Can You Keep A SECRET? (Shhh......)

Today…drum roll…I’m going to share my SUPER DUPER TOP SECRET way of finding jobs.  I know it sounds obvious but in order to get a job you have to find a job.  And since you can’t exactly expect that you’ll get the first job you apply for, or interview for, you have to find lots of jobs to apply for. 

I’d like to say I’ve always been pretty lucky.  Rarely am I unemployed for long, even if it means I have to accept a temporary job or work as a short term project consultant.  But the truth is, luck has nothing to do with it.  Over the years I have developed a method that I use to find jobs, and lots of them!

Tip of The Day

Create and Use an “X List”

Step #1 – Make a list of keywords that describe your professional life.

So, first off.  What do you do?  (What is your job title?) What have you done, in the past? What do you want to do, at your next job?  Do you have a certification?

Brainstorm and write down at least ten words that describe your professional goals and experience.  You can find them on your resume, your Linked In profile (more on that later) or your professional affiliations and special skills list. 

Example:  My last job title was Purchasing Manager.  My keywords are purchasing, procurement, supply chain, buyer, sourcing, logistics, inventory, CPIM (my certification) Six Sigma (special training) materials, public speaking, training, event planning, and operations.

Step #2 – Make a list of at least six job listings websites. 

Here, let me help you.  Start with craigslist.com, monster.com, careerbuilder.com, and indeed.com.  (my favs!)  There.  You have four of them already.  One of your websites should be regionally based like the employment listings from your local online newspaper or your state’s unemployment website.  The last one should be either indicative of your profession or your special skills.

Step #3 – Create your X List

Using either a spreadsheet or a piece of paper, list your websites across the top of the page as column headers.  Then, list your keywords separately down the right hand side, one per row.  If you’re using paper, draw lines to separate the columns and the rows.  (also, if you’re using paper, make 5 or so copies before you proceed to Step #4.)

Step #4 – Use your X List

Every Monday morning, sit with a cup of coffee (or your morning beverage of choice) and literally type every key word on your list into every website / search engine you have and as you do so, write “X” where they intersect.  I know.  This seems tedious, but if I only typed in “Purchasing Manager” I would miss out on all of the job listings that used the other keywords on my list but were essentially the same job!

Step #5 – Document the jobs you find!

On a separate piece of paper or spreadsheet put the following headers across the top: Date, Website, Job Title, Contact Name, Contact Phone Number, Applied Via (email or internet?) and Notes.  As you use your X List and find jobs that you are qualified for, document them in this consistent format.

You won’t be able to fill in all of the information since often the phone number is not listed.  You will also fill out the Applied Via and Notes column when you actually do apply for the jobs…..on Tuesday!

If you’ve created your X List and use it every Monday you can then look forward to Tuesday morning when you can then start applying for all those jobs!!!

* * *

There are actually many uses for the jobs list.  Now you have your Monday TO DO list.  I’ll talk more about the many uses for your job list, and your TO DO lists for Tuesday through Friday on my upcoming blog posts. 

You can’t wait to read them. 

I know. 

Having structure to your job search, and your week (Is today Wednesday or Saturday?) will help the time go by and will also help you feel uber-productive. 

So exciting!?  :o)~