It’s been a buyer’s employment market since 2008. For every job posted there are sometimes hundreds of applicants. For that reason, modern job seekers as sellers, need to be increasingly savvy in their job searches.
Here are five MUST DO TIPS for the modern job seeker to increase chances of closing the deal:
1. RESEARCH THE
MARKET | FIND THE GROWH INDUSTRIES
Before you start looking for a job, use the internet to learn about which industries are in growth mode and which are hiring. Determine what types of jobs companies are posting and which qualifications they seek. Then decide whether you need to obtain a certification or take a course or re-word your resume to fit the job needs. If you are looking for a job that gives preference to certifications, consider whether you should get certified. But, you might find you don’t want it enough.
For example, a financial analyst who had also been working as a project manager decided to look for a new job. He soon realized that if he wanted to find a job as a project manager in a large financial institution, he would need a PMP certification. He remained at his job and studied for the certification. Then, with the PMP certification on his resume, he pursued suitable positions with a new level of confidence.
Before you start looking for a job, use the internet to learn about which industries are in growth mode and which are hiring. Determine what types of jobs companies are posting and which qualifications they seek. Then decide whether you need to obtain a certification or take a course or re-word your resume to fit the job needs. If you are looking for a job that gives preference to certifications, consider whether you should get certified. But, you might find you don’t want it enough.
For example, a financial analyst who had also been working as a project manager decided to look for a new job. He soon realized that if he wanted to find a job as a project manager in a large financial institution, he would need a PMP certification. He remained at his job and studied for the certification. Then, with the PMP certification on his resume, he pursued suitable positions with a new level of confidence.
In another instance, a headhunter/recruitment
professional looking for a change decided he could position himself in
different roles. He could study for months to sit for a PHR/SPHR certification
and position himself as a human resources/talent acquisition professional. Or, he
could position himself as a “sales professional.” After thoroughly researching different
positions and investigating the PHR/SPHR certification requirements, he decided
that, although there appeared to be more opportunities in HR-related positions,
he wasn’t interested enough in studying for the PHR/SPHR exam, and his talents
were stronger in sales. That decision made it even more important for him to
build and rely upon a robust referral network to make connections in sales.
2. BUILD A REFERRAL
NETWORK
3.
REFINE YOUR RESUME
Study the qualifications listed in each job posting. Does your resume show that your skills meet those requirements? If not, rework your resume to let the readers know right away that your skills are “on all fours” with the applicant they seek. If you are an experienced professional, you likely will add a brief summary at the top with core competencies mirroring the job requirements just below the summary. Present results, achievements, or impacts of your work to SHOW prospective employers how you will be able to solve their problems. And, to make it to the top of the pile, your resume must look clean, organized, and be error-free. Ask people you respect to read and comment on your resume.
Study the qualifications listed in each job posting. Does your resume show that your skills meet those requirements? If not, rework your resume to let the readers know right away that your skills are “on all fours” with the applicant they seek. If you are an experienced professional, you likely will add a brief summary at the top with core competencies mirroring the job requirements just below the summary. Present results, achievements, or impacts of your work to SHOW prospective employers how you will be able to solve their problems. And, to make it to the top of the pile, your resume must look clean, organized, and be error-free. Ask people you respect to read and comment on your resume.
4. NETWORK
& JOBSEARCH ON LINKEDIN
Make your profile attractive to recruiters. Once you have completed your resume, align your
LinkedIn profile with your resume. But
your profile should be less detailed and less formal than your resume. Companies
and headhunters search for candidates on LinkedIn. Your photo should be sharp
and professional-looking. Ensure you have the right keywords in the headline,
job title, and summary. Change the title at the top near your name. The title
does not need to be your current job title. Instead, it might be something more
general like: Pharmaceutical Sales
Professional; Senior Accountant | CPA; Chief Marketing Officer; Electrical
Engineer; or Project Management Professional.
The best way to find a job through networking is
through social media. Then take the
time to add connections. You need at least 250 connections to increase your
chances to find either a job or a lead to a job. Connect with alumni to
increase your connections. One of them may work in your industry or a company
that interests you. Click on CONTACTS and scroll down to SCHOOLS. There you can
find all LinkedIn members who went to your school.
Use LinkedIn to search for jobs. As a first step, click on the JOBS tab on the home
page and search for jobs. You can follow companies on LinkedIn to follow
company information and job postings. Next, join industry groups that seem to
be a good match for your skills and career objectives. LinkedIn will send you
regular emails suggestion jobs that might interest you. Read through those
emails.
5. PREPARE FOR
YOUR INTERVIEWS | BE A PROBLEM-SOLVER
There is
no substitute for preparation. At a minimum, you should know as much about the
company as you can. Prepare questions to ask about the company and the
interviewers. This will show you have done your homework. Know why you would
add value. Determine the challenges of the company or the industry and practice
talking about how you would be the answer to their problems. This may answer
the “WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU?” And you also need to prepare the answer to “WHY
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN OUR COMPANY?” (See our blog post, Five
Simple Interview Tips.) Search the internet for information about
behavioral interviews; find sample questions for the type of job you seek; and
practice answering the questions.
Randi S. Lewis, Esq.,
CEIP | Resume Boutique LLC | 410.602.2500
Professional Resume Writer -
LinkedIn Profile Writer - Strategic
Interview Coach
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