"When faced with a daunting and months-long job search, many candidates believe that the best way to go is to prove they have talent in numerous industries. In other words, they can wear many hats and do just about anything.
Unfortunately, that’s not the way to impress a hiring manager or a recruiter. In today’s job market, what you have to prove most is that you’re the ideal candidate for the position. That means focusing on one industry, one job (preferably from a posting you’re interested in) and dovetailing everything you’ve done toward that opening." -What Hiring Managers and Recruiters Look for in a Resume | The Resume Blog by Resumeedge
Ditch the Traditional Objective
I have been advising clients to use branding statements over objectives for a while now. They are becoming more and more standard and expected.
"Your title/job target is the first impression a hiring manager will have when reading your resume. This short phrase provides a quick summary of what you’ve accomplished and why you are the right person for the job. It helps to set the tone for who you are as a candidate. This tone should remain consistent throughout the resume and any other information the manager receives about you." -5 Personal Branding Resume Techniques You Must Try | The Savvy Intern by YouTern:
"Your title/job target is the first impression a hiring manager will have when reading your resume. This short phrase provides a quick summary of what you’ve accomplished and why you are the right person for the job. It helps to set the tone for who you are as a candidate. This tone should remain consistent throughout the resume and any other information the manager receives about you." -5 Personal Branding Resume Techniques You Must Try | The Savvy Intern by YouTern:
Testimonials in Cover Letters
Not a bad idea.
"Testimonials are another way of getting your cover letter to be different than that of others. Testimonials can be in the form of lines from recommendation letters, vendor appreciation notes and by way of performance evaluations, memos issued to staff or other types of acclamations. When compiled creatively, they can create a powerful impact on your recruiter or interviewer. It can send a clear message to the company that they can do better by getting you on their side." -How to Make Your Cover Letter Grab the Employer's Attention | The Undercover Recruiter:
"Testimonials are another way of getting your cover letter to be different than that of others. Testimonials can be in the form of lines from recommendation letters, vendor appreciation notes and by way of performance evaluations, memos issued to staff or other types of acclamations. When compiled creatively, they can create a powerful impact on your recruiter or interviewer. It can send a clear message to the company that they can do better by getting you on their side." -How to Make Your Cover Letter Grab the Employer's Attention | The Undercover Recruiter:
Why Job Boards Are Not Great For the Inexperienced
"Identify the job sites that are most used by businesses in the geographic location you are looking. Also, find sites that focus on career opportunities in your industry. This is your primary source of vacant, advertised positions and is where you will spend most of your time. Be ready to fill your days writing cover letters and sending resumes that never get answered or possibly even read.
The job market is a touch awful, and overqualified candidates are applying for the positions you just qualify for. The people running competitions for positions you are overqualified for are hesitant to look at you, because they’re scared you won’t be around long. Job banks are pretty much a graveyard for the resumes of the inexperienced." - Dude Where’s My Job? Episode 1 – Where to Look | The Savvy Intern by YouTern:
The job market is a touch awful, and overqualified candidates are applying for the positions you just qualify for. The people running competitions for positions you are overqualified for are hesitant to look at you, because they’re scared you won’t be around long. Job banks are pretty much a graveyard for the resumes of the inexperienced." - Dude Where’s My Job? Episode 1 – Where to Look | The Savvy Intern by YouTern:
Career ADD
"The NUMBER ONE biggest mistake those of us with Career ADD make is having a lack of FOCUS on what we REALLY want in a job or career. When we are sitting in front of someone who has the potential to change our work lives and we are not able to articulate what we are really even looking for in a job, what kind of impression do you imagine that makes?" - Career ADD and the Job Search – Number One Mistake | CAREEREALISM:
Don't Ask About Money in the Interview
"While not talking over or continuously interrupting your interviewer, it is to be expected that you will have some questions regarding the company, so prepare them ahead of time. This allows you to come ready to learn about the position you’re applying for, how your role will impact the employer and what the company can do for you.
One question that should not be at the forefront of your list is how much money the job will pay, as nothing looks worse than if you’re only interested in the salary. While it is only natural to want to know what your income will be with your new employer, don’t be overly aggressive in getting to that issue. "-Selling Yourself During a Job Interview is Critical - Secrets of the Job Hunt:
One question that should not be at the forefront of your list is how much money the job will pay, as nothing looks worse than if you’re only interested in the salary. While it is only natural to want to know what your income will be with your new employer, don’t be overly aggressive in getting to that issue. "-Selling Yourself During a Job Interview is Critical - Secrets of the Job Hunt:
Age Matters For Job Seekers & Employers
Hiring managers can view older workers as more expensive to hire, as having outdated experience or too much experience, or as not being current with today's technology and working environment.
In fact, one of the recurring themes in the stories that unemployed job seekers have shared with us, is that age is an issue when you're job searching. Comments include:
I think my age is my downfall right now.
I have learned that age does matter in employment.
My age seems to be my biggest enemy.
What's even tougher is that being consider old doesn't just happen when you're a senior citizen. You can be considered "too old" in your forties and fifties, sometimes even younger depending on the company or the industry.- Job Search Tips for Older Job Seekers
In fact, one of the recurring themes in the stories that unemployed job seekers have shared with us, is that age is an issue when you're job searching. Comments include:
I think my age is my downfall right now.
I have learned that age does matter in employment.
My age seems to be my biggest enemy.
What's even tougher is that being consider old doesn't just happen when you're a senior citizen. You can be considered "too old" in your forties and fifties, sometimes even younger depending on the company or the industry.- Job Search Tips for Older Job Seekers
Don't "Perry" Your Interview
During the interview, it’s important to make sure you don’t forget important details about the company, including the manager’s name, the job you’re applying for, duties, and a brief company history. The manager wants you to know about the company you’re applying to, as you should. So take time to study this info before the interview.
Avoiding these mistakes may seem like a no-brainer to some, but they are actually easy to make. So to play it safe, take time to review this list when you score the next interview.- 6 Job Interview Blunders to Avoid | | CollegeRecruiter.comCollegeRecruiter.com
Avoiding these mistakes may seem like a no-brainer to some, but they are actually easy to make. So to play it safe, take time to review this list when you score the next interview.- 6 Job Interview Blunders to Avoid | | CollegeRecruiter.comCollegeRecruiter.com
Searchable Resumes Are Key
Ensure your resume will be searchable by ATS software. Here are some key things to remember if you will be applying online as outlined byAOLJobs:
Customize the resume for each position
Keep job titles fairly generic
Keep resume formatting to a minimum
Avoid functional resumes
Include full keywords and their abbreviated formats
-What You Need To Know About Applying For Jobs Online | nextchapternewlife.com
A Networking Myth
Networking can be awkward, but that is no reason to hold back from doing it.
Myth – Networkers are imposing on the people they ask.
Fact – If everyone was imposed on when they were asked for a job, no one would ever volunteer a position to their friends and colleagues. Many people that you will ask got their job through networking. They may have felt like they were imposing but they did what they had to do to find a job, just like you should. -Networking Myths vs. The Reality - Secrets of the Job Hunt
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