This document provides guidance on job searching during difficult economic times. It discusses assessing your skills and interests, developing job leads through networking and contacting employers, creating a job search plan including targeting organizations and tracking applications, and tips for the job search process such as maintaining a positive attitude and following up on prospects. Key points emphasized are knowing your strengths, being flexible, and selling your relevant experience to employers.

1. Job SearchingDuring Difficult TimesThe Career Center at Loyola University Maryland

2. The Job Search ProcessAssess yourselfIdentify:The type of position you desire

3. The industry your preferDevelop Job Leads & ContactsWays to develop contacts

4. Networking

5. Contacting EmployersDevelop a Job Search PlanTarget organizations

6. Set up a record keeping systemEvaluate job offersSalary negotiations2

7. “There is no magic bullet when it comes to successful job-hunting techniques, no single best approach.”--Knock ‘em DeadBy: Martin Yate3

8. Assess YourselfIn order to launch an effective job search you should have an idea of the type of job your are looking for.

9. Search by industry

10. i.e. banking, higher education

11. Search by job title/function

12. i.e. accountant or counselor

13. Search by job company

14. i.e. Bank of America or Johns Hopkins4

15. Assessing YourselfO*NetGREEN INDUSTRIES:http://online.onetcenter.org/find/greenBRIGHT CAREERS:http://online.onetcenter.org/help/bright/Career CenterResources for Exploring Industries:Career Search

16. Vault Online Career Library5

17. About the Economy & IndustriesWhere are the opportunities:Food/BeverageHealthcareDefenseOil/Gas/UtilitiesInsuranceConsultingGreatest Decrease in jobs:Real EstateAccountingIndustries Negatively Impacted:Auto IndustryPrint MediaInvestment BankingOther Industries Impacted:HospitalityInfo TechnologyManufacturingMediaRetailHerman Trend, 2/25/096MBA Job Outlook Improving (BusinessWeek)Maryland Career OutlookFastest Growing OccupationsUnemployment Rate

18. What Type of Company Do You Want to Work At?By Organization Type:PrivatePublicFor ProfitNon-profitNot for profitGovernmentRESOURCES:Book of Lists

19. Hounds4Hire (Employer Search)

20. VAULT On-line Library7

21. Assess YourselfAssess Your Personal Preferences:Geographical locationStarting/minimum salaryWorking conditionsSkills you want to useMost important factors in your career:Possibility for advancementTraining & DevelopmentFlexible schedules8

22. Develop Job Leads“Less than you might expect, 14.5 percent, come from the big three job boards (Monster, CareerBuilder, HotJobs).”Career CentersThe Career Center at LCMD

23. Undergraduate Alma Mater Career CenterProfessional Associations & SocietiesNewspaper Classified AdsTrade PublicationsProfessional Journals & PapersPublic LibraryChamber of CommerceJob AgenciesInternet SitesEmployer Websites“The majority of hires – 38%, according to one estimate – come directly through the company’s website.”9Knock ‘em Dead 2008By: Martin Yate

24. Online Job BoardsThe Big Three:

25. Monstor.com

26. CareerBuilder.com

27. Hotjobs.com

28. “You should spend limited time trolling around the big sites and pay more attention to the smaller, more directed ones.”

29. CareerXRoads produced a study (2003) showing hiring rates from these sites were quite low:

30. Of the companies interviewed only 3.6% made a hire through Monstor.com

31. Only 1.5% made a hire through CareerBuilder.com

32. A miniscule 0.5% hired anyone through HotJobs.com10