A Few Ideas from Dick Bolles

If you haven't had to job search in awhile, consider these effective job search strategies, adapted from Richard Bolles, best-selling author of What Color Is Your Parachute?:

• Let go of the past and get on with your future.


• Take time to inventory your strongest - and most preferred - skills.


• Believe that it is up to you to find another job - no one else can do it for you.


• Spend a minimum of 35 hours per week looking for work ... just as if job searching is your full-time job.


• Visit a minimum of 2-3 employers daily to submit your application/resume.


• Approach companies with 20 or fewer employees (that's where two-thirds of all jobs are).


• Check with any company that interests you, regardless of whether or not they have a current opening.


• Ask everyone you know for leads.


• Confine the label you put on yourself to: "I'm a person who's good at ...".


• Consider any job that will allow you to use your favorite skills.


• Get face-to-face with employers before submitting your resume/application.


• Research by book, Internet, and word of mouth any company you intend to visit or contact.


• Put together a support/accountability group with whom you report in.


• Collect success stories from successful job seekers to inspire you.

While we're on the subject of Richard Bolles, you may want to take a look at his superlative job search site:

• Dick's networking tips


• Where he suggests you find job leads


• His resume tips and tricks


• Dick's favorite employer research tools