Strategies to Get You Hired
3- Step Search
 Search Yourself
Know your skills, your values, your interests and how all
these things have prepared you for the jobs you want.
 Research
You need to know where to find these jobs, how they
are advertised, and what the job requirements are.
 Job Search
Know how to market yourself, know what strategies
are most effective, and be proactive!
Search Yourself
 Catalog your skills from previous work experiences.
 List what abilities your major has helped you develop.
 Determine what transferable skills you may have from
volunteer or internship experience.
 Think about your interests.
Self Search Profile: Anita Job
 Skills: Medical Front Office Procedures, Heavy Customer
Service, High Volume Telephone Calls, Filing.
 Abilities: Knowledge of Medical Billing, ICD-9/CPT coding,
Managed Care Health System, Worker’s Compensation
Regulations, Medicare/Medicaid Regulations, Personal
Injury Claims.
 Transferable Skills: Experience making collection calls.
 Interests: Web Design.
Do Your Research
 Study your field of interest and the kinds of jobs available
in that field.
 Research job titles.
 Research where these jobs are found.
 Know which employers offer these kinds of jobs.
 Know the job requirements.
Resources
 Professional Associations
Visit Weddle’s at www.weddles.com/associations/index.cfm for
a comprehensive Association Directory.
 Informational Interviews
This is a great to get the inside scoop from people who are
actually working in the field you are interested in.
 ONET Online
Visit www.onetonline.org for career exploration and job
analysis.
How to Conduct an Information
Interview
 Call to request a 30 minute meeting.
 Prepare questions in advance.
 Ask for referrals to others with information about the
job or field you are interested in.
 Thank them and offer to keep them informed.
Marketing Yourself
Your Marketing Tool Kit
 Have a professional resume and cover letter that
highlights your strengths, abilities, and achievements.
 Practice your interviewing skills.
 Have professional interview attire.
 Keep a log of your contacts.
Job Sources
 Online Job Bank Databases
• Monster, Career Builder, USA Jobs.
 Company Websites
• Many companies are posting job openings and
accepting applications online.
 Professional Association Websites
 Classified Publications
 CalWORKs Job Placement Website
www.lahc.edu/studentservices/calworks/jobshome.html
 One Stop Career Centers
• Harbor WorkSource Center
• Career Transition Center
• Gardena One Stop
310-732-5700
562-570-3700
310-217-9579
The Hidden Job Market
 Networking or personal referral.
 Online professional networking groups such as
LinkedIn.
 Employers are looking for you on social media sites
such Facebook and Twitter.
 Targeted resume mailings.
 Internal Advancement:
• Temp to Perm
• Volunteer Work (visit www.volunteermatch.org)
• Internships (paid or unpaid)
Create An Online Profile
 Create a LinkedIn profile using information from your
resume.
 Post an appropriate and professional photo.
 Update your status weekly.
 Collect recommendations from faculty and coworkers.
 Learn about employers using LinkedIn’s “advanced
search” feature.
 Join LinkedIn groups in your areas of interest.
www.linkedin.com
Most Effective Strategies
 A large percentage of jobs are the result of a personal
referral.
• Inform everyone you know of your career goals.
• Seek information interviews.
• Attend professional association meetings and
conferences and register with a student membership.
 The easiest method may not be the most effective.
 Avoid using only one method at a time.
Plot Your Plan of Action
 Put your plan of action in writing.
 Create a weekly schedule of job search tasks.
 Carefully review job requirements. Don’t waste time
applying for jobs you are not qualified for.
 Keep up your momentum. One interview does not
equal a job offer!
Remember to Stay Focused &
Motivated
 Share your progress with others.
 Seek out a job hunting buddy. Someone you can share
advice, support and resources with.
 Reward yourself for your progress.
 Seek a counselor or mentor if you lose your way. Maybe
you need to re-evaluate your strategy.
 Learn something you need to improve on from each
disappointment.
Top 10 Tips
1. Have your marketing tool kit: resume, cover letter,
references, interview skills.
2. Develop a network.
3. Catalog skills you need to improve on.
4. Be prepared: always have a business card or
flashdrive with your resume at all times.
5. Watch your digital footprint.
Continued
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Think outside the box.
Remember that your first job does not have to
be your dream job.
Be proactive, not passive.
Expand the scope of work settings to consider.
For example instead of for-profit consider nonprofit.
Be persistent!
Good Luck!