Assessing Strategic Search Skills

Return to Professional Competencies Overview

Running a search for a rewarding, satisfying job involves more work than you might initially imagine, and is far less likely to end quickly and to your satisfaction if you simply surf the web for job openings or apply for positions you learn of through marquees on the road side. Below are the elements of an effective search.

Evaluate the strength of your search skills:

For each skill, use the slider to indicate a range of your skill strength between low and high. Try to give an honest and accurate assessment of your strength on each item. Those in italics are considered essential for mastery of this competency.

The closer to low your rating, the less accomplished the skill (e.g. incompletely, unsuccessfully, or never).

The closer to high your rating, the more you have accomplished the skill (e.g. completely, successfully, or every time).

Low	Rating	High	Search Skill Factors
			You have clarified the career goal you are searching for.
			You have researched the skills required by your goal and have acquired at least 80% of them.
			You have researched and identified key organizations where you would like to work.
			You have identified your selling points, that is, the aspects of your background that are distinctive and particularly well-suited to the field, and have developed an effective elevator pitch.
			You have ensured your brand (resume, online presence) showcases you effectively and positively.
			You have identified people with whom you can network.
			You have outlined a job search action plan.
			You take a diverse approach to your search that includes a balance of face time and electronic postings.
			You follow-up effectively with potential employers.
			You have realistic expectations in terms of what you are qualified to do and how long your search will take, and you treat your job search as if it were a full-time job.
			You balance your search with activities that you find refreshing.

Additional tips to build your strategic search skills:

Refer to the Career Center's Job Search Guide for further information about the job search process and for tips in approaching each step. Attend the Career Center's Job Search and Networking workshop.
Visit the Career Center for help in developing a Job Search Action Plan.
Seniors may ask the Career Center for an alumni mentor to provide ongoing advice and insight about the job search process in their chosen field.
Tell family and friends what you're looking for as clearly as possible so that they can help keep an eye out for possible options for you.
Put your research skills to work and find organizations that you would like to be a part of. Look them up on LinkedIn to see profiles of people they hire. Ask us to invite you to join our LinkedIn group, Hanover Career Alumni Network, which has over 1,000 Hanover alumni professionals who would like to help you.
Activate your NACElink account.