Self-Help Stop

Job searching today is not the same as it was even a few years ago. There are a lot more applicants for jobs so Human Resources and hiring managers look for ways to limit the number of people they will interview. This has made LinkedIn more important than ever. From writing a resume, polishing your social profiles, to presenting yourself well in the interview, the tips below will help you in your search.

Resumes

Because of today’s technology for screening resumes, it is not a good idea to use columns or tables in your resume. The software that processes your resume cannot read text in columns or tables. But don’t worry, there are other ways to make your resume stand out.

• Employers want to know HOW WELL you did your job not a list of your duties.
• Write your descriptions in the form of accomplishments and quantify your experience by adding dollar amounts for budgets managed, number of employees supervised, etc.
• Use the same vocabulary from the job posting on your resume to ensure a high score by the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that compare your resume to the job posting.
• Put the job title you want at the top, next to your name. You want the hiring manager to associate your name with the job title. It’s a psychological thing.
• A hiring manager only spends about 6 seconds on each resume, so you have to make it easy for them to see what is most important.
• Limit experience to ten years and the resume to a maximum of 2 pages. Use 1-inch margins all around and a 12-point sans serif font. Do not use tables or columns.

Cover Letters

Surprisingly, employers still ask for a cover letter, so it’s good to know how to write one.

• Start the letter with something catchy so you can grab attention from the start.
• Summarize what you can do for the prospective employer. Avoid repeating what you’ve written in the resume.
• Highlight those skills, talents and abilities that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Use some of the same words and phrases from the job description. Those will pop out to the hiring manager.
• Let the prospective employer get to know you a little. Try to make a connection. This is challenging and you must be careful not to be unprofessional.

LinkedIn

Your LinkedIn profile is a critical part of your job search. Human Resources personnel and hiring managers will look at your profile to help them decide whether to interview you or not. The profile is a great way to show prospective employers how skilled you are and what kind of a person you are to work with. Take some time to thoroughly complete as many sections as you can (especially the About and skills sections) and get endorsements and recommendations.

Join appropriate professional groups and follow thought leaders in your industry or job family as well as leaders or entrepreneurs in other fields who you admire. Be a thought leader. Share information relevant to your profession on LinkedIn. It will also take some effort to maintain your profile over time, but it will be worth every minute when you secure the job you want!

General Job Searching Tips

• Brand yourself. Your resume and social media should show that you are experienced and appropriately and sufficiently skilled and knowledgeable to do the job you are applying for.
• Be neutral in social media posts while you are searching for a job. If your Facebook profile is public, limit past posts if you’ve shared anything political or too personal.
• Connect with friends and co-workers on social media. Let them know when you’re looking for a job. Ask them to let you know about job openings and to refer/recommend you. Your connections can help you bypass ATS and HR screenings and get your resume in front of the hiring manager.

Interviewing

When you get an interview, the hiring manager already knows you are qualified. They want to see if you will be a good fit for them, the team, and the company. You are selling yourself — your skills, your experience, your personality.

Before the Interview

• Practice answering questions in front of a mirror or video yourself. Pay attention to your body language and how you speak. You want to project confidence.
• To help with anxiety, practice breathing exercises.

The Interview

Be prepared to answer both traditional and behavioral questions as well as the dreaded “Tell me about yourself.” Be honest and be yourself. That’s really what interviewers want.

• When you talk about yourself, your strengths and challenges, keep it brief and professional.
• For behavioral questions use the PAR method — Problem, Action, Result. Select an example from a previous job or internship. Be sure to explain what you learned when you discuss the outcome.

Be prepared to ask the interviewer(s) at least 4 or 5 questions about company culture, management style, what the interviewers like best about working for the organization, position or team priorities, most desirable attributes for candidates, and the timeline to fill the position. Respond to the answers given to your questions. Don’t pass up any opportunity to highlight that you are the best candidate.

Finish strong by reiterating your interest in the position and briefly summarizing why you’re the best fit.

After the Interview

Reflect on the meeting and make note of anything that will help you perform even better in the future. Write a different thank you email to each interviewer. Be straightforward and professional and keep it to one or two paragraphs.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes it is helpful to seek out the services of a coach to help plan, prepare, and execute your job search. A coach can also offer support and help you adjust to the new position. It is also important to increase your self-care while job searching and to make time for family, friends, and fun.

For a more comprehensive job search guide, check out my workbook/planner of the same name in my Etsy shop: Your Self-Help Shop.