The document provides tips for enhancing your job search when you are out of work. It recommends maintaining a positive attitude and treating your job search like a full-time job. Networking is key, as most jobs are found through connections, so you should leverage your personal and professional networks. You should also directly contact companies of interest and utilize job boards to get your resume in front of potential employers. With persistence and the right approach, the right job opportunity will come.

1. Professional and Human Capital Services for Insurance, Healthcare and Financial Services
Out of Work?
Now What?
Effective Tips
to Enhance
Your Job Search

2. Out of Work? Now What?
Effective Tips to Enhance Your Job Search
Unparalleled Expertise and InsightConsultant, The Jacobson Group
By Jonathan “Jay” D’Aprile, Executive Search into the Industry’s Executive Marketplace Since 1971
Is your job search off to a slow
start - or worse, not even
moving? As an executive search
consultant, my role is to be in
constant job search mode.
Leveraging a decade of experience in the executive search
industry, I have learned that there are several things people
can do to shorten the amount of time between leaving a
position and landing a new one. Here are a few quick tips
that can help you jump-start your job search, even in the
difficult economy.
making you happy. If not, now is the time to find a career
Attitude is everything. you will enjoy.
Keep a positive attitude. Your job does not define who you Job searching is your new job.
are, and your world is not coming to an end just because you
are not with your former employer. Put your situation in You already have a new job. You are now working from
proper perspective: you now have the opportunity to refocus nine-to-five selling yourself. It’s critical that you launch your
your career. Make the most of this unexpected change by job search with enthusiasm, dedication and optimism. In
using it as an opportunity to revaluate your work and to fact, your mindset and work ethic might be the deciding
decide if the career path you chose several years ago is still factors in whether you will quickly land a new job or be
Top Five Networking Tips
1. Always have your business cards with you: you never know when you might need them.
2. Create a 30-second introduction that describes who you are and what you do. Consider tailoring an
introduction for each situation you may encounter.
3. Have a few never-fail conversation starters prepared (ice breakers).
4. Watch your body language. Don’t cross your arms or fidget.
5. Follow-up is the key to networking. It builds credibility and keeps your name in your contacts’ minds.
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3. benched for six months. Take your new role seriously. Set up your professional message with clarity and precision. An
a home office that is out of the way of distractions and elevator speech is a brief, carefully-planned and well-
advise your family not to disturb you when you are working. practiced description of yourself, your skill set and your
experience that can be relayed in the amount of time it takes
Your network is your net worth. to ride in an elevator. Even in this
The majority of job openings are not “Remain persistent and economy, finding top talent is still one of
the most challenging tasks a company
advertised, they are actually filled remember that no matter
faces. Your call may be the solution to
through word-of-mouth networking.
This hidden job market is practically how many employers are their needs; and if you reach out to a
number of companies, you increase your
invisible to those without connections.
unresponsive to your chances of getting on several hiring
While your professional network should
always be a vital part of your career resume, the right role is managers’ radar screens.
management process, now is the time Use the internet.
when it is most crucial. Take care to out there.”
both nurture your current network and I firmly believe that job boards should be
to reach out to new connections. Attend local networking included in your job search tool bag. Alone, job boards may
events and industry association meetings. Spread the word not provide much value to your search; but if you use job
that you are job searching to both your personal and boards in addition to other strategies, they can be very
professional networks. Your contacts may know someone effective. Job boards allow you to search for open positions,
who is hiring, have insight on a particular company, or even as well as post your resume for potential employers to view.
just serve as a support mechanism. Once you reach out to Having an updated, well-written resume is critical to getting
those in your network, follow up and keep them informed of noticed on these sites. Highlight key words and describe
the status of your search. Make sure to express your gratitude successful projects you led emphasizing numbers and
and offer to help them or their contacts in the future. percentages. Be clear and don’t waste resume space with
vague descriptions such as “launched several new products.”
Maximize your network by creating an actual database of Instead, give specific product names or awards received.
contacts. Place them in a rolodex or electronic contact Hiring managers will only take a few seconds to review an
management system. Additionally, utilize social networking online resume – be sure the information you provide is
platforms such as LinkedIn. These social networking sites relevant and attention-grabbing.
can connect you with those in your network you might have
lost touch with, create new contacts within your industry, and Resiliency is key.
enable you to be found by potential employers. Likewise, if
your network does not currently include recruiters and search Losing your job is not fun, but it is not the end of the world.
firms, now is the time to add them. Even if they are not Remain persistent and remember that no matter how many
currently staffing for positions applicable to you, having your employers are unresponsive to your resume, the right role is
information in a recruiter’s database will ensure you are out there. Combine these tips with your personal goals and
notified when a potential opportunity arises. objectives and you will be well on your way to a successful
job search.
Go straight to the source.
About the Author: Jonathan “Jay” D’Aprile is an Executive Search
Sometimes, the quickest way to land a job may be to call the Consultant for the retained search division of The Jacobson Group, Jacobson
company directly. If executed properly, a hiring manager will Executive Search. D’Aprile provides talent acquisition consulting services to
put you in the front of the line for an open position. insurance, healthcare and financial services organizations for their Vice President, C-
Research the companies you admire and select 10 to 15 level and Board Member assignments. D’Aprile is based out of the firm’s National
where you think you would like to work. Next, create an Headquarters in Chicago and can be reached at jdaprile@jacobsononline.com or
“elevator speech” that will cut through the clutter and deliver (800) 466-1578.
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4. About The Jacobson Group
Since 1971, The Jacobson Group has provided insurance, healthcare and financial service organizations
with the professional and human capital solutions necessary to achieve results. Our extensive portfolio of
talent solutions includes executive search, professional recruiting, interim staffing, consulting and
outsourcing. Headquartered in Chicago, The Jacobson Group maintains offices nationwide.
For more information, please contact:
The Jacobson Group
800.466.1578
info@jacobsononline.com
www.jacobsononline.com
Copyright 2009. The Jacobson Group. All rights reserved.