Dear Liz: Job-Search Essentials?

Dear Liz,

I don't even want to tell you how long it's been since I've job-
hunted. My husband and I are winding down the business we've run
together for [ahem] years and I need to get my job-search engine
going. What do I need, to get started?

Thanks,

Meg

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Dear Meg,

Exciting news! Don't be intimidated - lots of our members haven't hit
the job search trail in a while. Here are the first four job-search
Must-Haves I'd encourage you to think about:

1) A direction.
Your job search needs a direction - what sorts of jobs will you be
looking for, where, and in what sorts of companies? The hardest job
search is the one that doesn't have a focus - the more specific you
can be, the better.

2) The tools.
You'll need a resume, a great 'second paragraph' for your cover
letter (that's the paragraph that talks about you and why you're
qualified and eager to work in position X at company Y) and a
LinkedIn profile. You'll also need a straight-up Your Name-type email
address and a phone number that has a friendly, business-ready answer
on its voicemail.

3) A plan.
You'll want to think about where you're going to look for jobs
(aggregation sites like Indeed.com and SimplyHired.com, plus local
job sites, industry- or function-specific sites, associations, etc.)
and which companies you're going to reach out to directly - whether
they've posted jobs or not - along with a plan for your online and
face-to-face job-search networking.

4) A story.
The last thing you need is your career story - the one that trips off
your tongue to share the story of who you are, where you've been
career-wise and where you're headed. Practice it, refine it, try it
out on your friends, and make sure to address any gaps or hiccups
until the story is smooth and confident and breezy.

We can help with all of these job-search elements. Let us know what
sort of advice or moral support you need! Best of luck -- yours,

Liz
www.asklizryan.com