The New Job Search The New Job Search for the New for the New Economy 1Economy 1

Duncan G. Burgess Director WorkSource

South Seattle Community College

Online DiscussionOnline Discussion

What are the biggest mistakes you see job seekers making?

What are your biggest challenges in making job seekers effective?

5 Biggest Mistakes Job 5 Biggest Mistakes Job Seekers MakeSeekers Make

1. Focusing on Advertised Positions

2. Too Much Emphasis on Jobs

1. PT, Contract, Temp without conditions

3. Ignorance About Marketing

4. Too Much Focus on Resumes

5. Living in the Past

6. Clear Understanding of the Current Market Value of their current skill set.

Employers in the New Employers in the New Economy Economy

• Employers are not anxious to hire

• Employers have choices

• Employers want the “Whole Package”– Stability– Skills for the 21st Century

The Four Active Ingredients for The Four Active Ingredients for Job Seekers in the New Job Seekers in the New

EconomyEconomy

• A job search strategy-plan

• Emotional stability and a financial plan

• Focus – Clearly defined position/work objective

• Relationship development with hiring managers

Job Plan Job Plan

• Current economic conditions require a different approach/strategy in this job market.

• New strategy: A Job Plan

• A plan keeps me from: – Getting off track– Feeling overwhelmed– Makes the job search manageable

1.1. Clear My EmotionsClear My Emotions• The loss of a job or not having a job can significantly

off center a person.

• One cannot create their future while grieving their past!

• Tell clients to honor their grieving process

– Emotionally process out the loss of the job

– Clear myself of past baggage if any about my last job

• Job Seekers do not move forward until they are complete with their past.

2. Create My Financial Plan2. Create My Financial Plan• Create a short term financial plan for transition period

– Current burn rate – Current revenues– Available assets

• Develop financial strategies that support my employment plan– Unemployment – Survival job

• Revisit – Revise monthly as my job plan evolves.

3. Target Your Job Goal - 3. Target Your Job Goal - FocusFocus

• Target the 1 job you really want; not the 6 jobs you think you might want.

• You are seeking the Perfect Storm; work you enjoy, in high demand, and provides sustainable resources.

• High Quality Free Resources are available– Career Counselors; a hidden resource– Government Internet based resources– Consult your local Library & Library website

• Do not move forward until “Target Job” is identified.

4. A – The 3 Questions 4. A – The 3 Questions Employers are asking in the Employers are asking in the

Hiring ProcessHiring Process

1. Can you do the job? • Qualifications / skill sets determined from

resume screen

2. Will you do the job? • Patterns of success resume screen

3. Will you get along?

4.B.1 Strategy 1 for Success in 4.B.1 Strategy 1 for Success in Job Search & Job PerformanceJob Search & Job Performance

Strategy One - Level One

Don’t come to myself or my boss with problems, come with . . . ?

4.B.2 Strategy 2 for Success in 4.B.2 Strategy 2 for Success in Job Search and Job Job Search and Job

PerformancePerformance

If the same problem keeps occurring,

What are you looking for . . . ?

4.B.3 Strategy 3 for Success in 4.B.3 Strategy 3 for Success in Job Search & Job PerformanceJob Search & Job Performance

Strategy Three- Level Three

What value do I add?

Thank You & Contact Thank You & Contact InformationInformation

Duncan Burgess

WorkSource South Seattle

206-934-6882

Duncan.Burgess@seattlecolleges.edu