Premier Careers Insurance Jobs Counseling Resources

Many people go about job searches haphazardly, without a specific goal or plan that defines exactly what it is they are trying to accomplish. After developing a solid resume, formalize your job search by:

1) Analyzing what it is you really want to do next in your career,
2) Determining where you want to do this (geographically),
3) Identifying potential employers with positions that fit 1 & 2 above,
4) Determining their hiring needs, now and in the future by checking with HR,
5) Identifying hiring authorities at these prospective employers, and how you can contact them directly.

As your job search begins, get in the habit of keeping good records of whom you spoke with, when and a brief note summarizing your discussion. Being organized can help you follow-up on promising opportunities and closeout dead-ends. Keep in mind that a job search can be demanding and frustrating…..you must be resourceful and committed to staying the course, despite being ignored and rejected.

Consider using other tools in your search; today's hiring markets are vastly different from just three years ago. The Internet can be an incredible tool in a job search. If you don't know how to use it or have a PC for access to the Internet, find someone who can help you. There are thousands of job listings by locality, state and nationally on various job and career boards. You can also post your resume on some of these same websites for possible review by employers. Newspaper want ads can be helpful, but only about 5% to 7% of jobs are filled as a result of this option. Identify and secure copies of periodicals that may pertain to the industry in which you are interested; they often contain articles or employment ads. These can be found at the library or on the Internet.

Consider using a recruiter; there are thousands of recruiters across the country, most of whom specialize in certain employment areas or industries. The Executive Recruiters Handbook is available at most libraries and many recruiters are listed by their specialization's and geographically.

Networking can prove invaluable in a job search. Talking to other people is a great way to develop leads or contacts that can benefit your search. Determine if there are local clubs, associations or other types of organizations that are affiliated with your career field and attend their meetings. Some communities have employment roundtables for persons seeking jobs; these can also be helpful.

Sometimes, one needs to objectively evaluate their career by asking some key questions, namely, where am I now and what do I want to do, and how will I get there, etc. It can be very helpful to take stock in yourself and determine if you have the necessary education, experience, or skills required to help you move from Point A to Point B. If you determine that you are missing some key skills, you can evaluate what it might take to acquire them, whether it's education, job experience or some other factor. There are tools available that can assist you in this effort, namely tests or questionnaires from legitimate career and personal assessment organizations. Career counseling can also be of benefit in some instances, but you need to be careful when considering this option. Many firms will lighten your wallet but you may be very unhappy with the end result.

Premier Careers, Inc. can provide assistance to you by providing low cost assistance and career testing. This can be accomplished in person or over the phone and via the mail. It typically includes several tools that will assist you in identifying business skills and your specific areas of strength or ones requiring additional development. We will assist you; we make no promises about future employment like many "employment services" or "career counseling" firms which charge large fees. This is not the primary focus of our business, but we will assist individuals in those cases where we feel there can be some benefit. If you feel we can assist you, please contact us for more details.