Job Search Strategies that Maximize Results

Location: POD 60Phone: (416) 979 – 5177Email: career@ryerson.caHours: Mon – Thu 8:30 am – 6:30 pm/Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Career Development WorkshopsGet Ready

Know yourself and what you wantGet Set

Present yourself with styleGO

Make your move

• Discover Your Career Passion

• The “Wow” Factor: Resumes & Cover Letters that stand out

• Job Search Strategies that Maximize Results

• Pinpointing Resources for Career Planning

• Interview Techniques that Land the Job

• Leveraging Social Media for Your Job Search

• Grad School Application Essentials

• LinkedIn: Developing Career Connections & Effective Profiles

• Keep It Pro: Business Etiquette & Dress

• Make it a Breeze: Transitioning from School to Work

• Don’t Slurp the Soup! Tips for Dining Etiquette Success

• Showing Achievements: Crafting an Engaging Portfolio

Agenda

1. Introduction• 2 truths about jobs

2. Reactive vs. Proactive

3. Conducting a Proactive Job Search

• Company Research• Networking• Cold Calling• Information Interview• Social Media

4. Summary

Introduction

People get: People: • Promoted

• Fired • Sick • Injured• Contract / work term ends

• Quit • Move • Retire • Die• Go back to school• Go on leave (medical,

parental, vacation, sabbatical)

New jobs are being created each month!

2 fundamental truths about jobs:

Truth #1 – There are always jobs available

Introduction

2 fundamental truths about jobs:

Truth #2 – Finding a job depends on what methods of job search you are using

Reactive vs. ProactiveMost job seekers use the following methods to look for work:

Job postings on the InternetJob ads in newspapers, journals,

binders, bulletin boards, etc.

Employment agencies/headhuntersthey are interested in

Send resumes to companies/organizations

Networking and social media (LinkedIn, FB,

Twitter, etc.) ,cold calling

Reactive

Proactive

Reactive vs. ProactiveEmployers tend to use the following methods to find applicants:

Look for internal/known candidates

Seek recommendations from trusted friends/colleagues and social media

(LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

Use employment agencies/recruiters

Refer to unsolicited resumes or those identified by ASP

technology

Adson Internet,

newspapers,journals, etc.

Conducting a Proactive Job Search

Target Your Search• Identify your job target

Focus On:• You, your needs, goals • Behaviours, personal beliefs,

values, interests, personality• Skills, aptitudes, work styles

Conducting a Proactive Job Search

• Company Research• Networking• Cold Calling• Information Interview• Social Media

Company Research

Company Research

Conduct Research

• Research 50-100 organizations/ companies/ businesses

• Focus on where & who you want to work for

• How employers fit with your career path

Company Research

Evaluate:

• Advancement opportunities

• Corporate climate

• Future growth of organization

• Company philosophy / vision

• Company reputation

Company Research

• Company websites• Career Resource Centre

(POD 60A)• Directories and

almanacs

• Workshop • “Pinpointing Resources

for Career Planning”

• www.yellowpages.ca

• Search “By Proximity”

Resources:

Networking

"It's not what you know, but who you know!"

Networking

Key purposes of networking:

• Information • Advice • Guidance

Networking

• Meetings • Professional associations

• Trade shows • Job fairs • Conferences • Chamber of commerce • Networking events

Contacts can be made through:

Activity: Elevator Pitch

Who you are• Name, present status / situation

What you have to offer• Brief skills / strengths / experience

statement

Next steps • Link to next step in hiring or ask

question regarding opportunities / advice

Your personal ‘commercial’ needs to inform and persuade. Include:

Elevator Pitch

1. Who you are

I am a ______________who has _______years experience with (or in) _________. If it is relevant to mention your education, do it here.

2. What you have to offer

My main areas of study (experience, knowledge) are:1. _____________ 2. _____________ 3. _____________

3. Next steps

Close with an open-ended question

30 Second Presentation:

Elevator Pitch

Example:

• “What are the most immediate needs your company may have that I can help you with?”

• “Based on the skills and knowledge I’ve shared with you, what would you look for career wise if you were me?”

• “Do you know of any companies I could approach that may need people with my background?”

• “Based on the skills I’ve just shared with you, what might you do?” (USE IN AN ADVICE CALL ONLY)

Ask an open-ended question to end your presentation

Cold Calling

Cold Calling

• By phone

• Through e-mail

• In person

• To find out who to speak to

Cold Calling can be done:

If you get turned down, don’t take this as a personal rejection!

Cold Calling

Caller: Hello my name is ________. I am conducting some labour market research to determine the qualifications required for me to work as a(n) ________. Can you please tell me the name of someone I can speak to?

Receptionist: That would be Mr./Ms. ________.

Caller: That’s great! One more question, does Mr./Ms. ___ have a direct line?

Receptionist: Yes. #### OR No. You have to go through the main #

Caller: Thank you very much. Could you transfer me to Mr./Ms.________?

Getting past the gatekeeper (receptionist / secretary)

Cold Calling

When you have reached the Contact:

Hello my name is _____ and I am conducting some labour market research on the field of _________.

I have a background in _________ Mention 2 or 3 of your top skills_________, and would like to know more about the qualifications or training required for this career.

What qualifications... Ask open-ended question

Getting past the gatekeeper (receptionist / secretary)

At the end of the call, remember to thank the person you have been talking to!

ActivityIn groups of 2:

• Practice your elevator pitch within the context of a cold call

• Discuss alternative strategies for getting past a “gatekeeper”

Information Interviews

Information Interviews

• Career planning• Work search• Developing connections• Gaining industry insider

knowledge

Useful for:

Types:• In-person meeting• Telephone• Online

Information Interviews

• Occupational outlook• Educational background• Possible opportunities

• A specific company• An industry• Salary

Ask about:

Information Interviews

• What is a typical day like in this occupation?• How did you get into this field?• What do enjoy the most about your work?• What are some of the frustrations?• Where are the best places to look for work in this field?• What job opportunities are available?• Where can I go from here?• Would you be able to recommend another person to talk

to? Recommend a school? A program?• What else should I know?

Sample Questions:

Information Interviews

1. Research the profession, career, work

2. Research companies in that field

3. Identify a contact person and make contact!

The process:

Information Interviews

• Arrange meeting date / time• Be accommodating / flexible• Decide: What information do I need to

make a decision?• Decide: What questions will I ask?

Before the interview:

During the interview:• Be true to your intentions!• Confirm if ‘okay’ to take notes and/or record session• Be mindful of time

After the interview:• Evaluate your session • Thank your Interviewee!

Social Media

Attend our LinkedIn and/or social media workshop!

www.whoplusyou.com

Keeping a Record of Your Job Search

• Binder/Paper

• Excel spread sheet

• Online: My Job Cards (Facebook), Jibber Jobber

Summary

Increase your likelihood of employment opportunities by using a variety of job search strategies and being

proactive with your approach!

Resources

Career Resource Centre – POD60A

Connect With Us!

Contact Information:

Location: POD 60

Phone: (416) 979 – 5177

Email: career@ryerson.ca

Hours: Mon. – Thur. 8:30 am – 6:30 pm Fri. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

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www.ryerson.ca/career