MyJobHunt

Create Your Own JOB HUNT RECORD!

We suggest all job candidates keep track of their search activities at each job site by recording in a Job Hunt Record notebook, spreadsheet, and/or a file cabinet. Tracking your job search efforts will help you separate what’s working from what is not working—so that you can improve your job search skills and land that next great job. Here are a few tips.

Starting a Job Search.

Set up a separate page, section, or (best) file for each job site that you use, and keep a diary. Record the following information for each job site you use:

-Name of job site and the date you established an account at that job site, if registration was required

-Your account name and password, if they were needed.

-Name of job site and date when you posted a resume, including the version of your resume that you used (e.g. the one emphasizing your skills with computers or the one emphasizing your experience in the insurance industry, etc.).

-What job site services that you signed up for (and didn't sign up for) at each job site.

-Phone calls or e-mails from potential employers that are traceable to your use of each job site (you may also want to keep track of unsolicited commercial bulk e-mail that seems related to your use of a specific site).

-Print and Save from each site.

-The level of privacy you chose for your resume and/or contact information

-The Privacy Policy on the date you "joined" the site, and any changes thereafter (if you can)

-The Terms of Use on the date you "joined" the site, and any changes thereafter (if you can)

Keep Track of Each Job For Which You Apply.

-The job title, job identifier number, employer name, location, and date/time you applied

-The version of your resume that you used and any cover letter (or cover paragraph) - print hard copies of these documents if you can

-Contact information for the employer or recruiter

-The names, titles, and dates for everyone with whom you spoke at the employer or recruiter

-Notes on any discussions you had (take notes and then write them up immediately after the conversation)

-The follow up that you did (phone calls, faxes, etc.), and the date and action of the next follow up step.

-Feedback that you received from the recruiter, HR manager, hiring manager, etc.

-Track your networking efforts as well;  who you contacted, when you contact them, why you contacted them (know this before you dial the number or send the e-mail!), the outcome (e.g., left a message, had a conversation, made a lunch date, etc.), and the next step

-What association or society meetings you attended, when you attended, and who you met there

Yes, the tracking is a pain in the neck, but it will provide you with information on what works and what doesn't work -- which job sites are most effective for you and which are a waste of your time, which employers are most interested in you and which don't seem responsive or interested. Then, you can be more efficient in your job search.

Attend TBWA’s Information and Resource Expo On Sept. 28: Learn New Job-Searching Tools And Resources For A New Economy.

Attend TBWA’s Information and Resource Expo: Learn New Job-Searching Tools And Resources For A New Economy.

Looking for a job today can be tough. Having the right training, tools and resources can put your career on the right path. Attend Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance’s Information and Resource Expo and gain insight into emerging job trends and the training you will need to get back into the workforce. Each year, Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance hosts career fairs and a Professional Career Expo to help the career candidate find job searching tools, resources and employment. 

The sessions will each feature a discussion panel presentation focusing on the current Labor Market, what training employers are looking for and available training resources. Having access to the right training, tools and resources can put your career on the right path and improve your employability. 

 -  Gain insight into training resources and tools that may be available to you

-  Learn about job trends in our area

-  Discover how you can prepare for emerging jobs  

The sessions will feature panel presentations focusing on the current labor market, training skills that employers look for and available training resources.  Speak to career counselors and other exhibitors about information and incentives available for home buyers, veterans (GI Bill), training and more.

Monday, September 28, 2009

9:00 a.m. — 10:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.

 Dr. Blaise F. Alfano Conference & Banquet Center                    

11606 McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612

(Click here for directions)

This event is open to the public at no cost, but seating is limited, so you must register to participate. Dress for this event is business casual. Click here to register for the event.

Narrowing Your Search for the Best Results

At MyJobHunt Blog, we know how important it is to have good online ‘Search’ skills, especially if you’re searching for either your dream job, or just a “stepping stone” job. So, if you’re aiming to stay here in Greater Tampa Bay, or in central Florida, what good it is to get a Search Results page of job openings in Nome, Alaska?

So here are some MyJobHunt Blog Quick Tips for localizing your Tampa-Area online job search.

Be One With Google—If you haven’t read Google’s How to Use Google to Find a Job, do so today. It’s a great way to find jobs here in the Tampa Bay Area, and remember; almost every job search site is indexed by Google. Thousands of them!

Refine Your Indeed Search—If you haven’t done so already, check out Indeed, a great job search engine that pulls job listings from major job boards and corporate careers sites. Indeed also allows you to refine your online search.

Target Tampa Bay Companies—While Google Maps is working to create a directory of all local-specific area businesses, it isn’t nearly as refined yet as the Google web search. So use this query and type in your exact Tampa Bay Area desired location to find a list of businesses that Google has already identified.

Craigslist—While it may seem a bit strange job hunting at a site where some people find dates, employers are having notable success there. You can subscribe to the Craigslist RSS feed (don’t know what that means? Then read this article on RSS for job search) for the Tampa Bay Area, and then sit back and wait to find opportunities that interest you.

Job Information, Delivered Daily—Hey, Google can track employers and opportunities for you, as well as develop a list of potential Tampa Bay Area employers for whom you’d like to work. Sign up for free Google Alerts (google.com/alerts) for jobs posted on specific organizations' Websites, or when related news about the employer is picked up by Google. Have the alerts sent to your personal e-mail address! Click to see Using Google Alerts article for tips and detailed information.

For more information on these and other ideas for targeting Tampa Bay Area jobs, please visit http://workforcetampa.com.