Seven Habits of Highly Successful Job Seekers

In the job search craze, there are those who land a job right away and those who struggle through the process of finding one for a longtime. ‘Luck’ is usually the response one hears from disenfranchised job seekers when they find out that their neighbor down the street was offered a position after only a two-week search. With many job seekers vying for only a few open positions, the truth is that ‘luck’ rarely has anything to do with it.

Realizing that their job search campaign doesn’t have to bea never-ending struggle, successful job seekers approach the process withpatience and persistence. If you want to be among the highly successful job seekers follow the seven steps outlined below.

1. Search with purpose

Instead of trying to fit into a mould set by a hiring organization, target companies that match your goals and career values; doing this will allows you to focus your energy into searching for a position that is a natural fit.

After all, you don't want to find yourself embarking on another search within a year's time because you made a decision in haste.

2. Always be prepared

Be ready for your day’s activities by 9 am. Opportunities rarely land on your lap and you have to be prepared for the surprises that maycome up during the day. You don’t want to be caught sleeping when someone calls to discuss an employment opportunity.

If you find yourself answering the phone like this:"hello? . . . well . . . um . . . well, like I was kinda sleeping. . . how long is this gonna take? . . . who are you again? . . . like I, um, contacted so many places, cuz, you know, like, I can't like find a job . . ." thenit is time to reprioritize your needs.

Waiting until things are about to get absolutely out of control before you begin aggressively looking for a position can be a costly mistake. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you are running low on resources and desperation is about to set in. This is when mistakes are made and your job search may begin to suffer.

3. Develop a job search plan

Organize your job search, map out a strategy, set priorities, and establish goals. The greatest source of confidence is knowledge and preparation. Begin your search with a clear focus and a plan.Participate in a number of activities including answering newspaper ads,posting your resume on the Internet, and going on informational interviews.

4. Bypass Human Resources

A human resources representative is also known as a“screener.” The screener’s job is to review resumes and match your experience with a checklist of requirements set forth by the hiring manager. If there are enough matches, the human resources representative forwards the resume to thedecision maker.

Unfortunately, not much is left to the screener’s interpretation. This is why most opportunities are lost – because the screener doesn’t have the luxury of making a decision based on instinct; he or she is instructed to follow the lead of the hiring manager.

Since the decision makers (e.g., National Sales Manager, Marketing Manager, or CEO) are the ones who determine who is ultimately hired, it is advisable that you apply directly to them.

5. Write follow-up letters

Well-written follow up letters can make a difference as to whether you get hired. A follow-up letter is more than a simple note thankingthe interviewer for his or her time. It should be a sophisticated letter that either re-affirms your interest in the position, serves as an opportunity to mention an important point you neglected to bring up, and/or provides an opportunity to offer new insight on a topic that was discussed during the interview.

6. Avoid toxic job seekers

Support systems (even those created by you) are a great way to generate ideas and for networking purposes. However, some are also a breeding ground for negativity. “There is no job in Nigeria now”. ‘Didn’t you hear of so many people who lost their jobs in XY company last month?”, You can’t get a job there unless you know somebody”. Are not what you should surround yourself with. Check those people around you, especially those you involve in your job search endeavors. Do they offer words of encouragement? Are they supportive of your efforts, or do they feed into your insecurities/negativities? Create a positively supporting system.

7. Be good to yourself

There are two types of job seekers. One that has a laid back approach, and the other that always feels "there aren’t enough hours in the day" and compulsively searches for a job without taking a breather.

Following in the footsteps of the latter is the fastest way to reaching burn out and when careless mistakes are often made. Though your job search should be your primary activity, don’t allow it to consume your every waking moment.

Every so often take a mini vacation; spend time with people who support you, listen to music and participate in activities you enjoy.Clearing your mind replenishes your energy and will allow you to continue searching for a job with a fresh outlook.