Job Hunting and Shameless Self Promotion

These days it's no longer uncommon for your resume to be just the starting point when job hunting. Your cover letter, and now your online presence, can make as great an impact on a recruiter as your resume or CV.

In fact, in today's job market self-promotion, hopefully not too shameless, is the name of the game. With applications numbering in the hundreds or thousands for some of the top jobs, you have to figure out a way to make yourself stand out.

That's where sites like Branded.Me and Squarespace can really help you. These public-profile venues offer an amazing, and often free, opportunity for you to develop a creative presentation about a subject matter you (hopefully) know a great deal about...you.

To utilize profile sites to their maximum, you may need to opt for premium offerings that cost from a one-time $10 up to $25 or more per month. Depending on your field and the number of competitive candidates you're potentially facing, these fees could be worth it.

Still, and I believe this firmly and with all my heart, the best tool in landing a dream job is having an inside contact at the company you're hoping to work for - or at least knowing someone who can provide a good, solid referral at that organization.

Whether you're just testing the waters by sending out a resume or going full bore into a job hunt using all the tools at your disposal, always be sure your (possibly shameless) self promotions are clear, honest and paint the best picture possible about who you are and what value you'll add.

Good luck!