THE JOB SEARCH
Georgia Department of Labor Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner
Looking for work is a full-time job and can be the hardest
work a person may ever do! It can also be very rewarding! A
serious job search requires as much time looking for work as
will be spent on the job. A 40 hour per week job equals a 40
hour per week job search.
Employers’ Expectations
Employers expect job applicants to communicate how they
can meet their business needs on job applications, résumés and
during interviews. Keep the basic needs of employers in mind:
l Employers need to make and save money.
l Employers need to grow their business.
l Employers need a problem free work environment.
l Employers need people who get along well with others.
Clear occupational goals and objectives are required for
an effective job search. Knowing the kind of work you are
looking for will keep your search in focus. No one is really
looking for “anything.” Every job seeker has requirements for
employment and limitations on their current qualifications.
Without clear job search goals, the search will become
aimless and ineffective.
Begin your job search by gathering and organizing all the
information you need to sell your qualifications that satisfy the
needs of a prospective employer.
Next, complete a thorough identification and analysis of
your skills. Employers not only want to know where you have
worked, your job title, and that you need a job, they want to
know what you can do. If you were looking to purchase a
product that would cost you thousands of dollars a year for
many years, you also would want to know what it could do.
There are some basic tools you should develop to help in
this effort. First, prepare a personal data sheet with all your
employment-related information. This will make employment
applications easier to complete. Second, write one or more
résumés that advertise your skills to an employer.
Now you are ready to begin seeking that new job. The job
market is constantly changing. During one period of time job
opportunities may be scarce, during another period they may
be plentiful. Regardless of job market conditions, there is al­
ways strong competition for the better jobs. Successful candi­
dates are those who use up-to-date job search techniques.
Experts agree that today the vast majority (80 percent or
more) of job openings are not adver tised. Most
employment opportunities are hidden. A primary reason is
simply that most employers do not need to advertise; they
have enough applicants without it. Another reason is that em­
ployers prefer to hire on a referral from someone they trust.
Employers have networks, too!
There are a variety of strategies that increase your chances
of finding job openings and breaking into the “hidden job mar­
ket.” These techniques include: networking, informational inter­
viewing, direct employer contact, employment services, internet
bulletin boards and résumé posting systems. Electronic résumé
systems allow job seekers to submit résumés and search for jobs
on the Internet. America’s Job Bank (www.AJB.org) is an example
of such a system. You can alsoaccess the AJB via the Department
of Labor homepage at:
www.dol.state.ga.us
Networking
Job search networking is a targeted effort to talk to people
about your job search. It should not be limited to casual con­
versations with people you meet. It should be a calculated
campaign to contact people for ideas, suggestions and infor­
mation. Networking is not new, it is simply the sharing of
information and contacts with others. Everyone carries with
them a wealth of information and insight. When we share in­
formation, we tap into this wealth of knowledge and open the
doors of opportunity. This exchange is often informal and not
planned. However, networking, as a job search strategy, is
more formal, calculated, and focused.
continued
DOL-4422 (R-06/04)
Informational Interviewing
The informational interview is a networking effor t
targeted toward potential employers and professionals within
a specific industry. This technique is used to gather
information regarding skills, training and experience needed
for an occupation. It is also a way to learn about a
specific company or about an industry. It is inappropriate to
ask for a job during an informational interview.
Direct Employer Contact
Direct contact is essential for the serious job seeker. But
direct contact takes planning and preparation. It is not enough
to just walk in and ask: “Are you hiring?” A successful job
search is a sales campaign and your challenge is to sell your
qualifications. Make a good first impression.
The first step is to list potential employers. As your job search
progresses, you will continually add to the list. The local public
library is a priceless resource in this effort. The library is an excel­
lent place to identify potential employers and prepare your job
search strategy. Specific publications to review include the phone
book, Chamber of Commerce listings, employer
profiles, industry guides and newspapers. Additional sources
for information include your local Department of Labor Career
Centers, schools, and community agencies.
Once you have your list, plan a strategy to approach each
employer. There are many approaches available and you
will want to choose them depending upon the circumstances
and your preferences. You can fill out an application, send
a résumé, call the employer direc tly, or ask for an
informational interview.
Persistence and follow-up are the keys to a successful
job search. If you are serious about employment, plan
your follow-up. There is no such thing as a wasted effort
and the only dead lead is the one you choose to ignore.
Situations change and the employer who is not hiring
today may be looking for someone with your qualifications
in the future.
Visit our website at www.dol.state.ga.us
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program l Auxiliary Aids & Services Are Available Upon Request To Individuals With Disabilities
Private Placement Agencies
Employment agencies come in all shapes, sizes and prices.
Some specialize in very specific occupational areas. Many
employers have exclusive arrangements with employment agen­
cies and they can be an excellent source of job leads. If you
are interested in the services of an agency, investigate them
carefully. Determine what they will do for you and how much
it will cost. Ask!
Temporary agencies are another source of employment.
Increasingly, employers are turning to them for help in
managing their workforce needs. Many people have worked
their way into excellent employment by first working as a tem­
porary. Once you prove yourself as a temporary employee,
the employer may be eager to hire you as a permanent
employee. Even if this does not happen, temporary jobs are
an excellent way to build skills, gain experience, help to
reduce your expenses while looking for a job. If you choose to
use a temporary agency, check them out very carefully and be
sure you understand all the conditions of the contract.
Job Search Technologies
Our society is in the midst of a technological revolution
that is having a tremendous effect on the workplace. With the
use of computers and the internet, a person can reach a
vast world of opportunity. Many job seekers use electronic
media to identify potential employers and submit their
résumés and cover letter.
Employers and employment agencies use scanners
to input résumés and applications into a computer data­
base for future consideration. These scanning systems use
softwate to sort and scree résumés. For more information
on developing a scannable résumé, visit any GDOL Career
Center Resource Center or our web site.