While the overall economy has improved somewhat, jobs are still tough to find. The unemployment numbers in Indiana have steadily increased over the past few months. The lack of job growth has resulted in a new jobs package being introduced to Congress by President Barack Obama.
While the federal initiative may help job candidates down the road, there are a few things that can be done to help immediately. Job candidates can make some subtle changes in the way they approach the job search that can bring instant gratification.
These subtle changes begin at the beginning - with the resume. Unless a job candidate gets a chance to make a first impression with an elevator speech, their resume makes the first impression for them.
In today's competitive job market, job candidates need as much leverage as they can muster to land their next job. Their resume needs to stand out above all the rest, without being unprofessional. The samples used need to be presented in such a way that is easily accessible to the potential employer. Waiting for a slow Web page to load or using a MySpace page as the portfolio site is not going to make the cut.
Another subtlety that can make a big difference is personal contact. Not everyone lives in a virtual world.
Candidates need to have a way to stand out from the other 1,000 people that applied for the same job. Here are a few tips that may help bring the spotlight right where it belongs.
1) All through the job search, candidates need to apply to companies that are not actively seeking applications. Candidates should not wait for the help wanted sign to go up. They should actively read the business section of the paper and trade magazines to learn which businesses are growing and posting profits. Then candidates should send their resume and cover letter explaining what they can bring to the organization. If the company has a need and sees talent in the resume, they may make a move.
2) It's not all online these days. No matter what others say, picking up the phone and making a call can make the day. Many hiring managers and recruiters still like real communication with a human. Most communication is done via e-mail and recruiters don't get the total picture of a person without that verbal communication. A perfect example would be a follow-up phone call after the interview. No one does that much anymore, and it makes a difference to hiring managers.
3) A resume is never one-size-fits-all. Job candidates need to be flexible. They can't just try to sell what they want to sell; they have to sell what the hiring manager is buying. They have to make sure that their resume fits the position and the organization. Hiring managers look at skill set, education, experience and where the experience came from. They want to make sure that the candidate is going to fit into the corporate culture.
4) Job candidates need to make sure that their resume is easy on the eyes. A good analogy is to make a resume like a billboard ad. The candidate needs to get the message across in a short time at a high speed. The hiring manager received 1,000 resumes. How many will stand out when they get a brief once-over? Candidates need to use bullet points, and leave white space so it's easy on the eyes to read. The resume is high level - the details come out in the interview.
5) A resume should be a success story. A job candidate should make sure to include several career achievements. Choose one or two of these career success stories to go on the resume. They should be in a very brief form near the top of page one. These examples of what the candidate has done and can do grab the hiring manager's attention.
6) Analyze several job postings in the field. Develop a list of keywords from those postings that can be you incorporated into the resume under a subheading entitled 'core competencies.' Hiring mangers search their database of resumes by keyword, so having these terms on a resume increases the chances of being selected for further review.
7) Believe it or not, a cover letter that is well written is still very important. Never start a cover letter with "To Whom It May Concern". Try very hard to get a person's name in the Human Resource or Personnel department. If not, simply say 'Greetings' or 'Hello.' Also, skip the "This letter is in regards to your ad' statement. It's obvious why a cover letter and resume were sent - for a job. A candidate should jump in to why they should be considered.
8) A cover letter is a great place for a candidate to share a good story about what they have accomplished. A good story, especially if it can be tied to the job opening, can show why the candidate would be the best choice for the job. It can also be an opportunity to show some creativity.
9) A good cover letter and resume can result in an interview. This is where a candidate can explain why they are a good fit to the organization. Often people peruse a job for no other reason than it is available. But a job candidate needs to sell the hiring manager on why they and the company are a good match.
10) Job candidates need to keep their interview answers job-related. Many job candidates start off the interview on the wrong note when they respond to the statement, ‘Tell me about yourself'. Job candidates give a personal response instead of a professional response. A response will be translated into a 'Hire me' statement if responses are tailored to the position applied for.
Many hard-working candidates with excellent skills are unemployed or underemployed. It's not for lack of trying.
Hiring managers and recruiters are deluged with resumes whether they have posted job openings or not. It is an unfortunate result of the Great Recession and its impact on the American workforce.
But candidates who get creative can find ways through the bureaucratic maze of paperwork. Tips like the ones listed above can help candidates get their application in the spotlight - and keep it there.
Source: http://www.nwitimes.com/business/jobs-and-employment/creative-techniques-and-resume-writing-can-help-job-candidates-shine/article_ec9775ff-ca2e-5f75-a957-bf0aad2394ef.html#ixzz1cz5wyrdJ
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