Katherine Burik - The Job Seeker Manifesto: The Job Search Marketing Plan

Job Talk Press,

4911 LeighAvenue NW,

Canton, OH 44709

Print ISBN: 978-0-9893787-2-7

Adobe PDF: 978-0-9893787-1-0

ePUB: 978-0-9893787-0-3

Copyright 2013 by Job Talk Press, an Imprint of The Interview Doctor

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owners and publisher of this book.

Although the authors and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Materials provided AS IS; no representations or warranties provided. User assumes all responsibility for use, and all liability related thereto, and must independently review all materials for accuracy and efficacy.

Cover Design and Illustration by: Little Pond Creative

Book Design by Martha Fewell

Development Editing by Siddique Qureshi

Final Editing by Martha Fewell

Book Production by Bookmasters Inc

DEDICATION Katherine Burik

Writing a book is a new experience for me. I like it! I like organizing my thoughts around a subject I love in a way I hope you will understand.

Many people supported this effort. My husband Kermit put up with my energy and focus on something other than him. My kids Marissa, Dan, and Brett let me practice on them. My sister Martha was willing to try something new. My coach, mentor, and friend Sherry Greenleaf pushes me at the right time. My partner Dan Toussant is the best business partner I could ever ask for.

Carolyn James was the original Interview Doctor and a great friend and mentor. As a recruiter, many great and awful candidates passed through her doors. She tried to help each one. Some needed more help than others so she passed them along to me for the professional coaching that allowed candidates to shine. Thank you Carolyn!

DEDICATION Dan Toussant

To Nan and Jeff, thanks for the introduction. The Interview Doctor partnership Katherine and I offer people wanting to make a job change or career change has been a real gift to both of us, and only possible because of you.

For all the candidates we have coached through the Interview Doctor, thanks for sharing your career planning and job-seeking challenges. Coaching is a teaching business, and when you teach, you learn at a deeper level; what we share in this book and the others to follow, we know when it comes to job seeking: this is what works best.

And, to all of my family, especially Colleen, thanks for your strong support and your reliable love.

About This Series and How to Read This Book

Finding a new job can be hard. It can also be a rewarding and enlightening experience. Depends on how you approach the search.

After talking to many candidates at The Interview Doctor and in our previous lives as human resource executives and recruiters in corporate America, we know candidates have some of the same problems.

We have some tricks that can help.

The trick to a successful job search is to have a plan to distinguish yourself from other candidates. You have to be able to explain who you are or what you have to offer. No one can figure that out for you. But most candidates have absolutely no idea where to begin.

The series The Job Seeker Manifesto offers a step-by-step strategic approach to finding a job including many tricks we learned through extensive experience throughout our careers. All the stories we share are true, reflecting real job seekers we worked with through The Interview Doctor.

If you see yourself in these pages, it is because many people have similar problems finding a job. We changed the names to protect our clients privacy.

This is the first book in a five book series digging deep into five areas of job search, starting with 1) creating a strategic plan, then 2) creating the tools necessary to display your talents including resumes and your LinkedIn profile, 3) strategically designing how you describe yourself starting with the critical question, tell me about yourself, 4) interviewing smartly, and finally 5) closing the deal.

Pick the topic or two that address your particular issue or read the entire series, depending on your specific needs and interests.

This first book lays the groundwork for your job search. Every big adventure begins with a plan. So start your job search by creating a plan that reflects what you want and what you will do every day, week and month.

Write in the margins. Take notes. Create worksheets. Challenge yourself to understand what you want then go after your dream.

Use these books to give yourself a head start over other candidates and find the job you love.

A manifesto is a declaration, a statement, a philosophy about what you intend. Every job search starts with a declaration of what you want and why you should have what you want. You must understand what makes you uniquely suited for the job you want. Your manifesto provides a unique approach to your job search reflected in your job search marketing plan, the tools you choose, and the way you choose to describe yourself to others.

First, you need a Job Search Marketing Plan to outline the core elements of your job search. By putting energy and thought into a plan in the beginning, you can focus on how to get what you want during your search.

A solid Job Search Marketing Plan has five steps:

Explore: Define the jobs that fit you and your career goals and interests.

Define: Know who you are and what you bring to the table. Figure out what you want in your next job, the type of work, the type of environment, preferred industries, where that job will be located, and size of the company.

Network: Seek out and connect with people who can help you get what you want.

Refine and Articulate: Know what you want people to know about yourself.

Conclude: Get what you want

This book covers the concepts of Explore, Define, and Network. Future books will explore concepts in Refine and Articulate; including the tools you need during your job search and how to win at interviews.

The techniques we offer can apply to young and old, professional and laborer, executive and office worker. The trick is making a plan that works for you, understanding who you are and what you have to offer, then working the plan until you get what you want. The principles are simple. But it is hard work. Your results are based on the effort you put in. We know it works.

Lets get started.