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Smallest Parts of a Job Search Often Produce the Biggest Results

Most of your helpful job search leads (80% or more) will come from just a few (20% or less) of your contacts, so expanding your base of contacts as much as possible – and then identifying those critical people – should be top job-hunting priorities. 

The 80-20 rule, known in economics as the Pareto Principle (named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto), has been applied to many management and business situations: 80% of staff is responsible for 20% of sales and productivity; 80% of sales (and complaints) come from 20% of customers; 80% of the time spent on a project normally completes just 20% of the job – usually the first and the final 10%. 

This also has important job-search implications, according to ClearRock: 

  • Most (80% or more) job search leads will come from a few (20% or less) contacts
  • Most job-search contacts should be made through face-to-face meetings
  • Most (80% or more) of your job search strategy should concentrate on networking
  • Most attention prospective employers give to your resume will be focused on the first 20%
  • Most of your interviewing strategy should be devoted to the first 20% of the interview
  • At least 20% of your time while employed should be dedicated to maintaining your career network through personal meetings, professional and trade groups, telephone calls and emails. This will, in turn, produce 80% of future results.

One of trickiest parts is to determine who your most effective job-search contacts are – and then not wear out your welcome with them. Be sensitive to how often you are contacting them, and their reactions. You want them to continue to be helpful. 

Networking is the most important part of a successful job search. So, expand your network as broadly as possible, improve its quality through as many personal meetings as you can manage – and then maintain it while you are employed. Part of this time should be spent being a career resource to your networking contacts, too. 

Potential employers will be paying the most attention to the first part – the first 20% – of resumes and job interviews, so that is where job-seekers should focus the majority of their efforts on these. 

Resumes should start with a brief opening statement, consisting of one or two sentences that summarize your experience. Immediately following, each of your individual core competencies – skills, abilities, and accomplishments – should be introduced with an attention-getting word or two, and then described in detail. 

Dedicate the biggest percentage of your job interviewing preparation to the part that will matter most – the first few minutes. Dress at least one level above the position for which you are interviewing, and concentrate on creating the best first impression you can. Have a ‘two-minute drill’ prepared that succinctly summarizes who you are, where you’ve been, what you have accomplished that is relevant to this particular position, and – most importantly – what you can achieve for this prospective employer.

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