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you want. Anyone and everyone can spread the word that you are—or will be—
searching for a new position. Whether it’s passing along your resume, providing
a referral or simply keeping you in mind should an opportunity arise to mention
your name, there’s something for everyone to do! As soon as you know you’ll be
looking, draft your list. Begin with the names of friends and family. To that, add
current work contacts, previous employers, co-workers, fellow alumni, and so on.
Always carry index cards for jotting down names, phone numbers, and e-mail ad-
dresses of those who are willing to offer assistance—you never know whom you’ll
meet so be prepared. Print up “business cards” to distribute at opportune
moments; these should provide your name, e-mail address, address, and phone
number(s) along with a very brief description of the type of position you seek.
Seize every opportunity to network—including holidays, conventions, weddings,
and reunions when you’re likely to encounter people you don’t see regularly.

FOLLOW UP RIGOROUSLY
In any jobhunting environment—but especially in a tough one—following up
after an interview is imperative. It’s a safe bet that most people don’t write
after an interview, and if they do, they
RECRUITER’S TIP
dash off predictable, trite letters that do
MONEY MAKES THE nothing to remind the interviewer how
WORLD GO ‘ROUND...AND singularly qualified they are for the posi-
YOUR HEAD SPIN tions they desire. So you must never fail
to write a strong, well-planned follow-
Conventional wisdom says that up letter. You must also follow through
the person who mentions the with thank-you notes to anyone who
first figure will ultimately lose in offered help and referrals or served as a
salary negotiation. So what do reference. In a tough market, the number
you do when an ad warns “seri- of interviews you have may be limited.
ous candidates will provide cur- That means you’ll have more time
rent salary and requirements”? between them, and that deprives you of
Do some digging. Use the Inter- any excuse for not writing! This is par-
net to research salaries for simi- ticularly true since e-mail can make fol-
lar positions in your area. In- lowing up quicker and simpler. Once
clude benefits and bonuses to your search is over (and it will be!) be
increase your salary. Provide a certain to inform and thank all those who
salary range to avoid overpric- offered encouragement, contacts, sup-
ing yourself. The Issue Index port, and even those who were willing to
lists letters in this book with help but didn’t, for whatever reason.
sample language you can use. You never know when your next job
search may begin.

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