Pinning down a job search strategy that works best for you is hard to do. Thankfully, the Internet has been infiltrated by a wide array of do-it-yourself (DIY) blog posts, many of them finding a home on Pinterest. Many of us probably have our own DIY boards that we pin to on a daily basis. We often find ourselves saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
This got me thinking: what about DIY for your job search? There are plenty of “projects” that job seekers do every day. So for all you DIY’ers, here are two projects to help you pin down your job search (Pinterest style!):
How To Make A Professional Portfolio
While online portfolios are definitely trendy and super convenient, the traditional professional portfolio still has a place in the world.
What you’ll need:
- A professional looking binder or scrapbook (Michaels or Office Depot are great places to look)
- Extra paper covers (try here)
- Resume paper (if on a budget, you can forgo this)
- Dividers
- Your best professional work
Directions:
- Organize your materials and work samples in an easy-to-read manner.
- Create a table of contents for your portfolio.
- Select only the best of your work, not everything you’ve ever done.
- Make several copies of your resume, statement of purpose, and references to put in each respective sleeve.
- Organize your portfolio. Remember that each page should have it’s own sleeve. It’s okay to use both sides though!
- Insert your dividers to make it easy for hiring managers to find what he or she is looking for quickly. These dividers should be the same as your table of contents.
- Put some of these samples on your online portfolio for additional viewing or offer additional copies of your best work.
How To Contact A New Networking Connection
What you’ll need:
- An email account or phone
- Your new contacts information
- An “in” to talk to them
- Prepared questions to ask
- An open mind
Directions:
- Explain how you got their information. In other words, use your “in” to talk to them.
- Introduce yourself and your current situation briefly.
- Summarize your background in one sentence. No more!
- End with a call to action (i.e., a meeting, a phone call, a job connection, a piece of advice) and flexible availability for this action.
- Do not mass email contacts. Do not expect a lot of anyone’s time. Be thankful and stay connected!
Want more DIY advice? Leave your ideas for more DIY job search projects in the comments section and we’ll write them!
