Bob Nealon presented 20 effective job search strategies, emphasizing that networking is the most effective strategy as over 80% of people get jobs through others. Some key strategies included targeting specific companies and decision makers, utilizing staffing agencies and employee referral programs, attending job fairs, volunteering in the community, and considering non-traditional employment terms. Nealon also stressed developing a strong online presence on LinkedIn and maintaining campus resources like the career center for job searching assistance and internship opportunities.

1. Presented by Bob Nealon, Career Coach
North Campus Career Center
Utilizing Effective Job Search Methods

2. Did you know….
Source: U.S. News and World Report
Less than 15 % of jobs are filled through job boards like
CareerBuilder, Monster, and other career sites.

3. Job Searching….
Is not easy!

4. Job Search success depends on…
• Good Job Searching Plan (Macro plan and micro (daily) plan)
• Good Résumé
• Good Efforts (working hard at it)
• Average Job Seeker invests only 70 minutes a day looking for a job
Source: Brookings.edu

5. Please, please, please…
• Treat your job search campaign like a full-time job (put a full-time
effort into your quest to obtain a full-time job; 40+ hours a week)

6. Effective Job Search Strategies
1. Networking is the most effective job search strategies (over
80% of people get their job through the help of others). You need
others to assist you to get your next job. Engage those you know
and get to know others.

7. Strategy # 2
2. Answer advertisements in the newspaper, out of town
newspapers, trade journals, and newsletters.
• Send all correspondence to qualified advertisements
(employer’s name is identified) to HR (process people) and to
the decision maker – Double Hit)

8. Strategy # 2 (cont’d)

9. Strategy # 3
3. Respond to job posted on company websites and follow all
directions.
• HR professionals will likely dismiss any applications that are
incomplete or the candidate does not follow all of the posted
instructions. Don’t waste your time applying if you are not going
to follow their instructions.

10. Strategy # 4
4. Respond to jobs posted on job boards and follow all directions.
Apply to qualified job postings (employer’s name is identified).
Utilize the Double Hit approach.

11. Strategy # 5
5. Utilize staffing agencies.
• Have realistic expectations. Staffing agencies work for their
clients, not you as a candidate. However, these organizations
need candidates to promote to clients so it can be a winner for all
three parties involved. The clients pay them, not the candidate.

12. Strategy # 6
6. Target market to a specific company and decision maker –
forwarding your résumé and cover letter written specifically to the
reader based on your research of the company. Use keywords of
the company and industry.
• Don’t wait for the company to post jobs on their website or
through a job board as they may not always post their jobs. Be
proactive to target companies you’d like to work for. Odds are
they are hiring or will be in the near future.

13. Strategy # 7
7. Respond to “opportunity” letters.
• Keep the door open with a targeted company even after you
receive a rejection letter after the interview.

14. Strategy # 8
8. Cold call (tele-market) to a targeted list of companies and/or
contacts.
• This is a quick way to leave a favorable impression while
determining whether or not a company is hiring at the present
time.
• Practice your presentation (20 second script)
• If the company is not hiring, ask them if they have plans to
hire in the near future. If you still get a “no”, you might
consider asking them if they know of any other companies
that might be hiring.

15. Strategy # 9
9. Visit an employer without an appointment, read internal job
listings, fill out applications, collect information, business cards,
drop off a résumé market for a specific decision maker; leave and
follow up.
Benefits of this strategy:
• This strategy puts a face with your “data”.
• You can ask humbly and kindly for advice.
• You can acquire information that you otherwise would likely not
be able to get.
• Takes courage.

16. Strategy # 10
10. Employee Referral Incentive Programs; ask your working
connections, friends, family members, and others if their company
has an employee referral program. If so, ask them if they would
be able to walk your résumé inside their company either to HR
and/or a decision maker.
• Many companies prefer to hire through their staff. In many cases,
they reward their staff for successful referrals.

17. Strategy # 11
11. Read business sections of newspapers looking for information
like: people on the move, awarded contracts, new company
announcements, things to do, corporate notes, company profiles,
individual stories and respond accordingly.
• South Florida Business Journal (good local resource)
• Offer complimentary 4 week subscription – inquire with the
SFBJ; visit library.
• http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/promo/southflorida
trial
• 866-853-3661
• Local newspapers, magazines, online articles

18. Strategy # 12
12. Use Social media in your job search. Over 80% of employers
utilize social media, especially LinkedIn, to source talent or find
out more about the talent who has applied for a position. Have a
strong social media presence.
• Start your own blog to promote your expertise.

19. Strategy # 13
13. Volunteer in the community (at community events, business
groups, and fundraising opportunities).
• Hands On Broward (www.handsonbroward.org)
• Anywhere in community
Benefits of this strategy:
• Builds your network.
• Builds your relevance and reputation.
• Puts you in front of other winners and community leaders.

20. Strategy # 14
14. Work for free, on probation, shadow others in their job.

21. Strategy # 15
15. Consider non-traditional employment terms.
• Part-Time,Temporary, Projects, Contract Assignments, 1099,
etc.
• Enter the employer on their terms, not yours.

22. Strategy # 16
16. Attend job fairs, trade shows, conferences, business expos.
• Great way to meet with employers who are hiring.
• Be proactive in your follow-up with employers.

23. Strategy # 17
17. Become a member of a professional association/organization.
• Great way to establish a network in your field.
• Have access to job banks.

24. Strategy # 18
18. Participate in Internship EDGE.
• Investigate the Internship EDGE program. Internships are
great ways to get experience, build your resume, and test out
the field.
• http://www.broward.edu/studentresources/career/Pages/inte
rnships.aspx

25. Strategy # 19
19. Utilize other campus and community resources.
• North Campus Career Center
• CareerSource Broward

26. Strategy # 20
20. Start your own small business, enterprise, or pursue self-
employment (contractor, freelancer).
• Small BusinessAdministration (SBA)
• Service Corporation of Retired Executives (SCORE)
• Broward County Office of Economic and Small
Business Development (OESBD) (broward.org)
• Others

27. Reminder:
Broward College Resources
• Your North Campus Career Center Staff
• ResumeWriting, Interviewing, Job Search
Strategy, and more
• AssessmentTools including Career Coach and FOCUS 2
• Internship EDGE
• Student job bank @ www.broward.edu/ccn

28. Questions?

29. Contact me for an
appointment
My Contact Information:
Bob Nealon
Career Coach Specialist
Broward College – North Campus
Building 46, Room 238 (Career Center)
Phone: (954) 201-2270
E-Mail: RNealon@broward.edu
Connect with me through LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/in/BobNealon

30. Thank you for attending!