Searching, preparing for, and finding a better job is not quick, easy or effortless. It takes an effective strategy and determination. A recent client told me he sent out 5 or 6 resumes, got 3 interviews and accepted a higher paying job. His friends sent out hundreds of resumes without much luck. The difference? A targeted strategy, a new set of skills, and Intensive preparation for each part of the search process. Here are some steps:
DEFINE UNIQUE EXPERIENCES – What can you do better than most? Usually each of us has a unique skill or experience that a hiring manager is looking for in a candidate. Sort out what you do well where others have difficulty. Define how that skill or experience can add value to an organization. Your uniqueness is the differentiator. Showcasing your solutions make a hiring manager take notice.
TAILORED, UPDATED AND RESULTS-DRIVEN RESUME – Take your past experiences and convert them into measurable results. It’s the articulation of results that’s important. For each job you want to pursue, match your skills, experience and results with the key items on the position description. Each resume must be tailored to each position description. Update your resume, to focus on measurable results, pairing them with each line item on the position description.
DEVELOP A NEW SET OF SKILLS – Searching for the right job in today’s world is very different than even 3 years ago. Preparation in video technology and skills in remote interviewing are the keys. Know what the most likely questions will be (there are 50 of them) and anticipate your answers based on your resume content. Prepare the best answer to each question beforehand and practice your best responses: Telephone interviews, video interviews, panel or group interviews, the hiring manager interview, and an interview with the boss’s boss. Each interview requires a different preparation and strategy.
NETWORK YOUR CONNECTIONS – My experience is that about 50% of jobs come from a network connection, and about 50% from a non-network source. Work both of them. Your network connections are with current and past colleagues, bosses, peers, neighbors, friends and most anyone you’ve been in contact with and can attest to your potential contribution. Non-network sources are platforms that collect and publish open jobs, like Indeed.com, Monster.com, USAjobs.gov, and so on. If you’re targeting a specific company/sector, go to their website.
EXPAND YOUR PRESENCE – Contact your professional associations for job opportunities. Access your alumni association, past professors in your specialty, or the website under the name of a certification or additional course work. Seek jobs through LinkedIn and other social media sources.
The average time to find a new and better job is three to six months, depending upon the supply/demand equation. Look for niche jobs within your field, like cost accounting within the accounting sector or forensic accounting with a new certification.
In today’s marketplace, the opportunities are waiting for talented individuals. Prepare now.
For a FREE critique of your resume, send it to: wkaufmann44@gmail.com