Research shows that successful people think about their careers and take specific actions routinely. Here is what they do, do you?

  • Strengths are identified, used, and developed.
  • Networking is a continuing process.
  • Job decisions are based on research, thought, and preparation.
  • Career plans are regularly reviewed and revised.

Five Steps to Successfully Starting Your Search

STEP 1: WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Step 1. Create a list of 8-12 things which you get from your work (besides pay and benefits) which are important to you.
Examples: learn new technology, respect of peers, foreign travel

Then consider:
What does this list tell you about the type of jobs or organization culture you need to succeed?

STEP 2: IDENTIFYING YOUR SUCCESSES

Think about your past work successes. Identify at least 7-8 times you felt great about an achievement and make notes detailing each. What was the environment, the challenge you faced, what did you do, and what were the results?

Look for patterns in your successes.

  • What skills, knowledge, attitude did you use?
  • What situations offered the best opportunities to succeed?
  • What can those successes tell you about your strengths?

STEP 3: WHAT IS YOUR SELF-IMAGE

Think about how you see yourself and how that impacts your success.

  • When you meet someone new at work, what are you most likely to tell them about yourself?
  • What do you find exciting about your work? Your current/last job? Your life?
  • What five or six activities do you really love to DO in your work?
  • What would you hope other people would say to describe you to someone?
  • Who relies on you for information? Advice? Assistance? Support? Mentoring?

Use this information in planning your job search targets, building your network, identifying the value you offer an employer.

STEP 4: ANALYZE WHAT VALUE YOU OFFER EMPLOYERS

Complete a SWOT analysis on yourself. SWOT stands for: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

Opportunities and threats include both your personal issues and external forces.

  • Example – Threats: Now jobs in your field specifically require degrees or certifications you do not have.
  • Example – Opportunities: Game design skills are now needed for military and commercial uses, so a whole new area of employment is open to you.

Remember to include the specific skills required by your chosen career field and the key ‘soft skills’ most organizations seek. Soft skills include: effective communications, teamwork, customer focus, flexibility, and similar skills which transfer across many roles and organizations.  Look at yourself through the lens of an employer you are targeting and through the requirements of positions you seek.

STEP 5. YOU AS A PRODUCT:  WHAT ARE YOU ARE SELLING

Test your own self -assessments. Use others whose advice you value to help you check your self-assessments. Learn whether the market values what you are offering. Ask past mentors and bosses as well as others in your field you respect.

You want to learn what they see about:

  • Best strengths and skills you offer
  • How you present yourself overall
  • What opportunities exist now which you could exploit

Summarize your results

  • What do you enjoy doing, do well, and want to do next?
  • What environment do you need to be successful?
  • What jobs offer the opportunity to meet your needs?
  • What organizations offer the environment you need?
  • Who hires people for these positions?

Create your action plan

  • Define specific goals: Identify your targets and opportunities.
  • Define actions needed to achieve goals: How will you research organizations, use and build your networks, get inside your targets?
  • Take continuing steps toward goals: Job search is often difficult, keep working your plan consistently until you have started a new job.
  • Celebrate Achievements: Don’t wait for the right job offer, celebrate goals achieved along the way.

Follow these five steps for job search success now. Then keep your network strong and your career planning going for future success.