|
|
^ click above ^
|
|
05.16.03
 Are
you feeling stalled in your job-search efforts? Are employers and
recruiters ignoring you? Do you wonder what you could do to improve
your job-search results? Maybe I can help. As a former headhunter,
I am known as “the Career Strategist.” In my work as
a career coach and resume writer I am often asked such questions
as: How do I find more job leads? How do I know what to put in my
resume? Why can’t I get interviews? Are cover letters really
important? How do I prepare for my next interview?
Email career and job search questions to: Deb@AlphaAdvantage.com
By Deborah Walker,
CCMC
When you were a child, did you ever play a game
called “king of the hill?” In my childhood neighborhood we had a
low sand hill just right for playing king of the hill. A dozen of
us would rush to the hill to scramble and push our way to the top.
The hill only allowed one person on top—the king, the champ.
The competition of a job search is much like playing king
of the hill. Instead of a hill, it’s a job opening. But the rules
of the game are about the same—one hill, lots of players and only
one winner. Only now, the stakes are much higher.
|
In
today’s competitive job market, how does one become Job-Search
King of the Hill? The answer—exercise better job search skills.
The four essential job search skills are:
1) Effective resume and cover letter writing
2) Uncovering job leads
3) Interview preparation
4) Salary negotiation
1) Effective resume and
cover letter writing
Your cover letter and resume are your first contact with potential
employers. Make the most of the opportunity by written communication
that sets you apart from the
crowd. Here is a hint that’s guaranteed to make you stand out.
Focus your resume on accomplishments rather than responsibilities.
For every accomplishment ask yourself, “how was this significant?
How did this affect my employer’s bottom line?” Your resume
will catch attention no matter the level of competition because
you’ve answered the reader’s question, “what can this candidate
do for my company?”
2) Uncovering job leads
Before your resume can do any good at all, you’ve got to find
job leads. This is sometimes the trickiest part of the job search
process because a good percentage of job opportunities are found
in the hidden job market—job leads that aren’t yet
public knowledge. Think about this
for a moment, what’s more competitive, jobs that are posted
for the whole world to see or jobs openings that haven’t hit
the want ads or online job boards? Which would you rather interview
for?
There
are several ways of uncovering job leads in the hidden job market.
One of the most efficient is simply networking with persons
within your sphere of
influence. Just ask around. Always
ask “who do you know that might know of a position that matches
my qualifications?”
Another highly effective, inexpensive method of uncovering leads
is through targeted email distribution of your resume. There
are many reputable services
online that allow you to target your distribution by industry,
company size and
geography. One caution—avoid resume
blasting services. Blasting means your resume ends up everywhere
but where you really want it: with employers most likely to
have positions of interest to you.
3) Interview preparation
Once your resume has passed the screener’s desk and you’re invited
for an interview, keep your competitive edge with pre-interview
preparation. There are many outstanding interview prep books
out there, but my all-time favorite is 101
Answers to the Toughest Interview
Questions by Ron Fry. It’s just recently been re-released and
available in most book stores. A couple of hours with this book
and you’ll be better prepared than most job seekers.
4) Salary negotiation
You’ve made it through the interviews with flying colors and
you’ve just received the phone call—they want you to extend
an offer. Don’t miss the opportunity to give yourself a nice
raise. Go in prepared to negotiate for a better starting salary.
First, dollarize your worth. Demonstrate through quantifiable
accomplishments that you are a high return on investment. Second,
make sure you have the regional
statistics for the salary range. The Occupational
Outlook Handbook is a good source for that information. You
can find them at http://www.bls.gov/oco/.
Third, always let them be the first to state a salary or range.
Don’t inadvertently walk away from several thousand dollars
by answering their question, “So what would it
take to get you to come on board?”
They might have a higher number in mind. And last, your bargaining
power is the greatest if you have other offers on the table.
Don’t turn down interviews with companies you’re not interested
in. Those could turn into offers that increase your desirability
as a candidate and ability to command the top of the salary
range for the position you really want.
Once you’ve earned you position as
“King of the Hill”, you’ll be less concerned with job security
knowing the only real job security lies within your own ability
to compete within the job market.
About the Author:
Deborah Walker is a Certified Career Management Coach.
Her expertise includes resume writing and career coaching. She
holds membership in the National Resume Writer’s Association.
As a former headhunter, her advice comes from an insider’s
prospective based on years working with HR professionals and
corporate hiring managers. She creates resumes with a strong
marketing message that position her clients above their competition.
Her coaching clients sharpen their job-search skills while gaining
a comprehensive job-search strategy aimed at quick results.
Visit her at: http://www.AlphaAdvantage.com
|
|
|
|
