13 Essential Steps to a Successful Job Search and Interview

Many of my clients do not feel comfortable talking about themselves, let alone bragging about their accomplishments in an interview. Being the center of attention is not everyone’s cup of tea. But the truth is that nobody will know how talented you are until you tell them or show them.

Today’s job market is very competitive and there are so many rules to the job-hunting game such as: does your resume match the job posting, how many applications or resumes did you send out this week, or did you send a thank you letter after that last interview – and that’s not the end of it? All of this can be so overwhelming for job seekers. It can be a full-time job looking for a job, but persistence and patience are crucial to your success.

So, take a deep breath and we’ll review 13 helpful steps to get your ready for the job-hunting and interview process. Before you become the “Star of the Interview,” you need to set the stage.

Step 1: Soul Searching – What do you really want? 

1. Ask yourself “what are my intentions for this job search?” and “by when do I want or need to have a job?”
2. Really focus on the things you want: more pay, work and life balance, a different career, or maybe you really just need a job.
3. If you need more help, schedule a session with a career coach.  A career coach can help you:

• Discover, clarify, and align a vision for success.
• Learn attitudes and habits that help you thrive.
• Set realistic and measurable goals with creative solutions.
• Be held accountable by a trained Executive Coach.

Step 2: What are Your Strengths?

Has anybody ever told you, “You are so great at {fill in the blank}, you should be doing {fill in the blank} for a living”?  What are your strengths? If you don’t know, take a free online assessment called VIA Survey of Character Strengths.

Step 3: Write it all Down – Everything!

For those of you who dread writing or journaling, I’m so sorry for this step. However, it will save you so much time in long run. So what should you write about? In no particular format, include the following information:

1. All of your work experience: dates, salaries, supervisors’ names, locations, and contact information.
2. Job descriptions for each of your previous positions. (If you need help with this, please visit this free website called O*Net Online. It’s a cool website that was created for military soldiers transitioning into the civilian workforce. It has job descriptions for most positions.)
3. List 3-6 work related references, include their names, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, employers, and job titles.
4. List out your skills and strengths.
   • Some examples of skills: web designer, project management, baker, candlestick maker, etc.
   • Some examples of strengths: strong work ethic, excellent communicator, team player, etc.

Step 4: Start Looking for Your Job in Shining Armor

There are so many job search websites; here are a few of the websites I trust to refer to my clients:

1. Indeed is like a one-stop shop for your job search.
2. LinkedIn is helpful in networking and applying for jobs.
3. USA Jobs has hundreds of government jobs across the country.
4. Texas Workforce Commission has hundreds of positions across Texas.

Step 5: Are You a Match?

Read the job descriptions carefully. Do not be intimidated by jargon or fancy language. Remember that you are talented and your skills are transferable. Take some risks and apply for positions that match your strengths. Save all your job search postings so you can refer back to them when you get a call for an interview.

Step 6: Using their Words in Your Resume

Remember that employers get hundreds of resumes or applications per position, tailoring your resume toward each position will increase your chances of getting an interview. The art of resume writing is always changing and many people have their opinions of what a resume should include.

Here are some tips for resume writing that have helped my clients:

1. Create a two-page resume and cover letter, only include the last 8 years of your work experience.
2. Include the following topics: summary of qualifications, skills, education, work experience, other experience, computer skills, and volunteer/award experience (optional).
3. Tailor your resume for each position using the keywords in the job posting.
4. Proofread your resume and cover letter thoroughly.
5. If you need more help, here are some books that I recommend:
   1. “What Color is Your Parachute?” by Richard Nelson Bolles
   2. “Knock ‘Em Dead Resumes” by Martin Yate, CPC
   3. “Federal Resume Guidebook” by Kathryn Kraemer Troutman

Research jobs, tailor your resume to each job posting and apply – do this over and over again. Do not be afraid of rejection letters, just key moving. If something is not working, fix it and keep moving. The key is to keep moving. Set a goal for yourself, for example: you will apply for {enter number} jobs per week (preferably more than 6).

Step 8: Put Yourself Out There and Network

You know so many people, get out there and talk to them. Practice your 30-second elevator speech describing who you are, what you are great at, and your ideal position.

Step 9: You Got an Interview!

Finally, you got a phone call or e-mail. You got an interview! Write down all of the interview details: time, date, location, phone number, contact person, and interviewers’ names.

Step 10: The Pre-Interview – Practice, Practice, Practice

Get your job posting, resume, and list of skills/strengths. Here are some interview questions that you can practice prior to your interview:

1. What is your experience with {example position: project management}?
2. What are your strengths and weakness?
3. How would your last boss describe you?
4. How do you deal with a stressful and busy work environment?
5. How did you prioritize your time?
6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
7. Describe your ideal boss?
8. Why should we hire you?

Step 11: The Interview

Be on time, dress appropriately, be polite, bring several copies of your resume and cover letter, and have your thank you letter already written. During the interview:

• Listen to the question, ask them to repeat it if necessary.
• Silently think about the question for at least 30 seconds.
• Answer the question with your previous work experience, the tasks involved, your actions, and the end result.

In the end, have a list of questions for the interviewers that are personal to you. A really important question to ask is: “when will you make a final decision about the candidate?” Then ask each interviewer for their business cards or contact information. Send each interviewer a thank you letter via e-mail or card, no later than 24 hours after the interview.

Step 12: Waiting and Waiting, Should You Call Them?

If you asked the question, “when will you make a final decision about the candidate?”, then you should be able to gauge how much time their interviewers need to finish interviews and make a final decision. If you haven’t heard anything within the estimated time frame, then reach out to the contact person or the interviewers. In your communication with the company, let them know that you are still interested in the position and you would like to know if they have made a final decision about the candidate.

Step 13: The Offer

You made it to the end of this process. Congratulations! Now, get ready to negotiate your salary, benefits, and schedule. Go back to your list of “what do you really want?” Be confident and be honest.

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