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In a bad economy, three are many who are looking for jobs, increasing the competition in a narrow job pool. Here are some tips to consider while navigating the process of job hunting.
The Résumé
Résumés should put your best foot forward, indeed. There is a certain way to present yourself in the best light. For example, if you are a small store manger of two employees, rather that write Manager, two employees, it is better to write Manager, responsible for scheduling, training, and supervising small staff. There are also both online samples and templates to use along with résumé polishing services to make your résumé stand out.
Do be careful about over stating and lying, whether by omission or misstating. Because the market is competitive, more and more companies are using services such as Back Check to make sure résumés are believable. There are several unethical things people do in résumés. One is lying by omission, another is misrepresentation, and a third is embellishing. The worst transgression is falsifying credentials. Businesses are also concerned about adding job experiences that applicants have never had. The next worse mistake is lying by omission. If you are trying to hide unfavorable information, it is best to address it up front rather than let a back checker find it. And, it can be found unless you are omitting an experience or incident that is connected with a company which no longer exists or with a person who is no longer available for contact. Last is embellishment. Within certain professions, some embellishment like fancy job titles is easily recognizable anyway and does not have the desired effect, so why do it? Other embellishment walks a fine line between a lie and an attempt to show you are willing to take on a challenge and that you are ambitious. Best to weight saying you can do something you’ve never done before, for example; consider if you are conveying something positive or misrepresenting yourself?
The Cover Letter
When the job market is tight, you have to write a cover letter that will grab the reader’s attention. Of course, first you want to include the basics. The basics include
- Telling them what job you are applying for and how you heard about the job,
- Explaining how you meet their qualifications and fleshing out your résumé,
- Spell checking the letter, and
- Keeping the letter to one-page.
But you will also need a little finesse. Some tips for finessing are
- Make sure it is professional but also personal. A little humor is good as long as you’re not cute.
- Catch the reader in the first paragraph. You can start with a statement that will pique curiosity: I was able to improve my last company’s gross sales 25% in one year or My last ad campaign net national attention. or Given the ideas I have for technical improvements, I feel I can boost your efficiency by 15%.
- Research the company and be able to identify how you will fit with that company.
- Address your letter to a specific person.
- Set a date and time to check back to make sure they have received you application and see if they have questions.
Networking
What is networking? It’s creating for yourself a broad list of contacts, particularly for hunting for a job. Many jobs are not advertised, especially as you enter higher level jobs.
Begin a network by adding your family, friends, and neighbors. Broaden out from this list to co-workers, colleagues, former co-workers and colleagues, former bosses, and teachers. Make sure to go to conferences where you will meet people you know and don’t know from your professional area. Also stay in touch, at least for holidays, but also through regular emails, even by phone calls. Be sure to ask for help to keep a dialogue going and follow up contacts with thank yous and a note to let people know what your status in your job search or your career is.
Once a network has been formed the people in your network can be invaluable in giving you job leads, information about job or company you are applying to, and advice. And, they can introduce you to other people who can help in these areas.
What to Do Between to Boost Your Chances for a New Job
Employers may well ask you what you have done since you were pink slipped or while you’ve been hunting for a job. Of course, they want to know if you have languished or succumbed. You will want to consider options that show you have not giving in and that you have pursued worthwhile goals.
Education
Take courses at a local college to refresh your skills or improve them is one option. You may also take this study time to expand your talents by learning about things you have always had an interest in which could lead you to another career. You might investigate courses that offer internships or co-op experiences to give you a foot in the door to a job, or you could enroll in a higher degree program. If so, you can obtain grants and /or scholarships for such education. When you pursue educational goals you are showing you are proactive.
Volunteering
If you can afford to, you might give your time to your community or to a program abroad. You will learn new skills and explore new area if life. In order to better afford such opportunity you could consider subletting, lending your car if the driver will pay the insurance, or even doing a house swap. If you work for a non-profit, you may also expand networking opportunities, and if you go aboard you can show your sense of adventure.
Taking a Lesser Job
Some unemployed persons will have to work to survive, often in a lower level capacity for less money or even for hourly wage. However, doing so may allow you to work into a permanent job or parley they skills you learned into your own business or another career. In the mean time, you are showing your responsibly and coping ability.
Good Luck out there!
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