Eleven Small Steps for Job Seekers

Finding a job can seem like a huge task, especially in a difficult economy or if you’re dealing with the recent loss of a job. Keeping things in perspective will make your job search seem more manageable. Finding a job is a big deal, but the things you must do to find a job a mostly small task. Here are some small steps you can take today to start your job search or keep it moving.

Proofread your résumé
Proper spelling and grammar in your résumé is an important part of presenting a polished, professional image. While you’re looking it over, you may find you may want to update it and make other improvements. That’s fine. Get yourself started with the small step or proofreading.

Contact one friend who doesn’t yet know about your job search
Networking is an important part of the job search and many people find jobs through their existing connections. More people results in more leads and more opportunities for you. In addition, old school friends and distant relatives you don’t often see may be glad to get a call or letter from you and answer your request for help.

Go to one meeting
Face-to-face networking opportunities can be especially fruitful. If you belong to a professional or civic organization, go to the meetings. You may be able to attend meetings of local chapters or state associations at very little cost. Professional association meetings in particular can present opportunities to meet managers and executives of potential employers as well as others who work for those companies. Go to these meetings prepared to make a good impression and to learn a lot.

Take one person to lunch
If you’re out of work, you may feel isolated from others. Take care of your social needs by inviting someone to lunch. Make it doubly worthwhile by someone wise who may be able to help you. When you make the appointment, let them know what you’re expecting of them whether advice, encouragement or just company. Though money might be tight for you now, if you invite someone to lunch be prepared to pick up the bill.

Research one place you want to live
Your job search may present an opportunity to relocate to a place that better suits you. If you want to live in a seaside resort, near the mountains, closer to relatives, somewhere warmer, in the country or in the city, consider it now. Many cities have web sites and even small communities may have chambers of commerce that can give you information about area employers.

Research one company for which you want to work
If you’re looking for work anyway, you might as well aim for that dream workplace. If there is a company you admire, that produces esteemed products or service or has a great reputation for treating employees well, check it out. You could be enjoying the benefits of working there. Even if you don’t get a job with your employer of choice, you’ll learn something about what you like and dislike in a workplace that will help you evaluate other employers.

Send one unsolicited résumé
While you’re researching companies, you may discover you really want to work for one, or even for a particular person. An executive may look very friendly in their profile picture or you may sense they have real hiring authority. Send them a letter briefly explaining your interest in their company and what you can do for them. Enclose your carefully proofread résumé.

Respond to one ad
While many people find jobs through networking, some find them through ads. If companies weren’t seriously hoping to find good candidates through ads, they wouldn’t waste the money. So look through your newspaper or job listing web site and respond to one of those ads.

Read one book
If you’re between jobs, you may have time for reading you didn’t have before. Books can provide you a wealth of information and, if you borrow from your local library or friends, it may be free. You can choose books to help you improve your job search, learn new skills or just escape in an entertaining story for a while.

Exercise for one minute
You might also have time to get in shape. Even if you’re employed full time, you might benefit from a little exercise. Physical activity has many benefits including relieving the effects of stress and searching for a new job can be very stressful. Start with just a minute a day and you may soon find yourself getting much more active and healthy.

Do it again
No one of these things is likely to result in you finding a job on the first attempt. If you exhaust the list, go back and do it again. If you’re feeling great, you may want to do much more in a day. If you’re feeling stuck, one small step may keep you going in the right direction.

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