Robin McCraw

Web-based Training Developer

About a year ago, Robin McCraws manager invited her to a meeting to discuss their departments.

new organizational plan. Fifteen minutes later, Robin learned that she was among 8,000 displaced

employees.

Robins took two weeks to catch up on all the sleep shed missed by working 50 hours a week in

her dream job as Senior Global E-Learning Manager for a Fortune 25 company. Writing my resume reminded me how accomplished I was, and I was ready to go. I set productivity goals and made myself keep them, says Robin. I had decided to move so I looked for jobs online. In the beginning I spent about six hours a day, five days a week, online. I posted my resume on more than a dozen job sites and signed up for search alerts to find jobs that matched my qualifications. I knew employers wanted strong evidence of my technical skills and creativity, so I created a knockout, eight-page resume and an online portfolio.

Robin learned that a job search has a lot of moving parts. Job sites are an easy way to find leads and apply for jobs, but each application takes a long time. I have different versions of my resume and customize the cover letter for every job. I have a folder for each job: resume, letter, application, emails, and my notes before and after phone interviews.

Her search has taken more time than Robin expected. For some reason, the longer its gone on the less panicked I am. I am more selective about the openings I apply for. I want a job I love with people who are thrilled to work with me. After months of what she calls the big silence, Robin has five weeks to pack up her house and move across the country. I knew the right job was out there, she says.

1. Was Robin a good boss during her job search? What boss-like things did she do?

2. What are some of the moving parts in every job search?

3. What advice of Robins can you use in your job search?