So you have taken action and hired a professional resume writer! Now the phone calls should be pouring in ASAP! Right? Well, not exactly...
Yes, your resume is an essential job search tool and if you don't prepare it well, you will hinder your job search from the very beginning. Yet, know that hiring a professional resume writer is only the first step. Here are the components of an aggressive and effective job search campaign:
1. An amazingly alluring and employer focused resume.
Craft a resume that is relevant by only including data that positions you as the best-qualified professional. Let go of information that no longer serves you. Write everything on your resume, matching the job requirements and meeting your future employer's needs.
2. Post your resume to the top on-line career sites.
Create an ASCII resume and post to job search sites like Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, Indeed.com,Hotjobs.com, jobs.com. Keep your account active by revisiting your resume every three weeks and updating it or tweaking it a bit; this will ensure you are included in a recent account search.
Also, remember to add resume keywords to your profile, the name of the resume, title you are giving your active resume account. Especially include resume keywords in the top first half of your resume so that you optimize keyword effectiveness.
3. Network with others on LinkedIN, Visual CV, Twitter.
Building an internet presence is highly effective and vital! People will google (verb) you to see if they can learn something about you! Control what is out there regarding your reputation. More importantly, enlarge your network, meet others, and allow them to help you.
Linked-IN will enable you to create an on-line profile and connect with those in your industry. You can send periodic alerts announcing you are job searching. Approach others in a position to help you.
Visual CV is a great way to have an on-line web resume. If you ever find yourself in a situation where your resume is needed, you can simply provide them with your Linked in account or your Visual CV address. I know you don't carry your resume around. Am I right?
Via Twitter, you can follow career professionals who will: 1. Provide you with advice, 2. Share links to career opportunities, and 3. Will announce available job openings and keep you abreast of the latest.
Here a few I recommend you Follow on Twitter (They have also been my Follow Fridays). You can also follow me @resumeservice:
@eExecutives
@alisondoyle
@ValueIntoWords
@GayleHoward
@HRCGroup
@GradToGreat
@JobHuntOrg
@dawnbugni
@Resume_Writer
@Gradversity
@rezlady
@mypromotion
@crisjobcoach
@MartinBuckland
@RecruitingTruth
@Louise_fletcher
@heatherhuhman
@tim_woods
@KrisColvin
@JasonAlba
@Barry_at_IMPACT
@Devoted2HR
@danschawbel
@HR4Change
@interviewbest
@Lindseypollak
@careerdiva
@toryjohnson
@tts28
@careerhero
@keppie_Careers
@CJWebster
@StevenRothberg
@SpinStrategy
@TheJobsGuy
@jacobshare
@chrisrussell
@leaddawg
@laurieBerenson
@jtodonnell
@jobsearchcoach
@noodleplace
@RiseSmart
@joblister
@IGotaJobToday
@jobshouts
(More to come I am sure. Check out Job Search Link page for updates)
4. Compile a list of companies you might want to work for and contact them directly.
Search in Google for companies you wish to work for. Find out who is in their HR or hiring department and email them your resume. This is a strategic way of getting to positions before they are even posted as some companies don't go to major on line career sites to post. Cover all bases!
Another strategy I recommend you implement is to search for your ideal position in different search engines like Yahoo, MSN, and Google so that you view a variety of results.
For example, you cold key in something like this: Senior Manager + Retail + Wanted 2009. You can play around with the words. Basically, you want to try and guess the key words a job ad will include so that the search engine's spider (robot that sorts websites) can find those words and produce those job posting results.
5. Find the Hidden Job Market: Which companies are new in your area?
I know everything is done on-line and so that is why also including smaller, maybe newer companies within your travel radius will help you find opportunities not everyone knows about.
6. Carry business cards with you that include your personal information plus your qualifications.
Don't miss out on an opportunity because you did not have your resume on you, did not remember your Linked in address, or had no way of writing down your email address. Prepare networking cards and be ready at all times to aggressively pursue that new job!
7. Keep track of your job search leads.
Track when you sent your resume, who responded, what you liked about them and the company. Be very careful and organized. An excellent jobsearch management tool is JibberJobber.
8. Follow up with every one and thank them!
It does not matter if the lead was personal or professional; if it turned out the help you land a job or not -- still thank every person that attempted to assist you. Help them remember you next time.
Remember that job searching is a full time job!
As always, if you need assistance please email rvargas@creatingprints.com
Rosa E. Vargas
Certified Resume Writer
Jobsearch Consultant
