Great Job Search Advice

If you want to snag a dream job, you have to stand out from the masses of other job seekers out there. In order to do that, you'll need a strategic online and print communications plan. Your resume must be pithy and powerful (think crisper, tighter and higher impact) in order to make a stellar impression in the first few of words. The language you choose to use in every space should communicate your unique brand and authentic self.

So - let's address some key resume tips, as everything else you do can flow from that. First, lead with 2-3 brief sentences that encapsulate the top 3-5 achievements that pertain specifically to the kind of job you are seeking (which is why people develop 2, 3 or 4 different versions that are tied into different jobs and industries). 

Make sure this intro includes phrases about the kind of environment you excel in, and the type of company you’d like to grow with, in a way that also reflects your personality. Use positive, action-orientated phrases that you would really say.

There’s a wealth of information out there about how to write terrific resumes, but two amazing resources are: Louise Kurmark’s  and Wendy Enelow’s site, and their main business site: The Career Academy (this is a critical one - please listen to the webinar on this page before doing anything)! Even though it was developed for professional resume writers, it contains a wealth of high level information, that will help you view the way you communicate about your work experiences with different eyes, and as a result, you’ll be able to make smart changes that will elevate your resume to new heights! Unless you're interested in becoming a professional resume writer, you can skip the part about creating new resume writing services.

This page gives you a list of Career areas, which leads to a full page of industry or career area questions a professional resume writer asks their clients before they begin to write an exceptional resume. These questions will help you uncover some important elements you may not have thought of before.

Another terrific resource is Kathy Keshemberg’s site, A Career Advantage
The resulting resume and how you present yourself will reflect the care you took to do your homework and highlight the best of what you bring to the table in an honest and interesting way.

Once you’re satisfied with your resume, get social and update your LinkedIn (and, if you are a woman seeking remote or flex-time job opportunities, your PowerToFly) profile, so there are 2 different professional career advancement outlets where diverse companies can review your skill sets, work experiences and goals. Use Twitter and Facebook to share valuable articles, videos, tips and insight on topics that pertain to industries you can excel in and your area(s) of expertise. Ditch the hype and take a simple piece of advice from Laura Fitton, one of the first people to have 25,000k+ followers on Twitter - make sure you are authentic and add value in every share you make.

Take time to thoroughly research different industries and specific companies. Get familiar with who they are, what they do, and where they’re headed, so you can identify the right work environment and fit for your personality and career objectives. Take a look at the execs in the firm, and some of the folks that might report to them, to get more insight about the company, their leadership style and possible tasks pertaining to a job you might be interested in. This also helps you to identify 1st, 2nd or 3rd level connections, so you can facilitate intros to these new contacts via your LinkedIn network too.

Practice, Practice, Practice!
The old saying, "How do you make it to Carnegie Hall, practice, practice, practice" applies to any communications and networking outlets you use in your job hunt.

One size does not fit all, so take the time to craft multiple, strong elevator pitches with different and direct responses to tactical and basic interview questions. Make sure to verbalize your spiel out loud, as this is the best way to identify any issues or stumbling blocks. By hearing yourself articulate answers to different interview questions, you can develop pithy content - and the right tone and pace  - to suit different circumstances and audiences.

Make your own "luck"
With attention to the right details, you'll be ready to comfortably and passionately describe how you can add value and make a difference in whatever company or headhunter interview you snag!