Job Search StrategiesErin Richey – Assistant Director, MBA Career Consultant

Office of Career ServicesRobert H. Smith School of Business

What is the first word that comes to mind when

you hear the term “JOB SEARCH”?

The online application “black hole”

Lack of feedback from employers

It’s a “numbers” game

Why Is A Job Search So Frustrating!?!

InterviewSuccessFomula.com Study – Via Forbes.com article - http://ow.ly/mbq94

▪ There were 3.6 million job openings at the end of 2012. About 80% of available jobs are never advertised.

▪ The average number of people who apply for any given job: 118. 20% of those applicants get an interview.

▪ Many companies use talent-management software (applicant tracking systems) to screen resumes, weeding out up to 50% of applications before anyone ever looks at a resume or cover letter.

Job Search Stats for the Digital Era

Job Search Stats for the Digital Era

On average, interviews last 40 minutes. After that, it usually takes 24 hours to two weeks to hear from the company with their decision.

What do employees look for before making an offer? About 36% look for multitasking skills; 31% look for initiative; 21% look for creative thinking; and 12% look for something else in the candidate.

In the U.S., 42% of professionals are uncomfortable negotiating salary. By not negotiating, an individual stands to lose more than $500,000 by the time they reach 60.

More than half (56%) of all employers reported that a candidate rejected their job offer in 2012.

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

Casting too wide a net Relying solely on the internet Not tailoring resume & cover letter

to each position Not spending enough time “in”

your search Not tracking progress Over qualifying network

connections Lack of follow-up Carelessness in application process Lack of a well-defined strategy

Common Job Search Mistakes

Discover Develop Connect Engage

These four words convey our values and play a vital role in the fulfillment of our OCS mission and promise to our students and employers

OCS Core Values

Discover• …Your

interests, skills and values

Develop• …Your

marketing documents and a detailed search strategy

Connect• …with

networks to identify opportunities and lower “barriers to entry”

Engage• …In a well

planned, focused and successful job search!

Developing A Winning Job Search Strategy

▪ What do you want?– What do you enjoy? What are you good at? What do you

value?– Clarify focus areas

▪ Importance of Assessments▪ Field, Function & Company Research

– wetfeet.com– careers-in-business.com – Virtual Business Information Center – vbic.umd.edu

*Your OCS coach is a great resource for this stage*

DISCOVER

DEVELOP

Now that you know WHAT you want, it’s time to get organizedMarketing Document Development– Resume– Cover Letter– Network Messaging Templates

Strategy Development– Source identification– Timeframe & Location Preferences– Getting Organized– Setting Goals

CONNECT

Networking in ActionImportance of NetworkingDeveloping An Outreach Strategy– Networks Brainstorm– Networking Tracking Spreadsheet– Informational Interviews

Networking Through Social Media– LinkedIn, Twitter & Facebook– Making the Most of LinkedIn Webinar

ENGAGE

Action Time!Tracking Your Progress & Keeping Score– Job Search Tracking Spreadsheet– Progress Scorecard

“Good Week” in a Job Search– Full Time vs. “While Working”– Quality vs. Quantity

Job Search TeamsPaying it Forward

Questions orComments?

DISCOVERDEVELOPCONNECTENGAGE