How Can He Market Himself?

Developing a job-search plan — and then sticking to it — is crucial to the ultimate success of all your job-hunting activities. A detailed job-search plan basically comes down to a 10-step process:

Step 1: Make the Time/Emotional/Planning Commitment. Job-hunting is work, and you need to make the commitment to accomplish some job-search activity daily.

Step 2: Self-Reflection/Assessment. Take the time at the beginning of your plan to reflect on your strengths and interests. Focus on activities you enjoy doing.

Step 3: Research Potential Careers, Jobs, Employers. Information is power, so take the time to research career and job information, especially if changing careers, as well as to gather information on prospective employers.

Step 4: Develop a Self-Enhancement Action Plan. You may need to get further education or training to make the jump you want to make; now is the time to plan for it.

Step 5: For New Grads or Career-Changers, Get Experience. All employers want experience, so if you are new to a career field, get experience first through internships, volunteering, or part-time employment.

Step 6: Prepare a Balanced Job-Search Strategy. The majority of jobs are filled through networking, so place most of your energies there, but don’t ignore the many other traditional and online methods of job-hunting.

Step 7: Hone Key Job-Search Marketing Tools/Skills. Your key job-search tools are your cover letter, resume, and interviewing skills. Be sure to have these tools as polished as possible.

Step 8: Never Stop Following-Up. Continue to show your interest in employers by contacting them about the progress of the job-search. Just don’t cross the line to annoying.

Step 9: Make Adjustments, As Needed. Things change in life, and you may need to make adjustments to your plan along the way. Be flexible.

Step 10: Do All the Little Things. It’s the little things in job-hunting that are remembered, such as thank-you notes and other common courtesy. Stand out from the crowd.