Job search process management using self-promotion

Lietuvos ir Europos Sąjungos dokumentuose pabrėžiamas jaunų specialistų prisitaikymas prie nuolat kintančių rinkos poreikių. Lietuvoje vykdomos aukštojo mokslo reformos tikslas – užtikrinti aukštos kvalifikacijos specialistų parengimą verslui ir skatinti įmonių, organizacijų ir aukštųjų mokyklų bendradarbiavimą įvairiose srityse. Globalizacijos iššūkių metu, ieškant inovatyvių darbo paieškos metodų, aktualiu mokslinių diskusijų objektu tampa savireklamos taikymas. Tyrimas parodė, jog pagrindinė problema jaunam žmogui ieškant darbo yra nepakankami darbo paieškos įgūdžiai arba ne kiekvienas išdrįsta naudoti aktyvias darbo paieškos strategijas. Todėl būtina siekti efektyvios ir kokybiškos studentų veiklos, kuri garantuoja ateities specialisto brandos tobulėjimą ir jo realizaciją. Raktiniai žodžiai: darbo paieškos erdvė, asmenybės branda, karjera, savireklama.Globalisation, the rapid development of information technologies, demographic factors led to certain changes in the management of individual careers. Therefore a constant research of changes and trends is necessary not only for career planning, but also in various stages of its implementation. The aim of the higher education reforms in Lithuania is to ensure the preparation of highly educated specialists for business and to encourage businesses, organizations and higher education institutions‘ co-operation in various fields. Within the challenges of globalisation in looking for the innovative and active job search techniques, self-promotion becomes actual scientific object of discussions The researchers claim that students need all the assistance that would enable a better understanding of themselves, also to choose and exploit new and innovative measures, to properly understanding of employment opportunities. The aim of the article is to reveal the application of self-promotion in the job search process management.An analysis of the different sources can distinguish a few of the most popular job search tools currently used by the academic youth: sending CVs to job advertisements in the media and professional journals; usage of social networks (calls, meetings, online networking tools); appeal to high school Career centers and to professional organizations; sending CVs and covering letters directly to the organizations; job offers‘ review online; CV hosting into the online job databases; filling of the questionnaires in the offices; calls and direct visits to the organizations; practices, internships, participation at the Career days, participation in the contests and project activities; etc.; registration at the local Employement centre; personal communication, such as, friends, acquaintances and former co-workers.Normally specialists offer to simultaneously select more than one but not more than four search methods. Since every method is a kind of self-promotion, so it has to be chosen which way of self-promotion should be placed to reveal the best individual's personal qualities and competencies acquired. Job search is not possible without individual personal characteristics, self-demonstration or self-promotion, so the scenario has to be forseen by which the search for work becomes more efficient. Therefore, a conducted study revealed the graduates‘ self-promotion features of the job search process. By the help of the questionnaire, the principles of students job search process and graduates approach to the selfpromo, as an innovative way of looking for a job and shaping the career vision, were analysed. There were interviewed 180 College graduates.During the study, students said that the self-promotion application is influenced by criteria such as: time, effort, money, control of the situation, competition, activity, efficiency, the coverage of employment opportunities (visible and/or hidden job market). In students‘ responses predominated the provision, ‘that an active strategy requires time and effort, but not always guarantees success, and not to all entities that may be applied. Students realize that in applying the measure, job search becomes more effective because it enables managing of this process and in case of need one can change or improve it. However, the investigation revealed that not everyone dares to use effective job search strategies, because it can be treated as a "prank" or a lack of competence compensation. The study revealed that graduates appreciate job search, that is based on social relations. There is also one of the most popular job search processes-a direct request to the employer, as it gives the opportunity to express their positions and to communicate directly revealing their competencies.The most positive job search opportunity students see in the application of innovative self-promotion. They said, ‘that you only need to try free channels like Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, About.me, Slideshare.net. These singled out ways would allow young people create an impression not only in Lithuania, but also in the global labour market.The study highlighted the fact that graduates need to learn, ‘to advertise‘and ‘position‘: themselves, skills, talents, strengths, their activities/business in order to achieve the most effective result. Keywords: job search process; personal career; self-promotion; active job search technique