East Carolina UniversityEast Carolina UniversityTThe Career Centerhe Career Center

Your Success is Our Business!

Strategic Job Hunting Strategic Job Hunting In A Down EconomyIn A Down Economy

Presented By:

A department within the Division of Student Affairs

Our mission is to teach career-related skills that facilitate career and professional development

Liaisons to each college and professional school

Offer services to undergraduate students, graduate students, and ECU alumni

Who We AreWho We Are

Where We AreWhere We Are

Main Office:701 East 5th Street

(corner of 5th & Jarvis)

Greenville, NC 27858252-328-6050

www.ecu.edu/careerMonday – Friday: 8AM – 5PM

Satellite Office:1504 Laupus Library

(Health Sciences Building)Greenville, NC 27858

252-737-1572www.ecu.edu/career

Hours Vary

Presentation Overview The job market today Myths about a job search in a down economy The “hidden” job market Job search effectiveness Ah hah strategies A recent graduates perspective Redirecting your job search 8 common job search mistakes Questions and answers

The Job Market TodayThe Good and Bad News 103,000 jobs were added to the U.S. economy last December Yet many economists believe the 9.4% jobless rate will fall

slowly Employers expect to hire 5.3% more new college graduates this

spring Yet starting salary offers for the class of 2010 are down 1.7% More US employers plan to increase their work force in the next

six months Yet more college graduates are “moving back home” after

graduation while working full-time or looking for work It is “buyer’s market” for employers with jobs

Sources: ABC News.com, Monster.com, NACEweb.com

It’s a Scary Job Market . . .

But don’t despair – there are strategies to

help you find a job, even in a downeconomy

Myths About Job-Hunting in a Down Economy

No one is hiring – there are no jobs The best way to find jobs is online Applying to companies in a hiring freeze is

a waste of time Expect a salary cut Experience and advanced degrees

guarantee a job A job search is harder in this economy

Sources: Hotjobs.yahoo.com,

Job Search Effectiveness

The Best Job Seekers Get The Best Jobs

Multi-Tasking & Multi-Tasking & Managing the ProcessManaging the Process

The “Hidden” Job Market

Approximately 80% of available jobs are never advertised

Employers rely on personal referrals

Make contact before an employer knows they need you

Networking: 30-49% Direct Contact with Decision-

Makers: 19 – 37% Published Job Openings: 15 –

24% All others: 1 – 16%

Effectiveness of Job Search Channels

Four Stages of a Job Opening

1. No opening exists, but employers are always looking for good people

2. The need to hire someone is clear; insiders know, but no action has been taken

3. Job now available; internal posting, referrals accepted, resumes/applications accepted

4. Ad is put in newspaper, journal, etc.; personnel services possibly contacted

Ten Ah hah StrategiesTen Ah hah Strategies1. Define your personal brand2. Cast a wider net3. Network . . . the right way4. Become an industry insider5. Be seen by the right people

Source: Lindsey Pollak and PWC.com

6. Get your “foot in the door” anyway you can

7. Follow up with everyone you meet8. Take advantage of everything

Career Services offers9. Treat your resume as a work of art10.Keep your spirits up

Source: Lindsey Pollak and PWC.com

Ten Ah hah StrategiesTen Ah hah Strategies

Implementing/Managing Your Search

Organize yourself with a system Devote time to the process Keep records of initial contacts

and follow-ups Set reasonable goals for your

search Continue to assess the process

Need To Redirect Your Search?

Clarify goals and redefine options – broaden or narrow them

Have your resume reviewed by a Career Advisor or other professional

Geographic restrictions? Do your skills match with the needs

of the job, employer, career path?

Top 10 Skills Employers Want

1. Communication skills2. Strong work ethic3. Teamwork skills4. Initiative5. Analytical skills6. Computer skills7. Flexibility/adaptability8. Interpersonal skills9. Problem-solving skills10. Technical skills

Data collected from JobWeb.com

8 Common Job Search Mistakes

1. Relying on one strategy2. Lack of focus/career objective 3. Failure to identify and use network4. Targeting only large employers5. Failure to follow–up6. Unprofessional materials/appearance7. Impersonal approach8. Underestimate time needed to search

Keep It In Perspective

Don’t take rejection personally Maintain a balance between job

search and everyday routine Remind yourself of your skills and

accomplishments Use your resources Be persistent - you will find

employment

That’s All Folks!That’s All Folks!

Thank you for your time and attention!

Any questions?

East Carolina UniversityThe Career Center

Your Success is Our Business!

Main Office:

701 East 5th Street (corner of 5th & Jarvis)

Greenville, NC 27858

252-328-6050

www.ecu.edu/career

Satellite Office:

1504 Laupus Library (Health Sciences Building)

Greenville, NC 27858

252-737-1572

www.ecu.edu/career