The MicroTrain Blog

Many have asked the question, "Why do I need a plan to search for a job" My answer is "Why Not?"

The purpose of a Job Search Plan is to develop key goals and a strategy to achieve them.  Developing long term and short term goals and steps to achieve them will keep you focused and on track.  It's like developing a Business Plan!  You are the product so you need to know what marketing materials you will use, who you would like to market your product to, and what specific steps you will take to sell your product. Initially, let's look at a key component of your Job Search Plan:

Develop Marketing Tools

This includes your Resume, Cover Letter, Handbills, and Social Media outlets.  Your cover letter and resume are usually the first connection you make with an employer.  Therefore they MUST send a message.  Your marketing tools should send the message that, "I'm the one you should meet with face to face for an interview" or "I have an excellent background, SO CALL ME, so you can gain more insight into what I have to offer your organization." Handbills are small business card type networking flyers you leave with someone after briefly meeting them at an event, networking opportunity, etc. This offers you the opportunity to remind them of who you are and your conversation. Your web-based marketing would include Social Media Networking tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook and even Twitter. Many recruiters are searching for their "Next Top Candidate" by using LinkedIn as their primary source. Spend a generous amount of time developing your Top Notch Marketing Tools, so employers will like what they see, before they even see it!

Job Search Plans work!

"To be prepared is half the victory." - Miguel de Cervantes

Are hearing and listening the same?

Hearing is physiological while actively listening takes much more work and discipline.

Listening facts- According to a University of Minnesota study

• 60 percent of business misunderstandings are due to ineffective listening
• 80 percent of all business communication must be repeated
• Less than 20 percent of what top management says is understood three levels below
• 80 percent of your day is spent communicating
• 25 percent of people are efficient at listening and understanding

Active listening involves restating or “mirroring” of the sender’s message or feelings to the satisfaction of the sender

–Without advice –Without analysis –Without problem solving

I will give this a try tonight when I ask my wonderful wife about her day.

Best,

Stan Van Ncie