What's the First Step in a Job Search?

By Marcelle Yeager

First step: Narrow your targets.

How do you answer when someone asks you what kind of job you're looking for? It can be tempting to say you're open to a wide range of positions, industries, companies and organizations. Maybe you are, but this is unlikely to help you land a job quickly. The wider you cast your net, the more unclear and clouded your message becomes. It will show in your online presentation, résumés, cover letters and interviews.

It will be hard to sell yourself to a prospective employer or a new professional contact if you cannot narrow your scope. This is not something you can determine overnight, but these exercises will help you hone in on what your skills and interests are and where you can apply them most effectively.