Twenty job searching thoughts

Now that I've successfully completed my first job search in over ten years, wanted to list out what things I learned through the process…

General:
1. It really is easier to look for a job when you've got a job.
2. There’s something to the idea of you’re more desirable when someone else wants you.

Preparing to search:
3. Resume should be two pages, and include accomplishment stories & top of resume summary built around them.
4. Have a presentation statement of who you are and what you've done rehearsed and ready.
5. Have rehearsed and ready the answer to what type of job you’re after and why you’re looking.

6. Be willing to get help from a career coach, especially on your resume and presentation statement.
7. People that hire career coaches typically do so after they’re frustrated, maybe don’t wait.

Active searching:
8. Connections are what’s going to get you looked at for a job.
9. Connections are good both in talking to people about what might exist and job postings you find.
10. Several places to do keyword job searches include: LinkedIn, Indeed and VentureLoop.

11. Should focus on meetings with people every week (3–5 a good goal)… in-person best, but phone ok. In these meetings you tell the accomplishment stories from the resume, and focus on having interesting stories.
12. People want to help, sometimes there’s not a lot they can do.
13. Be sure to thank people for their help, offer to help them any way you can, and then let them know once you’re successful and start somewhere.

Expectations:
14. Should expect at least three months of dedicated looking after resume, presentation statement, desired type of job, and search strategy all dialed in.

15. If not qualified per the description for a job, you shouldn't feel bad about not being in the mix for it.
16. Timing is everything, and there’s any number of reasons why a particular job might not work out. Also, be patient as your level of urgency not the same as other people’s.

17. Recruiters and hiring managers often don’t want to say why you’re not chosen, that’s ok.
18. If people say you’re not a fit, they’re probably right, and it’s not necessarily because of you.

19. Focus on continuous action & activities that you know are the correct path. That said, you can only put so much time each day into looking and should also do things other than looking that help you feel good about yourself.
20. All the work you put in counts eventually.