Job Search Secrets: Make An Organizer

None of us ever feel that we are going to be out of work for
very long. We jump into looking for work in as many
directions as we can think of, confident that we will find a
suitable position quickly, and move on with our lives.

A few weeks pass and we see that we have been pursuing leads willy-nilly and often can't quite remember where we applied and the details of each position.

Creating a central organizer for our activities can help
assure that we have a clear understanding of where we've
been and what we've done, and provides a private resource
chart for on-going contacts and re-contacts.

Start with a thick, 2 or 3 inch, 3 ring binder available at
any drugstore. Get a stack of pre-punched paper and several
thick paper pockets to put in each section. Here are some
suggestions on how to set it up - if something a little
different works for you, make whatever changes you'd like.

1. The first section will contain your resume, your personal
snapshot cheat sheet (personal qualities demanded by
employers which you possess, the general and specific job
skills in your repertoire) and your weekly job search
schedule. If you have more than one resume, number each one
so you can keep track of which version you use with each
potential employer.

2. This part consists of job leads from classifieds,
postings, website job applications completed, job fair
brochures and related information. Hole-punch complete page
size documents. For small ads, tape the cut out slips onto a
blank sheet and leave plenty of room around each ad to make
notes - when you applied, how you applied, and when follow
up is needed. If you obtain business cards from in-person
applications or job fairs (where you should be able to
collect a lot of them), slip them into the pocket pages and
write any pertinent information on the back of each card -
where you obtained it, any special details about the person,
if follow up might be worthwhile and when.

3. This section is for resumes submitted. File a copy of all
cover letters submitted and, if applicable, note the number
of the resume you attached. Make notes of any responses
received or follow up telephone numbers. You may also
include here the names and details of any agencies where you
registered or head hunters you may have called.

4. This is a record of all interviews completed. Include
notes of where and when and any pertinent details regarding
how well it went, company characteristics and when follow up
would be appropriate. Keep the business cards of
interviewers in your pocket page with notes on the back
specific to that interviewer (very important if you are
called back for a second meeting).

5. 6. 7. and 8. Networking -- the core of your job search.
We need four sections for our sizzling contacts (direct
connections with family members, friends, acquaintances, and
business associates), warm contacts (personal referrals made
by our sizzling list), tepid contacts (referrals through
others but one or two steps removed from people we
personally know) and cold contacts (employers we have
contacted from out the blue to see if any unadvertised
openings exist). Use these sections to record who you
contact and when, the responses received, and telephone
numbers for follow up.

9. Keep a separate section for lessons learned. Whenever you
identify a technique that worked well for you, make note of
the details. When you debrief yourself after an interview,
make notations regarding what went well and any weaknesses
or problem areas you need to work on. If you believe that
you made mistakes, write out the details and figure out how
to avoid repeating them.

10. Jobs that didn't fit. You may tend to think of this as
your "rejections" pile but always remember that not getting
a job you want is not a personal rejection of you but merely
reflects the fact that someone else was a better fit. Keep
all "Thanks, but no thanks" letters here with any notes you
may have regarding the details. Store those ubiquitous
postcards noting that your resume was received and will be
considered, in your pocket page. File a copy of e-mails
received acknowledging receipt of online applications.

If you find such an organizer helpful, you can continue the
same technique when you start a new job and materials are
coming fast and furiously. Then use one for your on-going
networking to keep your contact list warm and secure by
continuing to acknowledge their help and to schedule an
occasional hello and update.

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