and it was a good document to share with connections so they could understand exactly what I was looking for.

What is a job search plan?

This isn’t a resume, it is sharable document that is a valuable start to your search. It helps you stop, think and understand what your next move is and it also helps others understand what you are looking for in detail. You have to be able to understand your what and why, this document does that.

The job search plan has 10 areas of focus.

1) Professional objective - the level you are looking (VP, director, entry level) and details of what you can bring to the table, this is very similar to your resume objective. Explain what your objective is

2) Preferred functions - these are your area of interest. Example would include digital or social media, accounting, engineering and so on.

3) Positioning statement - explains how you fill a market need and how you can stand apart - why should someone consider you for a position. You can provide more

4) Competencies - knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that contribute to individual and organizational performance.

Target market characteristics

5) Geographic location (s) - The city and location in which you would like to work. Remote or in the office. This is the area to share some location expectations.

6) Industry or type of organization - my example would be - Entertainment based industries including telecommunications, programming, sports, tourism, music, movies, publishing, museums, horse racing; Consumer Goods/QSR; Technology; Marketing/Advertising Firms; Manufacturing; Health Care

7) Size of organization - large or small

8) Organizational Culture - What you are looking for in an organizaton; Integrity, professional, teamwork, goal and data-driven, encourages and rewards risk-taking, team-driven, solicits opinions from employees

9) Recent resume submissions - not necessary but will give people an idea of who you are talking to and if you have already submitted your resume.

10) Brand target list by industry - the actual brands you are interested in. I listed mine into 5 different categories. This helps you identify those companies you have an interest in. This part will also help you when it comes time for networking.

?? Click here to access to the job search plan template

LinkedIn Profile Optimization Tip

You profile photo - Use an updated and professional profile photo. I opted for a professional photo so that if someone sees me out on the street, they will be able to recognize that it is me. This is your chance to make a great first impression. Avoid logos or blurry images with distorted backgrounds.

Job Search Tip of the Week - Being patient advice from?Trevor Houston.

You’re getting ghosted & companies are slow... I know, I get it...

But you need to understand their timeline is not your timeline.

In the beginning, when you’re getting all these interviews, you’re like, OH! Your excitement levels are up!

But after time goes by your patience starts to fizzle and drain. ??

Don’t let that happen.

Once you get to that final round of interviews, you seem like you don’t want it...

So, don’t let your energy fizzle... Remain excited!

We support many recruiters and hiring managers. This week Kelly Robinson has the following positions available. Tell them you heard about it from here.

• Contractor - Senior Systems Engineer (Remote)
• Front-End Developer (Remote)
• Talent Acquisition Partner - ALL LEVELS TAP (Remote) Philadelphia, PA
• Inclusion, Diversity & Culture Manager (Remote)
• Manager, Transaction Services - New York, NY
• Client Service Implementation Manager (Remote)
• Talent Acquisition Ambassador (Remote)
• Talent Acquisition Partner - ALL LEVELS TAP (Remote)
• Sales and Marketing Operations Associate (Remote)

?? Link to all the Panda Knows Career Openings

Thank you for everyone that has subscribed to my newsletter.

My main goal is to support jobseekers with tools and resources to help in your search. You are not alone! Each week, I plan to provide useful articles,?Job Searching Tips, Career Resources, Career News, LinkedIn Tips, Resume Tips and job openings.

I value your support and hope that you consider sharing this newsletter with other you think will benefit. Have a great day and alway reach out via LinkedIn DM for questions or comments.

See you next week ??