If you are looking for a job, this checklist will help you to get started and stay on track.

1. Identify your interests, skills, and values. Even if you don't have much work experience, you do have skills that are valuable in the work place! Do a self-assessment.
   
   
2. Target your job search quite specifically. You are more likely to find a job if you know what you want and go after it (as opposed to blindly sending resumes everywhere). Your interests and values as well as your skills will help you to define your "target."
   
   For example, if you have clerical skills, don't look for just any clerical job. Decide what type of clerical work you enjoy most, what kind of environment you want to work in (large organization, small office), etc. If you like telephone work and medicine interests you, look for a receptionist position in a medical office, hospital or health clinic.
   
   
3. Use as many methods of finding job openings as you can: networking; talking directly with employers; newspaper ads, job postings on community notice-boards and at union halls, employment offices, placement agencies, and in windows of businesses; and listening/watching for media announcements about new projects.
   
   
4. Set up a job search schedule. If you are still employed, decide what you will do and when. If you are unemployed, start working on your job search as early as you can each day and expect to spend several hours every day at it.
   
   Decide what time and how much time to spend expanding your network of contacts, interviewing employers, reading ads, etc. Schedule tasks so you change from one type of task to another regularly (e.g. telephoning contracts to reading newspaper ads to researching at the library).
   
   
5. Write and then rewrite your resume until it is the best it can be!
   
   
6. Apply for jobs in a manner requested by employers. Some may ask that you send your resume with a covering letter, others will require you to fill out application forms they provide. Some will ask for your resume to be submitted via fax or email.
   
   
7. Prepare for job interviews. Find out as much as you can about each job you get an interview for. Brush up on your interview skills. Develop impressive answers to difficult questions.
   
   
8. Try to maintain a positive attitude (even when you feel rejected). Don't give up!
   
   
9. Carefully consider any job offer before you accept it. Will you be satisfied with the work, the working conditions, the pay and benefits? If not, keep looking - unless you are desperate and expect to continue looking for another job anyway.
   
   
10. When you start a new job finally, give yourself time to adjust to your new position. Everyone who starts a new job feels a little "green" and has things to learn. It takes time to become familiar with new duties and company policies, and to develop solid working relationships with your boss and co-workers.

Copyright 1998 Province of Alberta Advanced Education and Career Development. Used with permission.