What Are the Most Important Tools and Skills in a Job Search?

Today's job search processes, especially for management, leadership, and executives roles, require much more than a good resume. Matter of fact I coach clients that often get job interview requests without the employer ever seeing their resume. Part of the reason is my clients are NOT stuck in Job Board hell, where it's difficult for anyone to get the attention of hiring managers.

Also, before you invest several hundred or I've seen some executive resume writers charge over $2,000 for a resume, you may want to consider investing in other parts of your ability to stand out and get hired.

1. Interview

Like most of your career search - good interviewing is a skill. You work to get to this point and don't want to drop the ball here. Investing in the next four things helps to get you here and should help you to prepare and communicate your value in the interview. Continue that preparation by researching the company and position. Have your messaging down. Ask great questions. And engage each of your interviewers. Few people practice interviewing. Find a mentor, unless you like doing interviews.

2. Outreach Process – Your Job Search Strategy

If you are relying on job boards or someone in your network to call you, then expect to be competing in a very crowded pack. Today's job search requires you to execute a process that gets you in front of hiring managers, being relevant for the role you are interested in and have a clear value proposition.

3. LinkedIn Profile

95% of employers and recruiters are on LinkedIn searching. It's about the only thing that will work for you 24/7. When you do reach out to hiring managers, it's generally the first thing they check out. It's your opportunity to do a mini-interview – connect with the company and hiring manager – be relevant to earn a chance to talk.

TIE 3. Coverletter (but not the traditional cover)

The Traditional cover letter is dead. Matter of fact if you continue to use old boring formatted cover letter repeating your skills (80% of candidates still are), It could work against you as you look like everyone else. Today you need to stand out with a compelling message that can take many forms – a LinkedIn InMail, email or with your resume on a job board. In many cases, you may not need your resume – a disruptive message and link to your LinkedIn profile.

4. References

Don't underestimate the power of references, especially from your supervisors. When relevant - I've helped clients write cover letters that feature two or three key references. Let someone else do the talking for you.  

5. Resume

Still and important tool but not as important as it once was. Today's resumes need to be easy to read, by machine and people, and clearly show your skills, accomplishments, and career history. One page, if less than five years, most of the rest of us should keep it to two pages.

I will be the first to say that not every career search is the same. The recipe for yours may be different. If you would like to get an opinion of an employer, someone who has been hiring professionals and executives for 30 years - not writing resumes or taking coaching classes. Then please follow the link to schedule your free 30-minute Discovery Call, where we'll focus on YOUR search and get you immediate help on your way to Get Hired.

David McKnight

[email protected]

Schedule Coaching or Discovery Call with David ? https://go.oncehub.com/GetHired