Resources

How to Get the Job

Job Hunting 101

Self Assessment
Networking
Direct Channel
Responding to Ads
Submit Resume

Overview
Here is a way to look at your job search, as a 4 stage process:

Self- Assessment	Job Search Campaigns	Offers & Negotiations	End of Hunt
Decide your positioning:	Pick target companies
•what your strengths are •what you want to do •what you can offer to companies	•Target #1 •Target #2 •Target #3	Meet with people in the target companies	You accept a job offer
		•Explore possibilities and current or future openings

Self-Assessment
Since you've been involved with NACTEL, you've already made a choice to be connected with technician work in telecommunications and related industries. But there are still choices to be made.

First, it's probably time to again ask yourself these questions:

What do you like to do, what are you best at?
Do you prefer working with your hands or working on more intellectual tasks?
When are you the happiest, in what type of environment?
Do you like working out-of-doors or prefer an office setting?

Go back and review the Telecom Tech portion of the NACTEL site to see the options available to you. Check out the Telecom Tech Job Chart, which includes descriptions (salaries, requirements, etc.) of the following major job categories:

Line/Station Installers and Repairers

Cable Splicing Technicians

Complex/Special Services Installers and Repairers

Switching and Transport Installers and Repairers

Meet the Techs that are employed in those positions to get a good picture of what they do each day on the job. Then, put together your Resume so you can get started with your Job Search.

Job Search Campaigns
A job target consists of 4 elements:

industry
employer - position or function
geographic location

Brainstorm as many job targets as possible because, in the current economy, you may need backup targets in case certain ones don't work out.

Consider:

Traditional telecom companies such as the NACTEL partners,
Smaller or regional companies,
Telecom contractors,
Cable or internet companies.

Sources of information on jobs and companies:

Public library
Internet
Telecom and cable associations and publications
Union listings (either local or national, including union web sites)
Every telecom and cable company must register with a state commission (Public Utilities Commission, for example) Get the list from your state.
U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook on Telecommunication Technicians http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos188.htm
U.S. Department of Labor Career guide to Industries - Telecommunications http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs020.htm

Telecommunications may be your primary target industry but you should also assess secondary targets. For example, you could be a technician in the telecommunications department of a large company with a LAN (local area network). Then determine what kind of industry and company is likely to have a LAN, such as those with multiple locations, divisions, or retail outlets. This industry could then be your secondary target industry.

Once you've identified your top target jobs within each industry, then contact each target company through the following main search channels:

Networking. This is a great way for you to learn more about your target industry or company and to build relationships. Get leads from friends, co-workers, family members, union members, your church group, PTA, etc. and contact people at the target companies informally. Find out:
- what issues the company is facing
- what jobs may be opening up (now or in the near future)
- what skills are (or will be) needed; and
- where you might fit in
The networking meeting is similar to an Interview, so check out Ace the Interview for tips, and be sure to Follow-up afterward.
Direct contact. Write to companies directly without necessarily knowing someone at the company.
1. Research to find the best person within the company for you to contact - preferably a manager or director in the department you wish to work (i.e. the head of the Network Technician group).
2. Contact Human Resources within Telecommunications companies only as a last resort. [You want to learn about the company and opportunities, not be put into a bucket with all the other candidates.]
Your cover letter should catch the attention of the reader and tell them why they should talk to you and how you can meet their needs. With your Pace Telecom degree, you are valuable to them. You have the ability and knowledge to learn the job quickly and move up the learning curve faster.
Responding to ads. Responding to ads (online and in print) may be the least effective way to find a job, however, it is still worth a try. Check the Job Search Links for companies that periodically post jobs on their websites.

Write your cover letter to address the job requirements directly. For example, you can list "Job Requirements" as a left column and "My Qualifications" as a right column. This format helps the reader see how closely your background fits their needs. (This letter would have to be faxed or mailed rather than emailed in order to keep the format of the letter.)
Submit your resume. Most employers allow you to submit your resume on their website, even if there are no positions at the time. Some sites allow you to establish job search agents that will notify you when there is an opening that fits your criteria.

Many job search sites (such as Monster.com or TradeJobsOnline.com) allow you to post your resume on their sites. That way an employer can search by keyword so make sure your resume is well-written.

For all four channels (networking, direct contact, responding to ads and direct resume placement), always be sure to follow up.

Resources:
Monster.com

Also:
Wendleton, Kate: Through the Brick Wall
Wendleton, Kate: Job-Search Secrets That Have Helped Thousands of Members.