The Job Seeker’s “Ready or Not” Quiz

iStock_000008869981XSmall_1_.jpgContributed by Kathryn Sollmann of Women@Work Network

Your job search seems never-ending – is it the recession or is it you? Are you overlooking basic but critical job search strategies that are required in even the strongest economic cycles?

Take this simple quiz developed by the Women@Work Network to find out if you need to revisit your job search foundation. You may be very surprised…even many senior-level professionals are discovering that they are jeopardizing their own job search success.

True or False?

(Note: A “true” answer must be 100% true!)

  1. I know the kind of job commitment (part-time, full-time, consulting, etc.) that works best for me and my family and I have buy-in from all constituents.
  2. I know the general salary range that I am seeking and the minimum that I could accept to meet my personal financial obligations.
  3. I have a very clear and realistic understanding of the type and level of position I am qualified for at this time.
  4. Even though I have many skills and talents, I realize that telling employers that I am flexible and willing to do any type of job is more negative than positive.
  5. I understand that employers hire candidates who can jump in and add immediate value—and I can clearly state problems that I can solve, challenges that I can meet and initiatives I can lead in my area of expertise.
  6. I have a five-minute prepared “elevator speech” that quickly summarizes for friends, colleagues, networking contacts and potential employers the kind of work I have done in the past, my key strengths and the type of positions I am now seeking.
  7. I know the kind of company and culture that would be the best fit for me—in terms of industry, size, environment, etc.
  8. I have researched companies that I am targeting thoroughly: the web site, current media reports, discussions with current or past employees, etc.
  9. When I search for a job, I think about how I am going to package and sell myself.
  10. I have only one resume (not several different versions) with a summary statement at the top that is a quick snapshot of who I am and the skills and experience that I have to offer.
  11. My resume is not more than two pages long.
  12. At least three people who have proven writing and editing skills have proofread my resumé for errors that could cost me an interview.
  13. I recognize that my #1 job search strategy should be networking, but I don’t let any discomfort about “approaching strangers” stand in my way.
  14. I have exhausted every possible personal networking contact from past jobs, alumni groups, religious affiliations, parents in children’s’ schools, book groups, tennis groups, etc.—and I’ve considered everyone I know, my spouse knows, my sister knows, etc.
  15. I have researched and joined all local and online networking groups that make sense for my level and area of expertise.
  16. I do not spend the greatest percentage of my time searching for opportunities on company-sponsored or mass market job boards to find open positions.
  17. When I apply for a job, I always send my resume along with a cover letter. I specifically state why I am a fit for the job—covering all the job requirements and responsibilities point by point.
  18. When I go to an interview or think about going to an interview, I do not get ready to apologize for any aspect of my past experience or my time out of the workforce.
  19. I have zeroed in on two or three examples — or “stories” — from my past experience that illustrate why I am qualified for the type of job that I am seeking.
  20. I have thought about questions that I will likely be asked in an interview and I have answers that will exude competence and confidence.

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SCORING AND ACTION STEPS

For each question that you answered “true” give yourself 3 points.

If you scored 45 to 60, you have a solid job search foundation. Stay focused, keep your job search message consistent, and step up your networking–and you will find a position that meets your profile.

Action Steps:

  • Step up your person-to-person networking. Spend less time attending networking group events (where you might, by chance, meet people who can help you), and instead target key individuals who can provide powerful personal connections.
  • Make sure that you are not letting your resume speak for itself. Many accomplished mid to senior-level women think they don’t have to overtly sell their strengths. Not true! Make sure that you respond to every job posting with a cover letter that directly states how your skills and experience directly meet the job responsibilities and requirements.
  • Don’t just assume that your skills can be transferred to another industry—a marketing job in the investment industry, for example, is not the same as a marketing job at a technology company. Yes, you use the same basic skills…but you need to research and network to find out the nuances of marketing in various fields. Then do the work for employers…give them specific examples of work that you have done that is similar to the marketing work required in their industries.

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If you scored 30 to 42, you have a clear sense of what it takes to land a job, but there are some holes in your strategy. Make sure that you have covered all the job search basics so that you do not prolong your job search unnecessarily.

Action Steps: Read the action steps in the previous section, and…

  • Make sure that your resume includes “metrics”—facts and figures that give employers the scope of your responsibilities and the proof of your achievements. Who you reported to, how many people you managed, the fact that you exceeded goals by 30%.
  • Get off the computer: spend only a fraction of your time on job boards that generate thousands and thousands of resumes in this tight job market. It’s still true that most jobs are found through networking—and people, not computers, hire people.
  • Know your minimum compensation range (the number that you need to meet your personal obligations) and don’t play games. Tell employers what you’re looking for and you’ll move to the interview stage faster. Forget the salary web sites and what you think you’re worth. With few exceptions (notably major investment banks or law firms hiring new MBAs or JDs), compensation is determined solely by company budgets, not by peer companies or all-star job applicants.

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If you scored less than 30, you will have a hard time convincing employers that they should hire you. Spend more time thinking about how you want to work, the skills you have to offer, the positions you are qualified for, how you can sell yourself in the most compelling manner and the types of companies you should best target. Action Steps: Look at all the suggestions in the other sections, and:

  • Write your resume before you decide exactly what you want to do. Your skills and experience are the same whether you decide to pursue work in Accounting or Zoology. It is a mistake to try to tailor your resume to a specific job or industry.
  • Make sure that you have only one version of a strong, clear, straightforward professional resumé. More than one version means that you have not done a good job of identifying skills and experience that would apply to any job in any industry anywhere in the world. Start your resume with a summary, not an objective. Chronological, not functional format.
  • Stop saying that you don’t have any contacts. Everyone has contacts (even if you have recently moved to a new area) Make lists of everyone who could possibly help you through high school and college alumni associations, your children’s schools, religious affiliations, tennis or book groups, previous jobs, social clubs, professional organizations, etc. Once you have your list of potential contacts, make a list of everyone your husband, sister or friends know—and your list of contacts will continually grow.

The Women@Work Network is a community of 6,000 mid to senior level women nationwide. The company offers events, services and networking chapters in major metropolitan markets—giving current and returning professional women the tools they need to help each other and propel their job search forward. Women@work is also a recruiting firm, placing women into permanent full-time and part-time positions—as well as consulting and temporary assignments.

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