High-level rules everyone searching for a job must follow, from my book "Land The Tech Job You Love". For more, visit my blog at http://theworkinggeek.com/ Presented at Milwaukee JobCamp, March 26, 2009.

1. 23 Rules For
Job Hunters
Jobcamp Milwaukee, March 26th, 2009

2. Job hunting is
hard work.

3. Think like the
hiring manager.

4. The hiring manager
wants to hire you.

5. Customize your
resume for every job
for which you apply.

6. Nobody cares about
your objective.

7. Replace your objective
with a summary.

8. Summarize yourself.
• Six years software development team
leader in C++ and Java.
• Two years Windows/Unix system
adminsitration for Fortune 500 companies.
• Extensive background with payroll control
systems.

9. Nobody will read your
entire resume
without a reason.

10. Why do you have
an objective
on your resume?

11. Don't do anything
without a reason.

12. Lose the clichés

13. Lose the clichés
• Professional
• Industrious; hard worker
• Good people person; Team player
• Motivated; self-starter; makes things happen
• Strong communication skills

14. Lose the clichés
• Dedicated; determined; reliable
• Customer focused
• Problem solver
• Can-do attitude
• quot;I do whatever it takes to get things done.quot;

15. Y! are a
unique & beautiful
snowflakquot;

16. ... but this is my desk.

17. Job boards
by the numbers

18. 11.2%
of hires come
from job boards.
http://www.careerxroads.com
/news/SourcesOfHire08.pdf

19. CareerBuilder's mission:
Our mission is to be the global leader in
online recruitment advertising by
being an employee-driven, customer-focused
organization that provides the best rate of
return to our stakeholders.

20. Translation:
They don't care if you
get a job or not.

21. 50-70% of hires
come from
recommendations and
networking.

22. I would rather hire
someone I know

23. I would rather hire
someone I know
or known by someone
I know.

24. There aren't
100 jobs
for you.

25. Don't waste your time
pursuing jobs
you don't want.

26. Research the
company hard.

27. Research the company
• Company website and PR department
• Local newspaper
• Business publications
• Chamber of Commerce
• Postings online by employees

28. Research = better
understanding of the
company's needs.

29. Write a cover letter.

30. The cover letter
• Tells that you are interested in the job.
• Gives you room to tell more stories than
the resume.
• Covers any connections you have with the
company.

31. Your interview is
your first day
at your new job.

32. Know the answer to
these questions.

33. Tell me about yourself
and
Why should we hire you?

34. Where do you want to
be in five years?

35. What's your greatest
weakness?

36. Tell me about a
problem you had with
another team member.

37. You will get these
questions, so prepare.

38. 15 ways to
kill an interview

39. 15 ways to
kill an interview
• Show up late
• Be unprepared
• Chew gum or smoke, or smell like smoke
• Shake hands like a fish
• Have bad breath or body odor

40. 15 ways to
kill an interview
• Come underdressed
• Speak ill of anyone, including especially
past employers
• Complain or discuss your problems
• Bring up your needs: Money, benefits
• Lie

41. 15 ways to
kill an interview
• Appear uninterested
• Appear overenthusiastic or desperate
• Fail to ask your own questions
• Leave your phone on
• Cut the interview short

42. Send a thank-you note.
It's just polite.

43. theworkinggeek.com