THE STEPS IN A SUCCESSFUL JOB SEARCH

Looking for a position will involve all of the following, although some may not require any new effort:

1.  Knowing or determining your marketable skills, knowledge, network, etc. (the things that give you value to prospective employers).  If you do not already know this, you, or someone you hire, will need to review your education and experience in detail to identify this information.

2.  Knowing or determining what kind of position you want and what positions you will be competitive for. As for 1, above, if you do not already know this, you, or someone you hire, will need to determine this, based on your personality and preferences.  There are many, many tests and analytical tools used for identifying this information, each providing varying utility and insights.  Each service provider has his/her own sets of favorites.  The key is in how well the results are interpreted to suggest one or more practical career options that inspire you and that you can be marketed in.  Keep the last part of that sentence in mind.  Someone (you or someone else) will have to market you in the new career path.  There must be a viable path for you to get from where you are, to the suggested position, and you must want to go there.

3.  Knowing or determining what industries and/or companies might want or have need for the skill-set you can provide (identifying your target market) and determining how best to reach the decision-makers at target companies.  This is essentially a marketing plan for you.  This step should result in a list of target companies, including the contacts you will be attempting to reach, and a list of the tools you will need to reach them, such as a resume, cover letters, telephone scripts, or people in your network that can provide introductions.

4.  Contacting decision-making representatives at target companies and communicating your value (your skills, etc.) in a way that makes them want to meet you (i.e., the process of getting an interview).  This step, or the previous one, will involve the mechanics of creating the "tools" (resume, cover letters, etc.) and, of course, will involve their actual use.

5.  Personally meeting with company representatives and communicating your personality and value in a way that induces an offer of employment (i.e., the interview process).  You get to this step only if you have successfully pursued the previous ones.  Everything done previously was designed to get you here.  Nothing that was done and no help you received was valuable to you if you didn't get here.  Although you can prepare and get help preparing for interviews, when you are in the interview, it is up to you.

6.  Negotiating the deal.

7.  Integrating into the new environment.

If you already are clear about your skills, etc. and know what position you are looking for, items "1" and "2" above would already be accomplished.  If you are already familiar with your target industry(ies) and the companies in that/those market(s), part of item "3" may well be handled as well.  On the other hand,, if you are changing careers or seeking a position which is different from those you have held in the past, you may need to address all of items "1" through "3."