Think you are running a good job campaign? Maybe. Let's see how you stack up. Look at the list below and check the things that you are doing.
Job Leads Which of the following sources of job leads have you used? Career guidance/placement centers Ads in professional magazines Ads in local newspapers Directories of employers in your area Job search networking groups News stories of employer activities Government job information centers State employment service Talks with fellow job seekers Bulletin board job postings Professional associations/women's centers for which you may be eligible Asked people who turned you down for leads
Job Search Tools Did you do the following . . . Attend a seminar on resume writing Have your initial draft resume critiqued by at least two people Revise your resume since you began your campaign Slant resume content to the job in question Attend seminar on letters of application Revise each letter to fit job in question Take part in interview training (mock interviews) Talk to your prime job counselor at least once in past week
Contacts With whom have you discussed your job plans or asked for help . . . Family Friends and neighbors Past employers (summer jobs, etc.) Teachers School/agency career counselors Fellow job seekers People you worked with on past jobs
Job Search Which of the following job search techniques have you used? Registered with school/agency career center Participated in campus interviews Attended job fairs Wrote employers of special interest Registered with state employment service Telephone job search Unsolicited walk-ins on employers Took civil service examinations Responded to want ads
Support Which of the following have you done? Found an older person (mentor) to advise you Used information interviews to learn more about your field or obtain job leads Asked all those you use as references for permission Sent a copy of your latest resume to all those you use as references
Interviews Do you . . . Spend at least two hours learning about an employer before the interview Make your career goals clear Point out why your talents and background are related to the vacancy Have several good questions to ask Clarify what happens next and when Record notes on the interview while fresh in your mind Always write a thank you letter after each interview
Effort Do you . . . Spend at least 40 hours on job search activities (if a full-time job seeker) Make at least ten new contacts a week Keep on making new contacts, even after completing a hopeful interview
Now go back and count up how many you checked. Give yourself two points for each one and add up your score. If you did everything, you'd end up with 100 points. But few are going to score over 90. If you got 80 or higher, you are doing well. If you are between 60 and 79, your campaign is OK. Lower than that, try to use more of the techniques indicated.