10 Steps to a Successful Job Search

1. Keep an accurate record of everything you do pertaining to your search.
2. Identify the geographic areas where you are willing to work.
3. Identify all employers within that area who could effectively utilize your skills/education.
4. Research those companies and develop a list of 20-25 companies in which you are most interested. Employer and industry information is available in the Career Center Resource Library in Ammons Hall, 711 Oval Drive, and also through our Career Search (employer database tool).
5. After conducting research, select the five companies of greatest interest to you.
6. Present yourself on paper. Send a resume and cover letter to the employer, stating your interest in obtaining a personal interview or the opportunity to speak with them in person about the company or organization.
7. Make appointments, if possible, with the person in each of those organizations who has the authority to hire you. If that is not possible, make an appointment with someone in the personnel office of that organization.
8. If you are unable to schedule an employment interview, try to arrange an informational interview.
9. If you have not received any offers at this point, go back to step 4 and select the next five employers on your initial list. Note: consider other geographical areas in which you are willing to work.
10. Periodically re-contact those employers in which you are most interested. Sometimes persistent, systematic contacts will lead to a job offer.

Best and Worst Ways to Search for a Job
Best	Worst
Asking for job leads from family, friends, career center staff, and other contacts 33% success rate Visiting organizations that interest you 47% success rate Calling organizations that interest you to see if they are hiring for the type of position you can do and do well 69% success rate (when doing this by yourself) 84% success rate (when doing this with other job hunters) Using a combined and creative approach to job-hunting 86% success rate	Using the Internet 4% success rate Mailing out resumes to employers at random 7% success rate Answering ads in professional or trade journals specific to your field 7% success rate Answering local newpaper ads 5-24% success rate Going to private employment agencies or search firms for help 5-28% success rate

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