My Skills, My Goals - The Targeted Job Search - Proven Job Search Strategies

Sep 13, 2026

A targeted job search requires recognizing common barriers and taking specific actions to overcome them, including working solo, underusing employment resources, lacking objectivity, and mismatches between skills and job requirements. The guide walks readers through setting accurate occupational goals, using self-assessment tools, and identifying industries and job functions. It also teaches how to craft an effective elevator pitch, build a targeted employer list, leverage networking and social platforms, and form a structured work team and daily job search plan. Readers are guided to record daily activities and track results using schedules, logs, and progress charts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResumes

FormatPDF

Pages88

Reading Time31 min

AccessFree to download

Common Barriers to Job Search Success

Five Proven Job Search Strategies

Know Yourself

Tools to Help Identify Your Occupational Goals

Create and Use an Effective Elevator Pitch

Create a Targeted Company List

Networking - Hidden Job Market

Use Your Networks

Job Search Work Teams

Create and Manage an Effective Job Search Plan

Record Daily Activities

Track Your Progress and Results

Example Job Search Activities

My Skills, My Goals – The Targeted Job Search An effective job search requires that you understand common barriers and take action to overcome them. Common Barriers to Job Search Success • Working Solo • Not Using Available Employment Resources • Lack of Objectivity • Limited Experience in Job Search Activities • Job Skills Mismatch • Low Interest in Performing Job Search Activities • Rejection and Discouragement Q: What are some your challenges for your job search? | Notes | | --- | | | | | Q: What will be your strategies to eliminate some of these barriers? | Notes | | --- | | | | | Five Proven Job Search Strategies • To hit your job target, your aim must be as accurate as possible. • Stating “I want a job” is not a well-defined goal. • To be successful with your job search, you must define the occupational goal, use proven strategies and prioritize your activities. Know Yourself Start by asking yourself some practical questions: What do I like doing? What am I good at doing? • Values • Marketable Skills • Work Experience • Education and Training • Relevant Accomplishments Tools to Help Identify Your Occupational Goals • Skills Assessment Inventories • Interest Profilers • Personality Assessments • Job Readiness Checklists • Workforce and Employment Agencies • Informational Interviews • Volunteering Q: Where do you find information about different industries, job titles and job functions etc.? | Notes | | --- | | | | | | | Create and Use an Effective Elevator Pitch To Create a Strong Elevator Pitch, Include the Following: – Your Name and Profession – Your Expertise – Types of Companies and Organizations – Your Unique Strengths and Key Skills – Desired Opportunity/Job – 30-60 seconds long Your elevator pitch should answer the questions: Who I am, What I do well, How I bring Value, and What I am looking for. Elevator Pitch Example 1 “I’m Chris Jordan, and I used to be a customer service team lead at Holiday Inn. I have 7 years of experience in providing exceptional customer service in the hospitality industry. I utilized my problem solving, planning, and leadership skills to ensure that my team consistently exceeded customer service and revenue goals by over 19%. In the last few years I’ve focused on using technology and social media to lower costs and improve the way that customer service is provided. In addition to my extensive business skills, I’m passionate about delivering outstanding customer service in order to provide the organization with a competitive advantage. I’d like to talk to you about how I can contribute to your organization.” Elevator Pitch Example 2 “Hi! I’m Grace Wilson and I’m interested in a Paralegal position because I have extensive knowledge of the legal process. I’m currently a Legal Secretary at Kirkland and Ellis, and over the past 7 years, I’ve developed expertise in trial preparation by performing legal research using Lexis-Nexis tofact-check information. I’ve participated in the discovery process for over 100 cases ensuring that attorneys received accurate and relevant information reducing the overall number of court visits. I’m proficient in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Clio, and DiscoveryIQ and would be a great fit fora Paralegal position because of my ability to prioritize tasks, sensitivity to confidential information, and interact effectively with attorneys. I’m looking for an opportunity with a firm that specializes in family law.” Create a Targeted Company List Identify specific employers where you are a good match. Here are the questions that you need to ask yourself when creating your target list. • How well do I match the position? • How well do I match the company’s mission/culture? • What kind of industry to I prefer? • What location or size do I prefer? It’s a numbers game – so aim for 30-50 companies! Networking – Hidden Job Market! Networking is als

FAQs

What are common barriers that reduce job search success?

Common barriers include working solo, not using available employment resources, lack of objectivity, limited job-search experience, skills mismatches, low interest in performing job search activities, and rejection and discouragement.

How can I define a targeted occupational goal for a successful job search?

Avoid broad statements like “I want a job.” Define the occupational goal precisely, use proven strategies, and prioritize activities to align actions with the job target.

What should an effective elevator pitch include?

An elevator pitch should include your name and profession, your expertise, types of companies/organizations, unique strengths and key skills, the desired opportunity/job, and be 30–60 seconds long. It should answer who you are, what you do well, the value you bring, and what you are looking for.

Sep 13, 2026

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