Yet, the starting point of your successful job search is NOT your resume. Nor any other part of a traditional approach.
You see, a traditional job search is passive at the very time when employers are looking for someone who can demonstrate they are proactive. It's one of the many changes that's occurred in the 21st Century. Employers today want to meet a candidate who
* Understand the organization.
* Can show how to make a difference.
* Can demonstrate quantifiable contributions.
* Isn't afraid to ask for a job.
* Knows how to cut a deal.
From this you can see that the focal point of a job search must respond to the needs and expectations of the employer. The job seeker needs and their work history are of secondary importance.
The resume has become such an accepted icon that typically it's the very first thing we think of when we're considering a job search. We attach such meaning to resume that we engage in an all-consuming pursuit to get it right.
If we don't know any better, we operate on the belief that resumes get jobs. What's more, we think if we can get out resume in front of enough employers, something has to click. The facts of life are
1. Traditional resumes can work against you because they put you right in the middle of your competition. You become just another number.
2. Resumes are screened, rarely by the person who will be hiring you.
3. An employer initially scans a resume in less that 50 seconds. So 2 or 3 pages crammed with work history and accomplishments probably won't make any difference.
4. A generic resume (one size fit all) can't address the specific needs of the employer.
5. You're turning over your job search to someone else . . . you're letting a screener decide whether a job is right for you.
6. You lose your negotiating leverage because you're letting someone else hold all the cards.
The good news is that there is a better way! Using alternative and non-traditional strategies you can lock up a high-paying job in 14 days (or less).
With jobs more difficult to find and competition fierce, you need any edge that will make your job hunt easier, or at the very least, more organized. A great job may conceivably have over one hundred applicants, so it is hard to make yourself visible without being overly aggressive or too pushy. The way you step ahead of the pack is simply by taking some of the right steps that make any employer notice you.
First, you need clarity in your own mind concerning the type of job for which you will be applying. If you are unsure where to begin, plan your job search according to your qualifications and life interests. To simply look through help wanted ads or the Internet without knowing what you want in a job will waste a lot of your time and lead to almost inevitable discouragement.
The most important tangible item an employer sees is your resume. Without a polished, clean looking, and organized resume, you will not get your foot in the door for an interview, much less the position. Therefore make sure that you have all the pertinent information required on a typical resume, and verify that it reads well.
You can accomplish this by incorporating ?power? words that show off your responsibilities from prior jobs. Your resume should stand out without being "over the top." There are many online sites that help you learn how to prepare a great resume so your employers will be impressed by not only your credentials, but your professionalism as well.
A high quality resume will significantly improve your chances of receiving a call for an interview if you make sure you match your qualifications with the job you are pursuing. You do not want a resume that is too long (one page is preferable, two is maximum) or one that has too much fluff and is devoid of helpful content.
By sticking to the basics of work you have previously done and making it relevant to the job in which you are applying, you show the employer that you know their time is valuable by getting right to the point. Additionally, avoid writing a one-size-fits-all resume that is so generic it looks like a template. This is because most employers will simply spot your time-and-effort-savings technique and overlook your work.
If you have not had much relevant work experience but want to land the position with opportunities to move ahead down the road, consider adding some additional achievements in your resume. Make them factual and relevant to help your potential employer understand what you are capable of accomplishing.
This is a way of advertising yourself and which communicates you have the capability of handling the job successfully even if you haven't had much experience. Do not list any weak points on your resume; that is not the time to tell them what you cannot do. (Your weaknesses will likely be asked of you during an interview.)
Finally, make sure to spend a good amount of time writing and polishing your resume. It takes time to advertise yourself, and by putting it together quickly or haphazardly, you will only fail to make the positive impression that you need to stand out from the crowd.
Both Paul Megan & Mort Ferguson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Paul Megan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Employment, Careers and Job Hunting and Employment. Check out The World's Fastest Job Search System! Grab our stunning FREE REPORT: "How To Lock Up A High-Paying Job In 14 Days (Or Less)!" Discover tons of FREE job search tips and strategies!. Paul Megan's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.
Mort Ferguson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Interview Questions and Cover Letter. For practical information, see www.job-hunting-careers.com, a popular site providing insights concern. Mort Ferguson's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.