For Joe, one of the most satisfying parts of his job search-and most rewarding was - the just completed interview - with the hiring authority for the "right" position with what appeared to be the "right" company.

He ticked off the steps that got him to the interview and, to his surprise, a follow-up interview. Following the interviews, he forwards his resume, now slanted to better fit the needs of this possible employer, to the hiring authority’s boss.

1. Target Centered Action Plan

An early start and completion of a well thought out and executed Action Plan that included his immediate, intermediate and long-term employment goals.

A thorough psychological and interest assessment program monitored by competent and certified individuals, that helped him narrow down the type of position, industry and management level he would be successful in.

A complete review and analysis of companies in his selected geographic job search area that fit the above guidelines (Joe had chosen not to move and to seek employment within a commuting range of 20 to 30 miles).

2. Informational Interviews

Once he had selected the firms he was interested in, Joe called his personal contacts (friends, co-workers, former co-workers, family, etc.) and the industry "grapevine" to see if he could get networked into any of these firms.

As he followed up with those individuals he was networked into, he asked for an informational interview of no longer than 20-minutes. The interview was aimed at gathering information about the company and the particular industry segment it was a part of. It was not an employment interview.

Not everyone on his list would see him but by the end of the first week he had made a fair number of appointments. To each of these contacts he sent a letter confirming the date, time, and "informational" purpose of the meeting and proposed duration (20 minutes).

To the remaining names on the list he sent letters to the hiring authority’s superior, at least one or two levels above, preferably two above, requesting an "informational" interview. The letter was short and included the maximum 4 paragraphs.

Joe started his letter with a short paragraph introducing himself and a description of the specific objective of the meeting.

Two additional paragraphs followed that contained brief description of his relevant successes and quantified accomplishments. He here tried to fit the success to an area that would be of interest to the company he was meeting with.

The fourth and final paragraph contained a brief summary of Joe’s personal skills and strengths.

Joe followed up on the letters with telephone calls three days after mailing. If no response, he followed up with another telephone call within a week. After three follow-up telephone calls Joe would drop the company from his "Hot" list.

3. Interpersonal and Communication Skills

During the time Joe was researching his selected job search area industries, and taking and receiving a reading on his interests through psychological assessments he enrolled at the local Repertory Theater in a short course in beginning acting. He did this to give himself confidence and improve his verbal and body language skills in front of an audience (the person across the desk during the meeting).

He also located and enrolled in a Saturday seminar covering listening skill improvement. Although Joe had not gone to a school with a quantitative focus he realized his communications skills lacked the ingredients that would set him apart from other candidates.

He also knew that the success or failure of the initial meeting would be based on first impressions and connectivity between them as human beings. He knew he had successfully worked with other employees, from senior executives to clerical. However, he also knew that during a stressful interview process he needed to remain composed and appear comfortable, if he was to distinguish himself. Both the acting and listening efforts were helpful to him in preparing and participating in the interview.

He also set up a list of prepared questions he hoped to have answered during the informational interview session. This list was flexible and could be modified to any company he might be interviewing with.

This preparation gave Joe the necessary boundaries he needed to keep the interview on an informational basis and within the allocated 20 minutes. If, however, the interviewer starts chatting about the company and positions that might be available, as happened with Joe’s interview, he was prepared to stay.

At the close of the interview Joe indicated, as this was an informational interview about the company and the industry and not an employment interview, he did not bring a resume with him. He would see that the interviewer received one tomorrow (slanted to better fit the needs of this company to be sure) together with a handwritten thank you note.

Joe was successful because he took the time to make an Action Plan and worked the plan hard. He was prepared and doubly so since he took that extra step to ensure his interpersonal and communication skills were such that they would set him apart from other potential candidates. The "extra" effort made the difference and gave Joe a very positive experience.

You to can be successful, if you make your plan and follow the plan.