Moving to the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex? Get your answers and make your buying decisions easy by using our resource guide.
| Trailing Spouses |
Networking — Virtually and In Person
In this digital age, face-to-face networking seems to have fallen by the wayside but studies indicate that more jobs are found through referrals then through online job searches. To network, job seekers should contact everyone they know in their professional life. Job seekers should be prepared to explain quickly about their skills and recent experience. Commonly referred to as the “15-second elevator speech,” being prepared with this speech can make a big difference. To learn more, visit www.15secondpitch.com, where you can discover ways to focus your thinking on what is most important.
Another useful online tool that has become essential to networkers and job seekers is to join LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com), an online network of more than 25 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries. By staying linked in with your professional network, you’re always connected to people who may know of open positions or know of a contact at a company you might be interested in approaching. It’s about being more effective in your daily work and opening doors to opportunities using the professional relationships you already have.
Employment Resources
As a trailing spouse, you may find that your partner’s employer can offer you relocation assistance including job finding services. Before you move, contact your partner’s Human Resource (HR) Department to see if these services are available. Often, it is most advantageous to contact the HR Department in Dallas, as the local personnel may know more about the local job market. Also be sure to conduct your own preliminary research. Use the Internet to search for industries of interest and corresponding companies based in Dallas. Visit national websites and search for jobs in the Dallas area. Here is a selection of online resources:
Once you have arrived in Dallas, take full advantage of local employment resources. Gather local newspapers and search through the classified ads. Visit area personnel and staffing agencies. Use networking to your advantage. Talk to people in the community and in your neighborhood. Visit your city’s Chamber of Commerce. Attend professional development association meetings to mix and mingle with industry contacts. Dallas/Fort Worth is home to many local chapters of professional associations, including the following:
OPTIMIZING YOUR RÉSUMÉ
Not so long ago, résumés were printed on quality paper and presented in an envelope to potential employers. While it still is a job seeker’s most important sales tool, the rules of the résumé game have changed. Yes, it’s still critical that you create a quality and accurate document that emphasizes your skills and experience and that you customize each cover letter you send. What has changed is you’re not longer presenting a résumé appealing to the human eye, now it needs to be computer optimized using important key words.
In this digital age, face-to-face networking seems to have fallen by the wayside but studies indicate that more jobs are found through referrals then through online job searches. To network, job seekers should contact everyone they know in their professional life. Job seekers should be prepared to explain quickly about their skills and recent experience. Commonly referred to as the “15-second elevator speech,” being prepared with this speech can make a big difference. To learn more, visit www.15secondpitch.com, where you can discover ways to focus your thinking on what is most important.
Another useful online tool that has become essential to networkers and job seekers is to join LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com), an online network of more than 25 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries. By staying linked in with your professional network, you’re always connected to people who may know of open positions or know of a contact at a company you might be interested in approaching. It’s about being more effective in your daily work and opening doors to opportunities using the professional relationships you already have.
Employment Resources
As a trailing spouse, you may find that your partner’s employer can offer you relocation assistance including job finding services. Before you move, contact your partner’s Human Resource (HR) Department to see if these services are available. Often, it is most advantageous to contact the HR Department in Dallas, as the local personnel may know more about the local job market. Also be sure to conduct your own preliminary research. Use the Internet to search for industries of interest and corresponding companies based in Dallas. Visit national websites and search for jobs in the Dallas area. Here is a selection of online resources:
- Academic360.com: Jobs in Higher Education – guide for the academic job hunter (www.academic360.com)
- Careers in Government: A clearinghouse of information, resources and jobs available in public sector organizations in America and abroad (www.careersingovernment.com)
- Dallas Business Journal: Job seekers can view jobs in 27 categories. Each year, the Dallas Business Journal publishes its Book of Lists, which includes comprehensive lists of major companies in Dallas by business category (http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/jobs/)
- Employment Guide.com: Offers searchable job listings, free resume posting and email notification of new openings (www.employmentguide.com)
- Texas Workforce Commission: Offers career development information, job search resources, training programs, and, as appropriate, unemployment benefits (www.workintexas.com)
Once you have arrived in Dallas, take full advantage of local employment resources. Gather local newspapers and search through the classified ads. Visit area personnel and staffing agencies. Use networking to your advantage. Talk to people in the community and in your neighborhood. Visit your city’s Chamber of Commerce. Attend professional development association meetings to mix and mingle with industry contacts. Dallas/Fort Worth is home to many local chapters of professional associations, including the following:
- American Marketing Association, Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter - www.dfwama.com
- Dallas Business Association - www.dallasbusiness.org
- Dallas Human Resources Management Association - www.dallashr.org
- Dallas/Fort Worth Association Executives - www.dfwae.org
- Greater Dallas Restaurant Association - www.gdra.org
- Hotel Association of North Texas - www.hantx.org
- MetroTex Association of REALTORS - www.dfwrealtors.com
OPTIMIZING YOUR RÉSUMÉ
Not so long ago, résumés were printed on quality paper and presented in an envelope to potential employers. While it still is a job seeker’s most important sales tool, the rules of the résumé game have changed. Yes, it’s still critical that you create a quality and accurate document that emphasizes your skills and experience and that you customize each cover letter you send. What has changed is you’re not longer presenting a résumé appealing to the human eye, now it needs to be computer optimized using important key words.
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