Your Resume as a Dynamic Marketing Piece

Before PC’s became readily accessible, job seekers would have resumes printed by professional print shops on pricey stationery.  Given the expense, that document would be sent out over and over again. It probably would be updated only when the copies on hand were exhausted or due to a material event.

Not anymore.  In today’s electronic world, not only should a resume be current it should be tailored for the job position in consideration. Therefore,  a resume should no longer be regarded as a static document.  To me,  it makes a lot of sense. Think of yourself as an HR manager having to review hundreds of job applications and resumes. Would you be inclined to analyze a host of generic resumes trying to figure out if it fits what you are looking for?  Probably not.  A ” one size fits all”  also gives  the impression that the job seeker is simply sending out resumes to everything in sight hoping that one of them might just “stick on the wall” somewhere.

Although not everyone is apt to agree with me, I feel that an objective statement at the top indicating the type of position desired (such as a software engineer, teacher, or electrician, etc.) is a good thing.  To me, it frames the resume and sets the stage for the sections of text that follow.

Of course, aim to mirror the keywords expressed in the job description or job posting.  That’s a given.   I would read through your existing resume focusing on which elements or points are still relevant.  Where possible, I would address each accomplishment and/or skill to see if each one could be modified or augmented to fit, inserting keywords used in the industry.  If you need help, public libraries offer a host of resume books that showcase resumes for different job positions, industries and varying levels of experience and situations.  In addition, the web site, careeronestop, contains a database of occupations with descriptions of required skills, knowledge, education, likely tasks, activities.  It’s a useful aid when preparing or updating a resume.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to try out different resumes.  Whichever one gets the interview and the job will be the right one.

 

A Fantastic Guide for Job Seekers

As a librarian, I come acrosss lots of books for job seekers and most of them are just so-so. Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 3.0 by Jay Conrad Levinson and David E. Perry is absolutely stellar.  Most handbooks are filled with suggestions and tips that are so general that I’m left thinking, “this is great but how do I apply it or put it into practice.”  Not this one.  If you use this book, you won’t be left hanging in thin air.  It’s got  the ingredients and the instructions for success in your job hunt.

Personal branding is the buzz these days but what does it really mean? You will learn it’s all about leadership and communication skills, taking iniative, passion and cultural compatibility.  That’s just an introduction for the actually strategy follows.  The specifics are outlined in the next 15 pages.  It describes how to show an employer that you will add value to the organization by presenting your accomplishments in dollars and cents.

Of course, the whole world talks about the importance of networking but what does that entail?  Chances are you won’t find a job through someone you know.  So, learn how to network as if you were a professional headhunter. This book will tell you exactly how to do it.

Have you heard compelling stories about using LinkedIn or other social networking tools but don’t know where to start?  Levinson and Perry have some wonderful tips and techniques that are sure to work.

You will most likely find this book at your public library.

Increase Your Odds of Landing a Job

As a business librarian, I’m inclined to tell people to do research whether they are conducting a job search or contemplating the start of a new business. Plus, I tend to scour the universe for information before I finally decide I have enough data. People who have worked with me would certainly agree about my thorough approach.

So, when I read  Aldo Svaldi’s article today in The Denver Post entitled, As Colorado Jobs Start to Come Back, Searchers’ Skills Need Work,”  I noted that the various experts cited in this article each advocated doing research as part of a job search.

Andrew Hudson,who runs a popular job board in Denver commented that responding to postings on job boards should not consume more than 20% of a job seeker’s time.  Instead, spending time networking and making contacts is likely to be a more effective way of landing a new job.

That may sound easy but how does one find contacts?  As a librarian, I would recommend using ReferenceUSA, a popular online business directory available at many public libraries, to identify potential employers.  With ReferenceUSA, the user can quickly identify companies by industry, location, size, organization type, and more.  Download lists with contact names and their job titles.  Then, the hard part begins.  Either pick up the phone and start calling, network through others, or try making contact through LinkedIn.

Later on in the article, Sam Sargent, president of Human Resources Asset Management Systems Ltd in Monument, Colorado, remarked with regard to interviewing that “Job hunters need to do their research and show an interest that goes beyond pay, vacation time and the employer’s stability.”   I said, “YES” to that as well. So , go ahead and try something  your competition might not think about doing.

Do some research  about the company and  the industry so that you can ask focused questions when interviewed.  Such a strategy should demonstrate your genuine interest and enthusiasm about working for that company. Aim to set yourself apart from the competition making it totally obvious that you should be hired rather than the other guy or gal.

Looking for a Job: Brush Up On Your Work Skills

When you are out of a job and looking for work, it never hurts to brush up on your work skills.  What a better time to improve your skill at using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Access, etc.  When you’re working a 40-hour job (plus overtime in some cases), it can be difficult to fit additional training or classes into a busy schedule.  It should be easier to find the time now. Can’t afford to pay for it?  No problem. Many public libraries and state or county workforce centers offer classes for free.  They probably have computers loaded with the most recent versions for you  to practice on after class.   No tests and no grades.  Meet friendly people and you may even learn about a job lead. 

If you have you been out of the workforce for some time, perhaps you could use a refresher for some specific skills in your profession.  Chances are you could bone up with a book.  But, maybe there is a class you could take (that when completed) you could also add to your resume). There may even be government funds to pay for a class. In any case, workforce centers maintain lists of recommended educational institutions and they will help you beef up your skill sets.

To find a local workforce center, conduct a keyword search in any search engine by typing, “workforce center” and the county and/or state you live in.  You should be able to locate a workforce center near you.

A little bit more education can go along way to way to landing a good job and better pay.

Find Opportunities with Linkedin Groups

I am a big fan of joining Linkedin Groups.  To me, it’s one of the best features of Linkedin.  For one thing, it’s the quickest and easiest way to build a network.  When you join a group, your network of contacts will instantly expand for you will be linked to all of its members.  Then, whether you do an advanced search for people in a particular company or simply search by job title or keyword, it will be easier to identify people with whom you are already connected.

That’s not all. For job seekers, group sites all have a jobs’  link. Unlike other online job avenues, employers can add a job posting for free.  For employers, posting job opening on Linkedin makes sense. Postings publicized through groups cost nothing. Sites such as Monster and Careerbuilder, etc. , charge handsome fees for each listing.  From the job hunters’ perspective, many more people are searching the job boards than are using Linkedin groups to hunt for postings, hence the competition could be less (depending upon the size of the group).

Linkedin groups can be great sources of information about an industry or field.  Have a look at the discussion tab, to see what people are talking about.  Ask a question or post a comment.  You may even learn something new!

Now, for Questions and Answers.  At the top of the Linkedin page and under the heading, “More”, you will find a list called, “Answers.”  From here, you can either ask or answer questions.  When you answer questions about your area of expertise, it’s an opportunity to publicize your knowledge.  Here is an easy way to demonstrate what you know and in a setting that’s far less intimidating than an interview.  Not only will it show up within this section, it will appear in your profile. 

So, go ahead and make the most out of your Linkedin account!

Successful Job Interviews

In a tight job market, being able to interview well is essential.  The competition is keen and you really have to know how to close the deal.  In a tie-breaker between two candidates, the better interviewer will likely win the race. So, how do you edge out the competition in an interview?

1. Be sure to show up on time. So, allow enough travel time to avoid being late.
2. Dress appropriately to make a good appearance and err on the conservative side. You should sparkle and look ready and eager to work.
3. Do your homework.  Learn whatever you can about the employer/company. You can find information on the internet, reading newspapers and business periodicals.  Why?  When given the opportunity to ask questions, use it as an opportunity to learn more about the company. Plus, it will definitely show your interest and motivation.  Also, research the industry and find out the major players, trends, outlook, etc. Libraries are an excellent source of information by the way.   Demonstrating your knowledge about the company and industry may set you apart from your competition.
4. Research and practice sample interview questions.  Libraries have books you can use.  Or, try searching the Internet for questions pertaining to your field, industry or job title. 
5. Have a look at the web site, glassdoor.com.  It provides company reviews, interviewing information and more.
6. Be sure, to prepare for the tricky behavioral questions that start with, “Tell me a time when…. “or “What would you do if….”, or  “Suppose there was an electrical failure, what would you do”? You can find great sample questions like those and more by searching on the Internet by the way.

Then, practice!  practice!  practice!  Practice with someone else and try to replicate the setting.  How about a study room in your local library!

Have You Had a Look at Careeronestop?

Are you new at the challenge of looking for a job?  Or, are you interested in finding a new career?  Don’t know where to start?  Careeronestop is a web site well worth having a look at. Here is a very comprehensive  site that deals with just about everything related to careers, occupations, and the job search., run by the U.S. Department of Labor.  It’s your tax dollars at work and it’s money well-spent.

For anyone interested in careers, it provides information in great detail about a host of occupations.  Of course, you will find job descriptions, education requirements, detailed skills and abilities, and even specific jobs tasks and activities.  You will also find statistics about occupation trends by state and in the nation as a whole.

You wil also find statistics about occupations that are the fastest growing, with the most openings, the largest employments, and data about wages. Afterall, the U.S. Departments collects such data and compiles statistics anyway. Afterall, why not share it with the people who need it the most.

That’s not all.  Are you new at a job search and don’t know where to start? CareeroneStop offers tips on developing a plan. In order to conduct an effective job search, you need a strategy.  Your search needs structure and you need to figure out how to make the best use of your time.

Need some help writing a resume? CareerOneStop can help. It has tips, sample resumes, guides, and more.  If you need the right buzz words to add some pizazz, just have a look at the information they provide about occupations, mentioned above.

If you don’t know where to look for jobs, it has links to a myriad of job boards from the general to the specific. You will find private job boards as well as government-sponsored ones. 

I don’t think I can’t say enought about the merits of CareerOneStop.  Just give it a try!

Be a Sleuth for Job Leads

A job search is likely to involve a number of different approaches.  Although online applications and responding to postings on Monster, Indeed, and other job boards are fine, the rest of your time should be spent elsewhere.   Active networking is extremely important from telling everyone you know that you are looking for a job, to using online networking as in LinkedIn.

As a librarian, I like to encourage people to do research to identify growth industries and most importantly companies that are likely to be in a hiring mode. One way of finding information about companies is to read business publications. The business sections of local and national newspapers are great places to start.

However, my favorite publications for business or company-specific information are business newspapers. These days, such newspapers have both print and online versions. In Denver, Colorado, we are fortunate to have both the Denver Business Journal and ColoradoBiz Magazine.  Both of these publications  focus solely on business, industry and economic development. 

In fact, as a I was about to write this post, I found an article on ColoradoBiz Magazine, 50 Colorado Businesses to Watch.  Here are companies worth exploring for they have been cited for their exponential growth especially with regard to jobs. 

So, once you find companies that appear to have some potential in terms of jobs, read all you can about them starting from their website. Then, you can search for additional information by using article databases in your library such as Ebsco Business Source Premier, Lexis-Nexus, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.  Of course, do try searching the web with your favorite search engine.

Hopefully, you will have a number of companies worth contacting. Find contacts in ReferenceUSA (accessible at many public libraries) or try LinkedIn.   

That’s what the sleuth for job leads is all about.

Haven’t Looked for a Job in a Long Time? Things to do!

If you haven’t been active in the job market in a long time, you may need to get reacquainted.  Resume conventions and styles change.  Is a summary of qualifications “in”?  Or, how many years of experience should be revealed?  Or, should a resume be limited to one page?

How do you get those answers?  Talk to recruiters, career coaches or counselors, or of course, have a look at a recently published book for job seekers.  Career support groups and workforce centers are excellent options as well. 

Don’t forget Linkedin.  If you do not have a profile on Linkedin, be sure to create one.  HR managers may use it as an indicator of how savvy you are with technology or how “with-it you are.  No one is going to want to consider a candidate who appears  like a dinosaur.

Another reason to join Linkedin is to also join some groups.  You will find professional groups (finance, project management, marketing, etc) plus there are groups for job seekers.  All the groups maintain their own discussion boards and they are great forums to exchange information. 

In addition to open discussions, you will also find job postings on group pages that you may not see anywhere else.

Get onboard!

 

 

Over 50 and Looking for Work?

In my role as a business librarian in a public library, I work with people nearly everyday who are looking for work.  So, when the  New York Times reported in the fall of 2010 that 2.2 million unemployed workers were in the 50+ age bracket, it was no surprise to me. But, don’t think for a moment they don’t want to work.  It’s quite the opposite.  These are people who never envisioned being out of work at the twilight of their careers and they are struggling to get back on track.

So, if you’re over 50 and unemployed in America, you’ve got lots of company.  But, it’s no time, to feel sorry for yourself.  You may have to work harder than the younger ones, but sooner or later, it will be your time. That’s what you have to pound into your head.

Luckily, there’s help out there if you look for it. Workforce centers provide services for older workers. Arapahoe Douglas Works in the southern suburbs of Denver Colorado offers a program called, Fifty and Fabulous. The American Association of Retired Persons(AARP) is of course an advocate for the older worker. Their web site is chockablock with tips from resumes to interviewing.  Find about the best employers to work for if you are over 50. They also have a jobs database powered by Indeed.com.

Here are some other websites worth trying: retiredbrains.com, workforce50.com, and retirementjobs.com. 

Be sure to keep up to date with the latest technology. That means, social networking sites such as Linkedin.  Don’t resist it. Employers are looking for candidates who are nimble at using the latest techniques.  Once you’re on Linkedin, here is a group, you may want to join, “Interns over 40”.  There is always a lively discussion going on about the do’s and don’ts of the job hunt.