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FINDING A JOB:Targeting your job search, The Internet and Résumé Database Services, Extreme Job Hunting

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Human Relations­ MGMT611
VU
Lesson 26
FINDING A JOB
Conducting a job search
Human relations course is designed for personal satisfaction and for organizational success we work in. This
lesson examines the mechanics and some of the underlying psychology of conducting a job search.
Although most students know something about conducting a job campaign, a systematic look at the topic
will also be in their best interest. With careful planning and preparation, a job search is likely to be
successful.
Job search is a systematic way of finding a job that suits your circumstances and interests.
Effort (No qismat, qismat is to explain the past, not the future)
Match between nature of job and qualifications is important
Match between employee and employer is important
Person-organization fit
Targeting your job search
It pays to begin the job search with a flexible attitude toward the type of job sought. Knowing what type of
organization is suited to one's needs and preference is another part of the job search. You are much more
likely to be successful in your new job and your career when you find a good person-organization fit, the
compatibility of the individual and the organization (Do you fit the culture?).
Questioning people who work for different employers can provide useful information about types of
organizations. Conducting an Internet search about the employer has become standard practice. Yet not
every job candidate can afford to be as selective about as prospective employer.
Targeting job search
There are certain points which we should keep in mind while looking for a job.
a. Would I feel more comfortable working in an office with hundreds of other people? Or would I
prefer just a handful of coworkers?
b. Would I prefer working in a place where people went out of their way to dress in a stylish manner?
Or would I prefer an informal place where not so much emphasis was placed on appearance?
c. Would I prefer to work in a small town or in a busy metropolitan area?
d. How important is access to stores and restaurants?
e. Would it be best for me to work where I could rely on public transportation
f.  Would I really prefer an easygoing atmosphere or a highly competitive environment?
g. How important are the social aspects of work to me?
Networking (Contacts and Referrals)
The most effective job-finding method is through personal contacts or networking. Networking helps the
job seeker capitalize upon the insider system. Carrying business cards facilitates networking. Job seekers
should keep their requests for assistance brief and pointed.
Facets of personal network
. Friends and people you meet while traveling
. Parents and other family members
. Parents of friends
. Friends of parents
. Work associates
. Faculty and staff
. Former or present employer
. Friends from sports/extra curricular activities
. Religious or community groups
. Trade and professional bodies
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Human Relations­ MGMT611
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Job-finding methods
Two cornerstone principles of conducting a job campaign are to use several different methods and to keep
trying. Most job-finding techniques are inefficient because so many attempts must be made, yet effective
because they ultimately work. Surprising recent information is that classified ads are still a major source of
job for candidates and employees.
The Internet and Résumé Database Services
The Internet is now a standard part of job hunting, with dozens of job-hunting sites available. Job boards
related to specific industries have grown in popularity. Company Websites are strongly recommended for
job hunting. Job seekers should remember that the Internet is but one method of conducting a job search.
A major challenge of job hunting through the Internet is to find a way to speak to a company representative
about your application. Speaking to a telephone operator will sometimes provide a lead to a contact person.
Unsolicited Letter or e-mail Campaign
A standard job-finding method is the unsolicited letter or e-mail campaign, or writing directly to a
company one would like to work for. You compose a master list of firms for whom you would like to work,
using the most relevant categories such as industry and location. Address the letter to a specific individual,
and include a cover letter and résumé.
Telesearch
The telesearch involves making unsolicited phone calls to prospective employers. The job seeker prepares
a list of names, and calls them with a prepared one-minute presentation in an attempt to arrange an
interview. Because of voice mail systems, the telesearch has become more difficult to implement.
Self- Assessment:
By answering these questions we can assess whether we have the ability to find a particular job.
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Human Relations­ MGMT611
VU
Qualification Sought by Employers
Following is a list of qualifications widely sought by prospective employers. After
reading each qualification, rate yourself on a 1-to-5 scale on the particular dimension.
1 = very low; 2 = low; 3 = average; 4 = high; 5 = very high
1.
Appropriate education for the position under consideration
1
2
3
4
5
and satisfactory grades
2.
Relevant work experience
1
2
3
4
5
3.
Communication and other interpersonal skills
1
2
3
4
5
4.
Motivation, tendency, and energy
1
2
3
4
5
5.
Problem-solving ability (intelligence) and creativity
1
2
3
4
5
6.
Judgment and common sense
1
2
3
4
5
7.
Adaptability to change
1
2
3
4
5
8.
Emotional maturity (acting professionally and responsibly)
1
2
3
4
5
9.
Teamwork (ability and interest in working in a team effort)
1
2
3
4
5
10.
Positive attitude (enthusiasm about work and initiative)
1
2
3
4
5
11.
Customer service orientation
1
2
3
4
5
12.
Information technology skills
1
2
3
4
5
13.
Internet research skills
1
2
3
4
5
14.
Willingness to continue to study and learn about job,
1
2
3
4
5
company, and industry
15.
Likability and sense of humor
1
2
3
4
5
16.
Dependability, responsibility, and conscientiousness
1
2
3
4
5
(including good work habits and time management)
1
2
3
4
5
17.
Leadership ability (takes the initiative to assume
responsibility for accomplishing tasks and influencing
others)
Interpretation: Consider engaging in some serious self-development, training, and education for items that
you rated yourself low or very low. If you accurately rated yourself as 4 or 5 on all the dimensions, you are
an exceptional job candidate.
Source: DuBrin, Andrew J. `Human Relations: Career and Personal Success', Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.
Placement Offices, Employment Agencies, and Career Fairs
The placement office is a primary avenue for job finding, and also offers guidance on conducting a job
search. Employment agencies are the most effective for applicants with about five to ten years of
experience. Yet many people qualify for temporary assignments that may lead to permanent jobs. A
variation of an employment agency is a career agent, who for a fixed fee works on behalf of his or her client.
The career agent provides job search and career counseling, and also has links with employers to help
clients find positions.
Career (or job) fairs function somewhat like a temporary placement office. Employers visit the fair to recruit
employees, and applicants register at the fair and present their résumés. Fairs are also useful for learning
about employment trends and networking.
Help Wanted Ads
Help-wanted ads are still a standard way of finding a suitable position. Because so many people respond to
ads listing attractive-sounding positions, this method yields relatively few interviews. The four types of ads
are: (1) open ads, (2) blind ads, (3) employment agency ads, and (4) catch ads--those with great promises of
riches.
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Human Relations­ MGMT611
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Extreme Job Hunting
Extreme job hunting is any highly unusual, complicated tactic that involves a gimmick for finding a job. Such
tactics are likely to be rejected by some employers who would regard the applicant as a nuisance, yet these
tactics can land a job.
In addition to being aware of the various job-finding methods, it is also important to consider when to begin
a job search. Finding a position within thirty days is exceptional, whereas a total time of about six months is
typical.
Career (or job) fairs function somewhat like a temporary placement office. Employers visit the fair to recruit
employees, and applicants register at the fair and present their résumés. Fairs are also useful for learning
about employment trends and networking.
Cover letters
The cover letter multiplies the effectiveness of the résumé because it enables you to prepare a tailor-made
individual approach to each position you pursue. Explain why you are applying for the position in question,
and why you should be considered.
Attention-Getting Cover Letter
An effective cover letter captures the reader's attention with a direct statement of what you might be able to
do for the company. Keep the "what I can do for you" strategy paramount in mind at every stage of job
finding. After you have stated how you can help the employer, present a one-page summary of your
education and the highlights of your work experience. Consider also using a personal contact as part of the
attention grabber.
The T-Form Cover Letter
The T-form (or column) approach gives the reader a tabular outline of how the applicant's background fits
the position description. The T-form cover letter is also recommended because it has an attention-getting
format.
Electronic Submission of the Résumé
Not every prospective employer can or is willing to accept compressed files. The easiest approach is to
submit your résumé as a Microsoft Word document or plain text file. Yet, some companies will not open
attached files because of concerns about computer viruses. As a last resort, copy your résumé directly into
the e-mail document.
References:
Dubrin, A.J. (2005). Human Relations for Career and Personal Success. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey,
07458.
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Table of Contents:
  1. HUMAN RELATIONS:Some Guidelines for Effective Human Relations, Communication has 3meanings
  2. CULTURE AND PERSONALITY:Definition of sub culture, Definition of Personality, Types of Persons
  3. PERSONALITY AND STRESS:Personality, PERSONAL TOOLS TO CONTROL STRESS
  4. PERCEPTION AND INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOUR:Three concepts of personality, Bias in Perception
  5. PERCEPTION AND GROUP BEHAVIOR:Characteristics of Groups, Individual and Group Behavior
  6. ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR:Types of Attitudes, Steps to turn attitude into action
  7. PERSONAL MOTIVATION AND ACHIEVEMENT:Needs and Motivation, Self-discipline and motivation
  8. SOLVING PROBLEMS SKILLFULLY:Problem solving and cognition, Ways to solve problems
  9. CREATIVITY IN PROBLEM SOLVING:Barriers to creativity, Tips to solve problems creatively
  10. HANDLING PERSONAL ISSUES:Self-Defeating Behaviour, Positive attitude to tackle personal problems
  11. CONFLICT RESOLUTION:WHY SO MUCH CONFLICT EXISTS, TECHNIQUES FOR RESOLVING CONFLICTS
  12. COMMUNICATION AND HUMAN RELATIONS:Process of communication, Improving gender barriers to communication
  13. ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION:To improve listening skills, Types of organizational communication
  14. UNDERSTANDING COMMUNICATION STYLES:Modeling communication style, Sociability continuum
  15. SELF-ESTEEM:Building process of self-esteem, Self-esteem and public image
  16. BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE:The importance of self-confidence and self-efficacy, Balanced Self-Confidence:
  17. BECOMING A LEADER-1:Assessing leadership role, Traits and Characteristics of Effective Leaders
  18. BECOMING A LEADER-II:Theories of leadership, Developing leadership potential
  19. GLOBALIZATION AND CROSS-CULTURAL DIFFERENCES:Religious Values and Bicultural Identities
  20. IMPROVING CROSS-CULTURAL COMPETENCE:Strategies to improve cross-cultural relations, More steps to improve Cultural Relations
  21. BUILDING GOOD RELATIONS WITH MANAGERS:Impressing your manager, Coping with a problem manager
  22. BUILDING GOOD RELATIONS WITH CO-WORKERS:Make Co-workers feel important, Maintain Honest and Open Relationships
  23. BUILDING GOOD RELATIONS WITH CUSTOMERS:Salesperson Represents the Business, Approaching the Customer, Excuses vs. Objections
  24. CHOOSING A CAREER-1:Ten Myths about Choosing a Career, Attitude toward and Perceptions about Myself
  25. CHOOSING A CAREER-II:Choosing a career and developing a portfolio Career, Suggestions for career Preparation
  26. FINDING A JOB:Targeting your job search, The Internet and Résumé Database Services, Extreme Job Hunting
  27. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESUME:Major types of resumes, Electronic Submission of the Résumé
  28. IMPROVING INTERVIEW SKILLS:Successful interview, Knowing the employer or Organization
  29. IMPROVING WORK HABITS-1:Reasons of procrastination, Techniques for Reducing Procrastination
  30. IMPROVING WORK HABITS-2:Developing the proper attitudes and values, Time-management techniques
  31. NEW MODEL OF CAREER ADVANCEMENT:Career portability, HUMAN RELATIONS SELF-ASSESSMENT
  32. TAKING CONTROL OF YOURSELF:Develop Outstanding Interpersonal Skills, Business etiquettes
  33. EXERTING CONTROL ON OUTSIDE ENVIRONMENT:Important communication tip, Exerting control over the outside world
  34. MANAGING PERSONAL FINANCES-1:Your personal financial plan, Steps in budget making
  35. MANAGING PERSONAL FINANCES-2:Basic investment principles, Tolerance for Investment Risks, Types of investments
  36. ACHIEVING HAPPINESS-1:Finding happiness and enhancing your personal life, The key to happiness
  37. ACHIEVING HAPPINESS-2:The Five Principles of Psychological Functioning, Your mind and Happiness
  38. ACHIEVING HAPPINESS-3:Need for intimacy, Working out issues with relationships
  39. APATHY AND ITS REMEDIES:Let us try to understand the various definitions of apathy, Coping strategies for apathy
  40. ENHANCING PERSONAL ETHICS-1:Influence of Culture, Common ethical problems
  41. ENHANCING PERSONAL ETHICS-2:Common ethical problems, Guidelines for Behaving Ethically
  42. HELPING OTHERS GROW:Being a Nurturing, Positive Person, A list of mentoring behaviour, Coaching skills and techniques
  43. REVIEW-I:What is a Human Relation?, Meanings of Communication, Two types of stress, Some personal problem, Communication style
  44. REVIEW-II:Steps to build self-confidence, Globalization, Building Good Relations with Co-workers, Good work habits
  45. REVIEW-III:New model of career advancement, Choosing your investment, Tactics for Dealing with Difficult People