Job Search

Job-Hunting Do's and Don'ts

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

Here are the keys to successful job-hunting.

• Do use all avenues/methods of job-hunting available. And do have a job-hunting strategy.

   

• Do take advantage of all Web-based job-hunting methods, including general job-hunting sites, industry-specific job sites, company sites, and networking sites.

   

• Do know the Job-Search Domino Effect.

   

• Don't rely on any one method of job-hunting, especially job-hunting on the Internet (which should be at most 25% of your efforts).

   

• Do have a professional looking resume and cover letter. And do use action verbs in your cover letters and resume.

   

• Do focus on identifying your key accomplishments. Also, do use transferable skills to better explain your work experience -- especially for recent college grads and career changers.

   

• Do consider developing a job skills portfolio.

   

• Do consider having multiple versions of your resume, including a traditional formatted resume, text-based (ASCII) resume, and a Web-based resume.

   

• Don't expect to get a new job overnight; job-hunting takes time and patience. But do take some time to reflect on your strategies if you have been job-hunting for several months and have not had any success.

   

• Don't quit your current job until you have a new job.

   

• Do know the current dress for success rules for job-hunting.

   

• Do take advantage of your friends, family, and colleagues to network, network, network. And don’t simply rely on passive job-hunting methods.

   

• Don't get discouraged if you’ve been fired or downsized.

   

• Do follow-up all job leads. And do be persistent; there is truth to the "squeaky wheel" cliché.

   

• Do make sure a potential employer can reach you. Provide your home phone, work phone (if you can handle the calls discretely), cell phone, and email. And do make sure that your voicemail (or user name for e-mail) is professional.

   

• Do prepare and practice for your interviews. And do ask questions at the interview.

   

• Do research on all companies that interest you.

   

• Do send thank you letters to all people who interview you.

   

• Do make sure you know these other job-hunting do's and don'ts: Job-Hunting Do's and Don'ts Articles.