Real Job Searching Tips

Real Job Searching Tips


See a good job, send a copy of your resume, and get an interview then a job offer…. just that easy right? We all know it never goes that easy and there are many processes behind the scenes. I like to think of the job process as a funnel. You start in a large group and the select few make it through to the end.

So let’s start with the very first step….the resume. You need to think of your resume as your personal marketing piece.

YOU GOT 10 SECONDS TO SELL

When a company posts a job they get literally hundreds of resumes in response. Yikes… I totally hear ya! The first step of the Recruiter/ HR is to weed out all of the non-matching candidates from the pile. Here is a crazy fact: most recruiters read a resume in 10-20 seconds or less (crazy right?). The first point is to screen OUT resumes that do not match. So, to make it IN the second pile we need to answer the job criteria and QUICK.

On the top half of page 1 of your resume, your reader should quickly determine: your expertise or job function, your location, industry expertise, career level (manager, lead, hands on worker), recent experience, education, turnover/ stability, and overall format, grammar and spelling. Not saying that your resume needs to be short or that you need to put ALL of that info in the first ½ of the first page, but get the best part in there. That is prime real estate!

In the first part of the process, 80%-100% of the applicants are eliminated! Those that are left are read in detail or the long resume version is reviewed.

FIND YOUR INNER ADVERTISING GURU

Think about your marketing tone, if your resume currently reads “here is what I did in the past” rather than “here is what I can do for you today” then you need revisions.

Take a tip from Hollywood! Let’s say you have worked with Fortune 500 leading companies then make sure speak to that in the experience: i.e. worked for Fortune 500industry leaders including Shell, Continental Airlines, MD Anderson- name dropping like totally works in like building credibility on your resume.

Find your “Sizzle” story, share details of when you improved a process, saved or earned money for a company, or were given public recognition. Often the most stressful times in our career have given us the most personal growth.

Make a tag line. Create a resume title under your name so the reader mentally associates your name with your expertise (i.e. John Smith, Senior Mechanical Engineer).

SOCIAL MEDIA IS YOUR FRIEND

Best advice right now in your job search- make sure you have a Linkedin.com profile, add groups, apply for jobs and get public recommendations.

Stay on the look out for future advice!

www.agency8recruiting.com
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“Work hard now, so you don’t work hard for the rest of your life”

A former professor back in college said something that has always stuck with me.

“Work hard now, so you don’t work hard for the rest of your life”

Through the years, I have been asked advice from my candidates about the decision to complete their degrees; obtaining that certification; or going after the next step in their career path. First, let me say that I am honored to be asked to share my opinion on one of the most important decisions in your life.

They tell me their dreams and long-term goals. They are working a 40-50 hour a week job, and debating attending night and weekend courses to pursue that dream. Money is tight, and life is strenuous right now in this economy. College expenses and limited time will complicate life more. But have you ever known a time when things were truly easy?

Is risk, worth the reward?

So… I am shouting out-loud, my simple and clear advice:

First, do not give up the fight before you begin. If you know what you want out of life, then know that you are capable of achieving it.

Second, it won’t be easy. A degree or accomplishment would be worthless, if it were.

And last, listen to the professor; do it now and reap the benefits for the rest of your career.

But if you fail to follow my advice; and you never go after your dreams… Well.. then move over to the slow lane 'cause the rest of us are going to plow right on past you! :-)

In this blog I am including a list of 3 books that will FOREVER change your life:

Think and Grow Rich (N. Hill)
Change your thoughts, change your life (W. Dyer)
Total Money Makeover (D. Ramesy)

Happiness and success, is my wish for you

Rebecca Nutt