The Job Search: Part 1: Introduction

While at NAU I took a very special class called BizBlock. Without going into much detail, the class was focused on integrating different aspects of business: Marketing, Communication, and Management. A major part of the class was teaching you how to communicate effectively in a business setting as well as market yourself as an individual. Obviously, a lot of time was spent focusing on the major parts aspects of securing a job. In the future I may do a segment on finding a job, but these initial three posts will assume you have identified a job you want and now you need to make first contact.

Above is the basic process we’re going to look at. A lot of people are under the impression that a resume’s purpose is to get you a job. WRONG! It is meant to be something that catches their eye and gets you to the interview pile. From here you’ve already caught there eye, your role now is to make sure you’re the most memorable and competent person their interviewing. The interviewing is really where an organization is going to decide if they want to hire you. Once you’re in an interview your resume means very little. After you leave the interview, you’ve made your impression.

At this point, one of three things happen:

1. They’re Interested – You Get The Job
2. They’re Interested – You Get Another Interview
3. They’re Not Interested – You Don’t Get The Job

You want to make sure you’re in #1 or #2. You can maximize your chances by setting yourself apart with a Thank You Letter and following up. It is possible you’re not their first choice and they offer the job to someone else. They won’t tell you that you didn’t get the job until their top candidate has accepted. This is usually why it takes so long to hear back if you don’t get the job. If you happen to fall into the #3 category, no worries. Learn from your mistakes, pick yourself up, and try again.