CREATING YOUR JOB SEARCH PLAN
By Carol Stanton, CGS Career Counselor

If you were planning a trip to San Francisco, would you jump in your car and head west, or would you chart your course on a map first?  Much like a road map for your travels, having a plan for your job search will help you with direction and success in finding the right job. If you never had to look for work before, you may not be familiar with all the techniques. Whether you are a soon-to-graduate senior, or planning a job transition, the following checklist can help you create your job search plan.

You do not have to do everything on this list or do them in this particular order. Rather, use this list to make up your own personal job search plan. Be sure to assign a realistic date for each step to be accomplished, instead of leaving it open ended.

_____Look at your schedule and block off the time you will spend on your job search. If you are not currently working, make up a structured schedule for yourself so you don't waste a lot of time.  Date completed:__________.

_____Make a list of jobs that interest you. Identify employers to contact. If you have not yet done a self-assessment or explored possible careers, you may want to contact your CGS career counselor to set up an appointment to do this.  Date completed:__________.

_____Revise your resume to make the most of your strengths and skills.  Emphasize the jobs and skills that relate most to the jobs you will be applying for. Include a job objective if you have a specific job in mind. Have your CGS career counselor or another professional review and proofread your resume before you have it printed on good quality paper.  Date completed:__________.

_____Start a notebook or computer file where you store all your ideas, contact information, phone numbers, follow through plans, etc.  Date completed:__________

_____Register with PantherTRACS, the University of Pittsburgh Career Services' electronic job search site at www.careers.pitt.edu . Upload your resume and publish it to a resume book. Search for jobs and employers.  Date completed:__________.

_____Review information about job interviewing and informational interviewing skills. Useful information is available at the various career libraries, internet sites, and your CGS Career Services office.  Date completed:__________. 

_____Schedule a mock interview with a career advisor or role play an interview with a friend if you want to improve your interviewing skills.  Date completed:__________.

_____Network! Network! Network!  Make a list of people to contact.  This could include employers, friends, family, professional organizations, anyone who might have a good lead on a job for you. Set a realistic goal to make a certain number of calls each week.
# phone calls per week:_____.  Date completed each week:_________.

_____ Informational Interviews.  If you need more information about various jobs, use your network of contacts to set up informational interviews with people who work in these fields. Ask them questions about their work and daily activities.   # of informational interviews to schedule: ________.  Date completed:__________.

_____Check ____(#) internet sites which have job listings for Pittsburgh or other areas, if you are willing to move. (See list of internet sites.)  Upload your resume when possible.  Date completed:__________.

_____Look for information about local job fairs, professional meetings or networking events (ie. www.papen.us ) where you can build your list of contacts. 
Date completed:__________.

_____Check the Pittsburgh Post Gazette Sunday Want Ads and send a resume and cover letter  to positions that interest you.  Date completed:____________.

_____Contact local job offices such as PA Career Link (www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us ).  Date completed:__________.

_____Research companies or organizations that interest you. See www.WetFeet.com or www.vaultreports.com . Locate the name of a key employee and send your resume with a cover letter introducing yourself. Follow up with a phone call to make an appointment.
# of companies:_____.  Date completed:__________.

_____Plan your interviewing wardrobe. If you do not already have a classic suit, find one that you can afford and that you feel comfortable in. Be sure to look neat and professional for interviews.  Date completed:__________.

_____Create a cover letter and thank you letter that you can modify for various jobs. Always send a cover letter with a resume. Always send a thank you letter after an interview.  Date cover letter completed:__________.  Date thank you letter completed:__________.

_____Plan some relaxing and uplifting activities to keep your spirits up and not burn out too quickly. Write these into your schedule.  Date completed:__________.

 _____Line up a supportive group of friends/family that you can talk to, especially when you're having a hard day. Join a job search support group if possible.  Write the names and phone numbers in your job notebook.  Date completed:__________.

     Job hunting can be quite demanding and may take months, so be patient. Use as many possible resources as you can. Vary your approach if something doesn't seem to work. Be sure to follow through with all leads. Having an organized job search plan will add to your self-confidence and give you better results.