1. Planning & Conducting a
Comprehensive
Job Search
Jena Mahne, MS
Career Counselor
Barnard Career Development

2. Job Search Steps
• Self/Career Exploration
• Discover who you are what you want to do
• Job Search Preparation
• Identify organizations/companies and location
• Launch a Comprehensive Job Search
• Open & Closed markets
• Track Your Progress
• Stay organized
• Good reminder
• Keep Perspective, Make it Manageable
• Maintain positive outlook/attitude
• Limit search to PT

3. Self/Career Exploration
• Self-assessment (Reflective)
• What do I like/dislike?
• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• What do I value most in a work situation?
• Assessment Tools
• MBTI/Strong Interest Inventory
• Job/Career Research
• What Can I Do With A Major In…
• O*NET/Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Informational Interviewing/Job Shadow
• Internship

4. Consider Both the
Open and Closed Markets
The Open Market
• includes jobs that are
advertised and visible to
the public that anyone
can apply too
• only 25% of job
openings are
posted/advertised
online…
•…why?
The Closed Market
• includes jobs that are
never posted, or are not
yet posted
• only found through
networking…
• …who can I network
with?
Each requires its own set of strategies

5. The Open Job Market
Niche Sites
MediaBistro.com
eFinancialCareers.com
GovernmentJobs.com
Idealist.org
HigherEdJobs.com
LawJobs.com
TVJobs.com
Eteach.com
ArtJobsOnline
Other
Professional
Associations/conferences
Job Fairs
NACElink
Career Fairs
On-Campus Recruiting
Alumnae Network
Academic Departments
Facebook/Twitter
General Job Search Sites
Indeed.com
Simply Hired
CareerInsider.Vault.com
LinkedIn.com
HotJobs.com
JobCentral.com
Jobster.com
CareerBuilder.com
Monster.com

6. Strengthening Your Application by
Following Up
• Submit your application as soon as possible after a job is posted or you find out about it.
• Don’t wait for the deadline
• Same day after you officially apply, follow up with the point of contact, department, or company unless
expressly told not
• Express interest
• Draw attention to your application
• Suggest a meeting or interview
• HR is separate from hiring decision
• Reach out again
• Via email: 1 week after submission
• Via phone, a few days after email,
if you don’t hear back
Dear Mr. Murray,
My name is Kim Smith and last week, I applied for the Teller
position with JP Morgan. I’m writing to inquire about where you
are at in the hiring process. I remain very interested in this
career opportunity. Are you available 3/16 or 3/17 for an
interview? My schedule is completely open on both of those days.
Thank you very much and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you and have a nice day,
Kim Smith
555-555-5555
Dear Mr. Murray,
How are you? My name is Kim Smith and I applied for the Teller
position with JP Morgan. I am very excited about this opportunity
and feel I would be an excellent fit in your company. I have
attached my resume and cover letter for your convenience. I would
appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss the
Teller position. I can be reached at the following number:
555-555-5555.
Kind Regards,
Kim Smith

7. The Hidden Job Market
will require you to be more proactive and assertive
Accessed through: NETWORKING in person & via email
Friends Relatives Neighbors
Friend’s parents Co-workers Professors
Supervisors Alumnae Club members
Classmates Speakers Academic advisor
LinkedIn Professional
organizations
• Ideally, you want to come away with a specific job lead, company/organization to research,
and/or referral to someone hiring
• Inside knowledge and advice is valuable, especially regarding industry trends, current economic
climate, and salaries
Create a list of personal & professional contacts

8. Preparing your 30 Second Pitch
Who are you? • What do you do? • What are you looking for?
• consider how your education, work experience, and personality characteristics would
add value to an organization
• outline key points you want to touch on
• make a short list of statements about your accomplishments on the job as well as
other relevant skills and personal attributes. Use powerful words that convey a strong
message
• after you have listed 10-15 of these attributes, select the strongest sentences and cut
as many unnecessary words as possible in order to fit the 30 second time frame
• Add a brief opening (name, profession) and closing (reiterate what you want to
happen next)
• make sure your statements tell a cohesive story and keep re-reading and editing until
you feel confident that your pitch flows nicely

9. Practicing Your 30 Second Pitch
• Practice, practice, practice
• alone/in front of mirror
• record yourself
• with others (family, friends, career counselor) – get feedback
• Keep revising as you use it in networking
• There are many “30 second pitch” articles online (Forbes.com, etc.)
with additional tips

10. 30 Second Pitch Examples
Informal Networking Example: (Shorter version)
“Hi, I’m Jessica Nunez. I am a current Barnard student managing a small non-profit that focuses on health
education for underserved families, and have been working in the field for about 10 years. Though this has
been a hugely rewarding experience, I am looking to transition into arts administration, specifically working
with dance companies.”
Formal Networking Example: (Longer version)
“Hi, I’m Jessica Nunez. I am currently managing a small non-profit that focuses on health education for
undeserved families. In my role as Director at Healthy Families, I increased funding by 200% during by first 2
years in this position. Most recently, I was awarded the “Groundbreaking Curriculum Award,” by the
National Non-profit Advisory Group. I feel my strengths in management, grant-writing, problem-solving and
innovation define me as a professional. Though this work has been a hugely rewarding experience, I am
looking to transition into arts administration, specifically working with dance companies. When I came
across various positions at the Berry Manor Dance Company, I felt that I could seamlessly transition my skill
sets…..”

11. Closed Market Email Campaign
Email #1:
Make contact,
create an
alliance
through a
shared
experience or
similarity, and
ask for
advice.
Dear Mrs. Davis,
How are you? My name is Kim Smith and I am a senior majoring in economics at
Barnard College. Our mutual friend, Diana Adams suggested I reach out to you.
I found your contact information listed on the Alumnae Network on LinkedIn. I
noticed that you have been with JP Morgan Chase for several years now.
Congratulations on your success!
I have just started my job search in finance and I was wondering if you would
have job search advice for someone in my position? I have visited my career
office and am currently using large online job sites such as “indeed.com,” as
well as smaller, industry specific sites such as “eFinancialCareers.” Is
there a specific job search strategy you would recommend?
I understand that you are very busy so please respond at your convenience. I
appreciate your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards,
Kim Smith

12. Closed Market Email Campaign Cont.
Email #2: Sent to
those who
respond - Thank
for time, send
resume, and ask
for “insider”
advice on resume
• If after 7 days,
person does not
respond, send a
follow up
Dear Mrs. Davis,
Thank you so much for this advice. I will be sure to
incorporate those strategies into my job search efforts.
I understand that you are quite busy, but I was wondering
if you would mind taking a quick look at my attached
resume and giving me some feedback. I have visited the
Career Development Office but I would very much value
your opinion as well because you work in the industry.
Thank you again for your time and I look forward to
hearing from you.
Warm Regards,
Kim Smith

13. Closed Market Email Campaign Cont.
Email #3: Ask for
referral to a person
responsible for hiring
• This goes out in 7
days no matter
what
• Reach out
regardless of if
they responded to
your 2nd email
• Make sure you are
asking for a referral
NOT a
recommendation
Dear Mrs. Davis,
I have done some research on JP Morgan
Chase and I think I would be a great
fit for the organization. Can you
please refer me to the appropriate
person for employment. (or) Who could
I speak to about employment? Thank you!
Sincerely,
Kim Smith

14. Letter of Inquiry
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Per my conversation with Joanna Davis of JP Morgan Chase,
she suggested I contact you to find out about employment
opportunities in the area of commercial banking. I am
very interested in JP Morgan because of its mission
to_____, which I feel is congruent with my values,
interest and education.
Please find attached my cover letter and resume for your
convenience. I am happy to discuss any opportunities you
might see fit for me.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Kim Smith
555-555-5555
Reach out to your companies of interest & referrals ASAP

15. Sample Job Search Plans
Monday – Make 5 networking contacts (follow up next week)
Tuesday – Find and apply to 5 jobs (follow up next week)
Wednesday – Research companies; send letters of inquiry (follow up next week)
Thursday – Search for and register for job fairs/miscellaneous (follow up next week)
Friday – Search and apply for job opportunities through professional associations (follow up next week)
Saturday – LinkedIn checklist: add contacts, read and post in groups
Map out how you will organize your job search efforts
(Buy a planner that you use for the job search)
M T W Th F
Informational
interviews
Online
research
Fellowship
Applications
Online
Applications
Miscellaneous

16. Tracking System
Keep track of
company, job
description, dates
applied, and
contact
information for
organizations and
people
• Excellent way
to record
progress
• This is a great
reminder for
the interview.
Company Job Description Date
Sent
Contact
Person
Contact Info
Sun PR Manage social media marketing
campaigns, including budgets. Establish
effective benchmarks for measuring
impact of social media programs. Lead
blog outreach. Organize and produce
weekly press recap.
5/11/09 Michael Blake mb@sunpr.com
MediaGlobe Help lead the media side of two major
brands in the technology space and
aerospace defense Advise clients and
account teams to create compelling
media strategies and work to increase
visibility of brands.
5/7/09 Kathy Bliss kb@mg.com
PRBlitz Organize and produce weekly press
recap. Lead blog outreach. Establish
effective benchmarks for measuring
impact of social media programs.
Manage social media marketing
campaigns, including budgets.
4/7/09 Beth Tren bt@blitz.com

17. Professional References
• Professional references are people chosen by you to speak positively in support of your application
• Before you apply to jobs, contact 3 former managers, colleagues/co-workers and professors
• ask if they are willing to be a reference
• A separate page is used to list your references and in the order you prefer them to be contacted
• Contact references after the interview
• Inform them that you had an interview and they should expect a call
• Give them a list of 3 things to say
• Make it easy for them
• Align with interview
• Follow up with a thank-you regardless

18. Be Kind to Yourself!
• Looking for work is challenging
• Routine, mundane and tedious
• Periods of minimal results can be frustrating or discouraging
• Easy to feel alone, isolated, ashamed
• Make it manageable
• Keep it Part Time, NOT 24/7
• Balance your job-seeking work with other activities
• Celebrate/reward yourself
• Work with yourself, not against yourself
• Try to observe and take advantage of your work patterns
• Assess your best time of day for focus and productivity
• Do you work better in small, frequent bursts, or during long stretches of time?
• Stay Positive
• Surround yourself with people who believe in you, support and motivate you
• The hiring process, from start to finish can take awhile be patient
• Don’t become too focused on any one possible job
• keep applying to others
• keep networking
• Be confident in your values and skills: you have a lot to offer, and you will be offered the right job
• Stay realistic
• If you’re consistently not getting interviews, or not getting offers after the interviews, you’ll need to re-
assess – come see us!

19. QUESTIONS ?