Reposition your job search for success - Sterling Career Concepts

Reposition your job search for success Reposition your job search for success As a member of the Career Collective blogging community of resume writers and career coaches, this post is one of many this month offering a mid-year job search checkup. I encourage you to visit other members responses linked at the end of my post and follow our hashtag on Twitter all month long: #careercollective. Weve passed the halfway mark of 2011 and are halfway through with summer as well. As with anything, its important to stop, take a step back, and assess your performance your hits as well as your misses. Ill break my assessment parameters down to what I consider three of the most commonly discussed components of ajob search online job boards, networking, and resumes. Are you posting your resume on all the big job boards but not getting much back in the way of quality leads? Try posting to niche boards instead. First, let me preface this with saying that Iam not a huge proponent of job boards, but if youre going to do it, do it right. I do agree that they can be a viable part of a larger job search plan. The danger is when job seekers place too much weight on them. The big job boards were never the most efficient job search method, but in recent history, have become known within the careers industry as one of the mostinefficient job search strategies out there.Plus, depending on your profile settings, youre leavingyourself susceptible to identity theft and/or caught by your current employer if youregainfully employed. Niche boards which may charge a subscription or other fee to join are built around an industry, geography, or job type, and are a more effective use of your time and efforts.Never say never, but for most job seekers out there, dont u pload your resume to Monster orCareerBuilder and expect too much. Are you networking from behind your computer? Try getting out of the house more often. Social media has changed a lot in the way of job searching, but sitting in front of your computer is still not the same as picking up the phone or getting out and meeting and speaking with people in person. Its been said before, and its worth repeating (and remembering) people hire people.At the end of the day, a company is hiring a person for each role, nota resume or a profile.It boils down to personal connections, chemistry, and fit. You cant generate or convey that from behind your computer. Are you using a one-size-fits-all resume and not getting called for as many interviews as youd like?Try customizing your resume for the position to which youre applying. This may or may not require working with a professional resume writer, but it will require more time and effort on your part. Before you tune me out, ask yourself how is y our one-size-fits-all resume working for you now? If its not securing you the interview you want, then why not try something new?Howmuch longer are you willing to wait that your existing resume will makethe phone startringing? Resumes targeted to specific job types include a focused headline and possible subheadline, a targeted list of keywords, and a streamlined presentation of your past experience as it relates to your job target. If youre not submitting a targeted resume, the next candidate may be. Its time to stop thinking that one resume can multi-task effectively in a job search.The dog days of summerare the perfecttime to take a break and reviewhow well your search is progressing and which changesyou could be making to jumpstart activity for the fall. Take the three questions above as a start to your own assessment. ________________________________Read along for more advice from my esteemed fellow members of the Career Collective: 4 Summer Strategies to Step Up Your Job Search, @DebraWheatman Putting Your Job Search Up On The Rack For Inspection, @dawnrasmussen Mid-Year Job Search Checkup: Are you wasting your time? @GayleHoward What is your unique value proposition? @keppie_careers It is Time for Your Check-up Ms/Mr Jobseeker, @careersherpa Mid-Year Career Checkup: Are You On Your Game? @KatCareerGal How to Perform a Mid-Year Job Search Checkup, @heatherhuhman Mid-Year Job Search Checkup: Whats working and Whats not? @erinkennedycprw Mid-Year Job Search Check-Up: Getting Un-Stuck, @JobHuntOrgMid-Year Check Up: The Full 360, @WalterAkana 5 Tips for Fighting Summer Job Search Blues, @KCCareerCoach Are you positive about your job search? @DawnBugni Where Are The Jobs? @MartinBuckland, @EliteResumes Mid-Year Job-Search Checkup: Get Your Juices Flowing, @ValueIntoWords When Was Your Last Career Job Search Check Up? @expatcoachmegan Is Summer A Job Search Momentum Killer? @TimsStrategy Is It Time for Your Resume Checkup?