Outfitter for your job search

POWER UP YOUR PLAN

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. – Anonymous

We have devised a simple, 4-Step process to help you organize your research, thoughts and tasks related to job search or career development. You can certainly jump ahead in the process, but do return to complete all of the items, for you’ll want to walk into the interview feeling confident and knowledgeable.

There is much more to an effective job search than posting a hastily created resume on multiple job boards. The purpose of our steps is to force you to think through the actions you will take, to role play them in your mind, to assemble information of such things as your target compensation, your personal marketing documents, pre- and post-interview documents, references and your geographic preferences. The key is to be certain of your responses before you show up for an interview.

To briefly recap our 4-step ‘ADIE’ plan:

A – Assess and Analyze – understand your job search goals, your strengths & weaknesses. To proceed with the Assessment step, please click here. To see an example of a completed assessment, click here.

Start to identify gaps in skills, performance and documents that need to be addressed in the Design step (below). For an example, click here.

D – Design – build out a plan of attack. For a completed example, click here. Now review and complete each of the following items (click to read tips):

Your Resume

Cover letter and other documents

Knowledge Biography

Sharpening your motivation, goal setting, time management, and resolve

Where to send your resume

Preparing for phone interviews

Preparing for in-person interviews

Talking to your references before the hiring manager calls

To proceed to the Design Step, please click here.

I – Implement – You’ve completed the most difficult portion – the drudgery – of your job search. Now the fun begins! For tips on how to stay motivated day in, day out, read this document.

Review: Resume and supporting documents (click for tips)

Review: Your offline and online networks, and how they can help you. (click for tips)

E – Evaluate - track and measure how you are doing. For a sample tracking tool, click here.

The person who plans for long term success does not stop the development process once there is a job offer in hand. After accepting a job offer, you should plan on how to be successful at your new place of work. How you’ll get develop a working relationship with your new boss and your peers and subordinates (if any). You may want to read this webpage.

The ADIE Process (Click on the images below)

If you wish to download a PDF version of this figure (for improved clarity), click here: Flowchart for job search