• There are parts of recruiting that you will like better than others but unless you follow all the steps you are likely to fail in finding the best person for the opening and obtaining their commitment.
• For job seekers some like networking but dislike the researching, others enjoy interviewing but don’t like the follow-up. To be the candidate of choice you need to follow every step each and every time. Job search is a process.

• When recruiting, to not get discouraged, we remember that the more “no’s” we get the closer we are to a yes. Rejection in recruiting is an everyday experience and we know it’s not personal…
• Job seekers are not used to rejection and it’s easy to get discouraged. Although it sounds a little silly, each time you get a no, it’s ok because you are that much closer to a yes. It’s the law of probabilities…

• As recruiters we know not to make assumptions! In recruiting, that means we call each and every name on a list we have developed. We call the names we can’t pronounce, or the person who may not have the required degree. Because we never know if that one person we were wavering about may be the one – or may refer us to the best candidates.
• As a job seeker if you see opportunities you want go for it. Don’t assume the hiring manager wants, more experience, a different major, or requires a skill you don’t have. That doesn’t mean ignoring the job description but don’t add your own assumptions.

• In recruiting many of the tasks are repetitive. You research and find people, you phone screen, you interview, you present to the client and then you do it all over again. But each time you get a little better at each task, you’re more efficient and more effective. And you learn to enjoy moments. Moments when you meet a really interesting person, or find a creative way to source candidates.
• Job searching is repetitive actions. There is no way around it. But you design cover letters that are templates, you build a portfolio to share with potential employers, you bookmark your favorite career sites. And you learn to enjoy moments…

Great recruiters are invaluable and are compensated accordingly. Become a great job seeker and you will be rewarded.

1. Only seek advice from people whose opinion you value and who has expertise related to your job search. This could be industry or function expertise, or a strong knowledge of the job search process.

2. Thank those that provide unsolicited advice but don’t incorporate their suggestions unless you have gotten a second opinion and feel confident the information is correct.

3. Recognize that the human relations area and job search specifically is part art and part science (mostly art). In some situations there is no right or wrong way to do or say something – it has to be aligned with your beliefs and skills.

4. Don’t feel you have to defend what actions you have or have not taken to-date. The way you handle your job search is unique to your personality, and your time table.

On the flip side, there are valuable resources that can benefit you in your job search. Don’t try to do it alone. Take the time to review each step in the process and optimize all the tools at your disposal. Try not to devote too much time to web resources. You can trick yourself into believing you are spending a lot of time on your job search but never get to implementing the actions that will benefit you the most.

Students were concentrating on their studies and end of the year exams and events. Some were reacting to the constant bad news regarding the lack of entry level jobs. They wanted to wait out the recession. You’ve been in school just about your entire life and yes, you will be working far into the future. But a good start allows you more career options. There will still be time for long vacations, sabbaticals, time off between jobs and other time off opportunities.

Since it is May, and graduation season is now upon us remember;

• Even if you start your job search now, it takes time to get hired. The interview process may consist of two or three in-person or phone interviews. Because of scheduling issues (including summer vacations) these interviews may be spread over a week or two.

• Part of the offer/acceptance discussion is setting a starting date. You can probably get up to four weeks off before starting the position, if that is important to you.

• There are a significant percentage of new grads “taking the summer” off. This means less competition for you now!

• Getting a stream of income sooner rather than later allows you to start paying off student loans and saving to move out on your own. For each month you are unemployed you are loosing at approximately $2,500.

Remember the old saying “The early bird catches the worm?” I am not sure how they came to this definition but the phrase has been defined as “Success comes to those who prepare well and put in effort.” I would probably say “get out there first and beat your competition”. It really is important to start your job search sooner rather than later.

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