Tips for Success in Searching for a Job
Let me be brutally honest for a few minutes. If you read this whole
article twice, and act on the advice contained herein, you will get
hired. Why? Well I have hired lots of folks myself and
recruited even more folks over my years in business. But as a
resume specialist now I get plenty of feedback from my clients.
One client of mine sent only one resume and cover letter out, and
got four interviews and two job offers from it. He told me it was
passed on via email by his first target to several colleagues. I
know 80% of resumes are instantly deleted before they even get
printed from actual experience as a hiring manager. First let us
see if you are one of the 80%.
Top Signs Your Resume is Not Working
1. Your phone is still silent.
2. Your resume was made by a machine & your phone is still silent.
3. Your resume is generic. You use one resume for all positions.
4. Your resume shows only your contact info and work history.
5. You are not an executive yet you have a multiple page resume.
6. Your resume has your picture on it and you are not in
Acting/Modeling.
7. Your resume lists reasons for departure from previous jobs.
8. You don't use great cover letters.
9. You are relying on a template to make a great resume.
10. You edit & proofread your resume in less than 15 minutes.
11. You are selling your valuables on Ebay or Craig's List for cash.
12. You are using a mass resume distribution service verses
sending great customized resumes.
13. You only respond to help wanted ads, never use cover letters.
14. A prospective employer can Google your name and giggle for
hours at the results.
15. You got real creative with your work history. Completely
unaware this is easy to verify.
16. You think networking is a functioning internet connection.
17. You used a mass resume distribution service and your boss is
now holding your resume.
18. If your phone is still silent after 3 weeks and you have few if any
interviews, stop and get some professional advice. Even
sending out just a great cover letter should land you interviews.
The perfect answer for you maybe a Resume Critique/Review.
That's right you may be just one phone call away from a boat load
of interviews. Today, it is popular for professional resume
services to give out free resume evaluations. Now, be prepared to
hear frank and honest feedback on what changes to make. 90 out
of every 100 folks would be likely to significantly improve their
resumes and cover letters.
The resume and cover letter can usually be reworked into highly
professional marketing tools to generate enough interviews so
you have a choice of employers. Sure a resume writing service
will charge you a modest fee for resume renovation or overhaul.
But it sure beats continuing down a non-productive path as you
eat though your savings week after week. It is really exciting, to
hear good news from my clients on how well a "born again"
resume and cover letter worked for them. This has happened so
much I decided to spread the good news about resume reviews.
If there is any doubt that the general population relies upon
professional resume writers heavily for their resumes and cover
letters, simply type in: "Resume Services" into Google. The huge
number of resume businesses should tell you something. If you
are not using a professional resume service your competition
is.
Now, if you have a great resume and had that fact verified by a pro,
there may be something sinister at work. One serious challenge
could be you are stuck in a profession that is adversely affected
by the downturn in the economy. Or you could be in a profession
that is becoming obsolete due to the competition from the
Internet. Perhaps you could even be in a location where there are
few opportunities. RI for example currently has the highest
unemployment rate in all fifty states at 9%. I would estimate that
at least 50% of the folks I know work in Massachusetts or
Connecticut.
If you are simply better off relocating, by all means get on with it if
possible. If it is not possible consider opening your own business
or targeting new employment by telecommuting. Naturally you
can retool and target a high growth career like health care. The
bottom line is be proactive. Seek free advice from your states
Department of Labor & Training. If all else fails seriously consider
a longer commute. Many commuters earn significantly for their
extra time and trouble. Honestly, since I have done it myself it is
amazing how much you can learn from Audio books while you are
driving. It might be the ideal time to listen and learn your way into
speaking a new language. Still further adding to your value in the
market place and with your employer. Just like that you've gone
from zero to hero. Congratulations.