Are you one of the newly unemployed? Have you been unemployed for more than 12 months? This advice is good for both groups- although some may not want to hear it.
There are jobs out there. I have clients getting jobs each week. I have employers coming to me and telling me about jobs they have and asking if I have a client to fill them. So, why are you still unemployed?
If you really want to get a job here are a few tips to get you there:
1. A resume is a good start but not the finish.
You must have a good solid vetted resume ready to go now. Have it ready to email via pdf format and have it ready to go in the postal mail, better yet UPS or FedEx or the ultimate hand-carry to your next job home. Your resume has to tell the hiring party why you are well qualified for the job and that you have skills that they desire. Keep the rest to a minimum and maximize impact by paying close attention to what they want and then addressing how you have all of that in your resume.
2. Don't neglect the cover letter. It's your "IN".
I helped a local non-profit hire for a few positions in the last few months. We had hundreds of applicants for each open position but at least half didn't even care enough to send a cover letter! Read that again. For me, as the hiring party, I put each of those resumes in the trash can (shredder really) without even a second glance. Your cover letter is your first impression and introduction to the hirer to let them know why they should even look at your resume and dare ask you in for an interview. Don't be lazy. Do your homework on the company, the position, key employees and then write a cover to dazzle.
3. Network. If you don't like it. Learn to. If you don't know how. Learn to. The calls I get from employers asking if I know a prize candidate are because of my relationships. You need to have them, relationships, many and strong. Get out of your house. Go to groups, meetings, coffee houses, .... Meet people and get to know them. Let them know you are looking and looking for what. If you do well networking you will have men and women all over the city looking for jobs for you.
4. Review all of my blog postings about employment and looking for jobs. I hate to repeat myself. There is some good and useful information throughout my postings over the years. Timeless information. So, keep reading.
If you want 3 more tips email me (and tell me about yourself in 3 sentences or less).
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
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1 comment:
Excellent advice Lisa! When I first graduated college, I hated doing a cover letter, but I quickly learned the utility behind it. With places getting flooded with resumes from recent college grads, most resumes look the same (even if you had an internship), so I learned that the cover letter was the one place I could expand on my resume and state how my skills were a match with what they were looking for.
Now, if I can only force myself to network more :)
Great post, and great advice!
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