Job Search in April: Achievements & Networking

Job search and resume writing has brought so much controversy lately – it seems that we have heard everything, and we’ve even reached the point that some quasi-competent people on LinkedIn claim that a resume is obsolete, and all you need to do is to network. Can it be more confusing for job seekers right now? I doubt it.

But, as always, we are fighting job search misinformation, and this month we are talking about how to write an effective resume yourself and learn how to “boast” about your professional results. We will also talk about a long-term networking strategy and specific actions you can take to boost your professional circle. Let’s do it!

How to become comfortable with writing and speaking about your accomplishments?

Communicating your unique value efficiently to those overseeing the hiring process, whether on your resume or interview, is all you actually need to get a job. But this requires confidence and clarity that many people don’t have.

When we talk about accomplishments, many of my clients say:

• “I don’t like talking about myself”
• ?“I’m not a salesperson, and the idea of this makes me uncomfortable”
• “It feels arrogant if I put numbers on and brag about what I did over the years”

So, you see, you are not the only one. ??

The ability to communicate your unique value is a skill that you can learn, and here is how:

? Think about the context

Recounting your accomplishments during a job search differs from purely boasting about your success. In this context, standing out is a must. Communicating what you’re good at and what sets you apart from other job candidates must be embedded on your resume and LinkedIn profile, during networking meetings and job interviews, follow-up thank-you notes, and even during salary negotiations.

? What to focus on

What is your source of pride professionally? Start by having a clear grasp of three things:

1?? What specifically you’ve accomplished professionally?

2?? What personal attributes demonstrate your strengths?

3?? What impact have your achievements had on the places where you’ve worked?

A common struggle I hear from clients in confidently stating their accomplishments is the third - identifying the impact they’ve achieved, particularly when they’ve been a part of a team of many in a large organization. It’s all about taking the time to recognize and embrace your contribution.

Here are some of the questions you need to answer:

?? What problem or issue did you tackle?

?? What results did you achieve?

?? What traits did it take to get it done?

?? Where did you have to dig deep?

?? What made you particularly suited for the task?

?? What impact did this achievement have in your workplace?

For measurable accomplishments (numbers, %), you can use, for example: the annual income generated, cost reduced, money saved, errors reduced, sales target reached, market share gained, size and number of teams you supervised, the number of projects you completed, training you held, number of clients, vendors, and accounts.

If you can’t think of any measurable accomplishment you had, or it’s really hard to put a number on jobs that you have done, try this:

The answers to these questions will speak to your value, passions, and unique strengths. It will help frame your employment story.

? How to self-promote and view yourself as a brand

Self-promotion and self-evaluation are hard. It’s always easier to evaluate others positively, right? In my work, I encourage my clients to try to think about themselves from a distance, to allow for less personal judgment to color their achievements. This de-attachment usually helps.

Here is an example of how to write about the role you had in the Experience section on your resume:

Remember, a job search is hard, and it requires a demonstration of supreme confidence while being judged by strangers and facing unknown outcomes. To win that game, you must acknowledge, embrace and integrate your value. And this is something that no one can take away.

?

Networking as a long-term career game

Networking is essential for 2 main reasons – it can give you the advantage of learning about opportunities before they are publicly posted, and it can lead to someone personally recommending you for a position, making all the difference in securing an interview and, eventually, an offer. However, this is not a strategy that gives results in a month or two (no matter what quasi-coaches on LinkedIn say). Networking is more of an investment in your future. So, treat it as such.

Reaching out to people you don’t know

If you’re reaching out to someone you haven’t previously worked with or met, the mechanics for securing a connection or a meeting are the same, in-person or virtual. You need to send a request that will generate a response.

Here is what to do:

?? Brush up your LinkedIn profile, personal website, portfolio, and pretty much all your online presence.

?? Make your connection request/message short and be clear about your “ask”. Have a specific question(s) in mind, and do not ask for “10 min of their time to pick their brains”.

?? Do mention a mutual friend, being an alumnus of the same school, or that you’re inspired by their posts, work, or their company’s mission

Setting a concrete networking goal

Expanding the social circle online often means stepping outside of your comfort zone. To deal with this, consider designing a framework to keep the job search contained by setting concrete, achievable weekly goals. For example, how many people you’ll contact each week, or how many virtual events you will attend. Decide what kind of people you want in your network, are they recruiters, leaders, or professionals from the industry you want to break in? Setting a clear goal and limit will give you control over your activities and let you do things at your own pace.

?Here is more info on How to Build a Great LinkedIn Network .

Do you need professional assistance? I can help you with:

???Career and job search coaching for entry-level and mid-level professionals - resume, LinkedIn, interview, job search strategy

???Career and job search coaching for senior professionals and executives - executive resume, LinkedIn, executive bio, personal website, interview, salary negotiation, leadership development

?? Job Search Guidance Package of templates and guides - an easy and affordable way to make your resume stand out, and land an interview faster

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