4 Lessons Learned from Job Search in 2010

4 Lessons Learned from Job Search in 2010 This post is one of many Career Collective posts by career and resume experts on things job seekers should keep an eye on in 2011 .   I am honored to be part of this group and want to thank   Miriam Salpeter, of Keppie Careers, and Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, of Career Trend, for coordinating this initiative now on its second year.   You will find links to the other expert posts at the bottom.   I highly encourage you to read them all and bookmark them for future reference or sharing with friends and family.   If you are on Twitter, you can see our community by following #careercollective. January is a wonderful month to reflect on what worked and didnt work in 2010.   Granted, 2010 might be a year many job seekers want to forget, but there were many valuable lessons learned and things to do differently in the New Year. In my work with job seekers, there are some trends and practices that I want to make you are aware of. There is no magic bullet to a successful job search What I mean is, there is no single thing you can do to secure a new job.   It is a process and a project that needs to be managed.   When I talk to people whove landed new jobs and ask what their secret was, the answers usually fall into two camps:   their search became more focused   or they networked more and with greater clarity and sense of purpose. How Can You Focus Your Search Instead of applying for any job that looks close to what youve done in the past, go back to square one and really define what you love to do and what you are good at doing and what culture   will be a good match.   Now, research jobs and companies.   You can use tools like: ONet: a multifaceted tool to research occupations and skills, there is also a quick skills assessment- no cost Indeed: A job board aggregator searches most of the major job posting boards.   Look for job titles, key words, skill sets and also note the types of companies offering the jobs you are interested in. LinkUp:   Want to see what jobs are posted on company websites?   Many employers no longer pay to post on the job boards, using this tool, youll be able to find some of these jobs and perhaps stumble upon some new target companies along the way! Vault, Glassdoor, WetFeet, Jigsaw, and LinkedIn (Thanks to Barbara Safani for her reminder of these great tools) Make sure all your materials reflect the best you have to offer.   Your LinkedIn profile is not just a regurgitation of your resume, though your jobs and accomplishments must be listed.   It should read more like a bio and reflect your overall true self (mixed with a bit of salesmanship)! While you are at it, add some flare to your email signature!   I use WiseStamp, but whatever you do, make sure you include your contact information in this valuable communication tool! In What? You Arent Using An Email Signature, I reference insights from others on how to best utilize this commonly overlooked marketing strategy. How Can You Network More If networking is defined as sharing and acquiring information with people, you shouldnt have any issue with doing this.   There is a lot of information youll want to uncover and many questions left unanswered from your initial research.   Leverage your existing relationships first.   Be prepared by asking good questions and always have something to share with them! Oh, and dont forget to say Thank You. Manage your time more effectively.   Structure Your Week shows what a mapped out week might look like! Hiring Is Taking Longer The other thing that I learned from job seekers is that the interviewing process is taking longer.   The days of one interview and youre hired are gone. Plan for the long haul and know that it will take longer than you want! Social Media Recruiting to Grow Further in 2011, @debrawheatman Another Year, Another Job Search Begins, @GayleHoward In 2011, Increase Your Prospects With Better Differentiation, @WalterAkana Your Career Action Plan for the New Year, @KatCareerGal Trends Job Seekers Should Look For in 2011, @erinkennedycprw Things Every Job Seeker Should be Thinking About in 2011, @expatcoachmegan Let your presence be known or send out a red flag, @MartinBuckland @EliteResumes How to find a job in 2011: Pay attention to emotional intelligence, @Keppie_Careers 2011 Employment Trends Supercharged with Twitter, @KCCareerCoach 3 Traits for Facing Weather, Employment and Chronic Illness, @WorkWithIllness Everything old is new again @DawnBugni Career Trend 2011: Accountability + Possibility = Sustainability, @ValueIntoWords Career Tools to Check Out in 2011, @barbarasafani What Was in 2010, What To Expect in 2011, @chandlee The Future of Job Search: 3 Predictions and 2 Wishes, @JobHuntOrg