JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES that get you to WORK!10

Funded by Wagner Peyser

Make Progress in Your Job SearchAt Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Center, we specialize in getting people to work. It can be challenging for jobseekers to stand out from the crowd in today’s competitive job market.

Use these tips to help prepare you for success in your job search, whether you just started looking for a job, have been searching for a while or are considering a new career path.

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Who are you and why are you worth hiring? How are you communicating those two things? Just like a corporation, you need to develop a focused message and spread it across multiple platforms: personal, print, reputation and virtual. You buy a product for one of three reasons: it makes your feel good, it makes your life easier or it saves you money. Focus on those three things when marketing your brand. Avoid overused terms and descriptors that don’t define who you are.

1Define your personal brand.

10 Job Search Strategies

Looking for a job is the hard work. It is paramount that you stay mindful of your attitude and mental well-being. Negativity seeps into résumés, cover letters, interviews, social media and just about everywhere else. Stay positive by focusing on and maintaining your schedule with special attention to downtime when you can unplug, connect with your family or do whatever it is you do to recharge.

2Stay positive.

Keep every résumé you write; many of them can be reused with minor tweaks. Keep an updated schedule for yourself, just like you would at a job. Have copies of every possible document in case the employer asks for it. Work out a system for yourself that is comfortable for you, while allowing you to spread your time and energy appropriately across the various aspects of your job search. A job search is so much more than surfing the Internet and emailing résumés from home. Your phone could ring at any moment. Make sure you have your interview attire ready to go at all times. Be prepared for a networking opportunity anywhere, any time. Develop your elevator speech and never leave the house looking less than professional.

5Be prepared and stay organized.

Identify the skills and abilities the employer is looking for and focus your résumé on those items. Don’t include information they don’t care about and don’t stray from their established list of wants and desires. Study the company’s language on the vacancy announcement, website and social media and use that language. And always demonstrate why you fit!

4Target your resume.

What is your dream job? What jobs do you need to take between where you are now and where you ultimately want to be? Work out that map and focus on those jobs rather than spreading yourself thin by applying for everything for which you are qualified. A focused job search that has clear and passionate goals will help you stay focused and motivated, leading to higher quality documents, interviews and offers.

3Focus on quality, not quantity.

10 Job Search Strategies

You know some of the questions you are going to hear in the interview. Questions like ‘tell me about yourself,’ ‘what do you know about our company,’ ‘what are your strengths and weaknesses.’ Think about those questions and formulate answers that specifically target that employer. The interview is where you are going to land the job, so make sure you are smooth, prepared and focused. Practice general interview questions and behavior and do the research so you are as prepared as possible when the questions start flying!

7Practice interviewing.

You never know if an employer will even call your references but it is important that you have at least five good references ready to go at a moment’s notice. Ensure you have their up-to-date contact information and that they are prepared for the reference call. There is nothing worse than being blindsided by a reference check.

8Make a reference list.

6Fill résumé with accomplishments.A résumé is not a listing of previous job duties. A résumé is a showcase of your achievements, skills and accomplishments. Percentages, dollars and other firm numbers help to quantify your abilities. Your résumé is your billboard, so sell yourself by highlighting what YOU can DO for them.

About eighty percent of jobs are never advertised, so it is important to have a viable network in place and to use your network to your advantage when job searching or exploring career options. Develop your contacts and connect with people. Let everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Call, email, use social media and ask for leads, ideas and referrals. Keep expanding your network!

Network.10Be aware of your online presence and don’t be afraid to use social media to market yourself. Seventy-five percent of recruiters are required to do online research of candidates. If you know they are looking, you might as well use that opportunity to your advantage.

9Use social media.

Your workforce center has an array of tools to support local job-seekers, including resources and workshops for a self-directed job search, one-on-one employment counseling and training assistance. People who used Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Center in their job search earned an average of $13,824 more per year than those who did not!

isit your Workforce Center!V

Centennial - Regional Workforce CenterLima Plaza Campus6974 S. Lima StreetCentennial, CO 80112Ph: 303.636.1160Fax: 303.636.1250TTY: 303.636.1207

Castle Rock Workforce CenterLocated in the Philip S. Miller Library100 S. Wilcox Street, Suite 198Castle Rock, CO 80104Ph: 720.733.4321Fax: 720.733.4324

Aurora Workforce CenterAltura Plaza 15400 E. 14th Place, Ground LevelAurora, CO 80011Ph: 303.636.2014

CentrePoint - Aurora Satellite Workforce CenterCustomers of Arapahoe County Parents to Work! Program only CentrePoint Plaza 14980 East Alameda DriveAurora, CO 80012

Workforce Center Locations

10 Job Search Strategies

• Computers, printers, copiers, fax machines and internet

• Career readiness workshops

• Résumé assistance

• Job fairs, hiring events and informational sessions

• Self-directed job search and job retention resources

• Labor market information

• Apprenticeship and specialized occupation assistance

• Youth In the Works, Generations @ Work! and other targeted programs

• Federal Bonding Program and Work Opportunity Tax Credit

• Personality and career assessments

• One-on-one career guidance

• Enhanced re-employment services

Resource CenterServices

Must meet eligibility requirements for program enrollment

• Intensive job search support

• Training opportunities (if eligible)

• Assistance with job leads

• Employment readiness workshops and assessments to assist you with your employment search and career readiness

• GED preparation

• Attend an Informational /Intake Session scheduled weekly, posted on our website. Pre-registration is required.

Talent Development (WIA) Services

Visit our website for a complete list of

no-cost services and upcoming events

JOB SEEKERSERVICES

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