Job-Search-Techniques category archive

I probably shouldn’t give this secret out. I could be helping someone who is less qualified for a particular job win out over better quality candidates.

However, working in a job center, I have often seen the very best job candidates struggle to get a job because of a secret that I have discovered – and I want to get it into their hands too. Often times, I see these top (and well-deserving) candidates consistently get beat out by candidates that are far less qualified who either know this secret or more often stumble upon it by accident

What I’m about to tell you is a job search technique that can instantly convert a person who has been submitting applications everywhere with no call backs to a person whose phone is ringing off the hook.

Okay, let me get to the meat of the matter. This secret works because the rules of how job applications are processed have changed due to the over-saturation of the current job market – there are MANY more job applicants than there are jobs to fill. The consequence of this is that almost every job opening, even those that would have been considered less desirable several years ago, gets so many applicants that the hiring team becomes overwhelmed.

There are only so many hours in a work day, even if you are willing to work over-time and take work home with you. People in charge of hiring at companies and organizations are often some of the hardest working people there. They work long hours. It’s very stressful and they have been forced to become masters of multi-tasking to try to squeeze more productivity out of their hectic day.

When they get so many applications, they MUST find a way to shorten the time it takes to go through them all. From my conversations with them, the most common way they accomplish that is by just going through and reading all the cover letters first – WITHOUT bothering to read the resume and other materials (like glowing letters of recommendation).

Keep in mind when I say “read” I actually mean skim until something really interesting catches their attention and they slow down and really take a good look. It probably means while they’re multi-tasking as well. I’ve been in these guy’s offices and their world is a really busy one where every second counts.

You can gain an immediate UNFAIR ADVANTAGE over almost all the other applicants by putting the information I just gave you to good use.

By including a totally UNIQUE cover letter that really stands out and is worded in such a way and formatted in such a way that it catches the attention of the hiring manager on a quick scan, you drastically increase your odds over the other applicants of getting called in for an interview and having the rest of your application actually read.

With all the layoffs that have taken place over the last couple of years, it’s no wonder that many of those who are still employed often feel stretched to the maximum of their productivity. It can be very demanding looking for another job when your current one is continually stressing you out. After all, when you get home from a long and frustrating day, the last thing you want to do is give any more thought to the world of work. Unfortunately, most new jobs don’t just fall into your lap-you have to go out and get them. Approaching your job search as strategically and as systematically as you would approach your next business deal can help keep the process manageable.

Initiation

If you were going to start a huge new project at work, would your first step be to just sit down and start the project? Of course not! A lot of planning and preparation go into any major project, and your job search should be no different. Therefore, the first step is NOT to sit down and start sending out dozens of generalized resumes to any job that sounds OK. Your first task should be to determine exactly what you’re looking for in your next position. Just like you can’t write a project plan until you know what the project is, you simply cannot write an effective resume or cover letter without some idea of where you’d like your career to go. You may find this part of the process to be the most time-consuming, as it requires some soul searching, however, it’s an essential step in the process that must not be skipped.

Planning

Once you’ve determined your professional goals, you’re ready to spend some time assembling your marketing tools-a cover letter, resume, and any other pertinent documents that support your message. This is essentially the same process as setting up a project at work; you need both plans and human resources for an effective job search. A professional resume writer can be an invaluable tool for a job seeker who’s incredibly busy with his or her current vocation. Any resume writer will need you to gather and submit information about your past positions and achievements, but then let go of the reins; allowing the professional to agonize over each individual line on your resume will remove that weight from your own shoulders.

Execution

Only when you’ve established a goal and pulled together the tools needed to accomplish it should you actually start looking for and applying to jobs. Setting up e-mail alerts through sites like simplyhired.com or indeed.com can save you hours of scouring through online employment ads. If you tackle your search in a strategic and systematic manner, you should soon reach a place where you can go to your inbox, look through positions that may be a good fit for you, and then simply customize your polished resume for each application. Consider each quality job application you send off as a deliverable in the project of finding yourself another job. Whenever you successfully land your next position, you’ll be able to close out this project and move on to the next one!