Refresh the Job Search and Get Hired This Spring

Spring-Cleaning[3]Snap out of hibernation and get applying with these tips

With spring finally here and the gloom of winter behind us, there’s a sense of new beginnings in the air. And with that comes the possibility of a new job to propel your career forward.

“When the weather starts to warm up, both employers and job seekers shake off the winter blues and the job market starts to come out of hibernation.”

So, to help you break out of the winter slump and into a productive job hunt, here are three steps to get you defrosted and back in the game.

1. Reflect on Your Process

Now’s a great time to look back at which resume and cover letter hailed a reply from a hiring manager, and which ones disappeared into the great unknown. “Paraphrasing a wise philosopher,” says Twersky, “we should remember the past lest we repeat its mistakes.”

If you’ve been keeping a list of your job search—which, hey, you should do—mark all the jobs you didn’t hear back from. If you still have the resumes and covers for those positions, take a look and see if you can spot why a hiring manager may have passed.

Repeat this process with the companies that you did hear back from to see what you did there to grab their eye.

This is a great way to do a quick self-assessment, and you might actually glean some valuable information for moving forward in your search.

2. Purge and Update the Resumes

Now that you’ve assessed your old resumes and cover letters, it’s time to toss them.

Get rid of the outdated resumes that clutter your desktop, keeping only your most up-to-date ones. And if it’s been awhile since you’ve updated your resume, remember it only needs to cover the past 10 to 15 years.

If you think your resume might be the thing that’s been holding back your job search, well, now’s the time to do something about it. Either take some serious time to really make your resume stand out, or hire a pro, to get some expert help.

And if you’re not already using Google Docs to manage your resumes, consider giving it a shot. With all your application materials stored on the Cloud, you’ll still be able to access all your latest resumes and apply for a job even when you’re not at your home computer.

3. Get Interview Ready

If a company called you for an interview tomorrow, would you be ready? Many times, a job-seeker who hasn’t had a lot of bites might get a little too comfortable in their job search, and not actually be prepared for the most important part—the interview.

There is some truth to the cliché “clothes make the person,” Twersky says. “When we look the part, whether it’s a smart wardrobe that fits our perception of the corporate culture where we are interviewing, or a sharp haircut or suitably applied makeup,” he says, “having a positive self-image, which should be aided by your aesthetics though not entirely defined by them, is a proven confidence-booster.”

Of course, it’s also important to remember that, in an interview, “style will rarely trump substance,” says Twersky.

To make sure you’re interview ready, go over this checklist and make sure everything’s good to go, so in case you do get a call today, you’ll be ready to crush the interview tomorrow:

by John Lombard

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4 Tips to Spring Clean Your Job Search

PrintSpring arrived last week, and if you’re a job seeker, your spring cleaning assignment should be your job search. Forget dusting and scrubbing your house, when you are searching for a job, your biggest priority is that search. We especially love job search spring cleaning because it gives us a good excuse to avoid dusting and scrubbing our houses! So without further hesitation, follow these steps to spring clean your job search.

 

Shake out your resume and cover letters. You shouldn’t be sending the same stale resume and letters for each job application. Take a little time to update your resume, including any new accomplishments, skills, etc. Remove old, outdated, or irrelevant information. And create a few resumes to match the different types of jobs or industries you’re searching for. Having customized resumes goes a long way to show an employer why you’re the candidate they’ve been hoping for.

 

Dust off your professional network. It might have been a while since you were in touch with your professional contacts, but spring is a great excuse to say hello. Your get-back-in-touch email or phone call can simply be to say hello, see how their winter went, and wish them a Happy Spring. A good excuse as any to reconnect with helpful people. And don’t forget — the biggest rule for networking is that the more you give, the more you get. Before you ask for people’s help, ask them if they could use any of yours.

 

Shine up your interview wardrobe. Has it been a while since you had your suits laundered? Or polished your shoes? Tackle those activities now, before you are rushing to attend a hastily scheduled job interview, and while you’re at it, spiff up your interview skills as well. Practice answering interview questions out-loud in front of a mirror. Or ask a friend to interview you and give you feedback. Read up on our tips for interviewing:

 

Organize your job search tactics. Job searching can take up a lot of time, and it’s important that you use your time wisely. Make a schedule for yourself so that you’re spending time on all the important job search tactics: job searching, resume and cover letter writing, company research, networking, and application follow up. By organizing your job search now, you’ll set yourself up for success.

Contributor- Brie Weiler Reynolds

 

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3 Game-Changing Career Lessons You’ll Learn If You Work With A Coach

Whether you’re trying to land a new job, looking for a total career change or thinking that you need a second pair of eyes to spruce up your resume—you’re at the point in the process that you know you could benefit from hiring a career coach.

But, the thought of spending money on something you’re pretty sure you should be able to do yourself still makes you a bit wary. After all, it’s a big investment—and your bank account aside, you’re not sure where you’re even going to find the time. Plus, there are so many resources online, so you go back and forth weighing the pros and cons.

While I completely understand where you’re coming from (especially because I love solving problems on my own), I also know there’s a lot you can learn from a coach—not even including what you’re hiring him or her to help you do.

For example, here are just three of the lessons you might pick up that would make it worth it.

  1. You’ve Got So Many More Skills Than You Realize

You do a lot every day at your job—no matter what that is. But for some reason, translating your daily responsibilities to a jam-packed skills section on your resume feels impossible. This is where a coach can step in—especially for those people changing careers who can’t figure out how to make the connection between their current industry and the one they want to move into.

Your coach will be a third party who can thread together your past experiences with your future opportunities. Don’t think that your recruiting experience will help you get a job in software sales? Think again! This person will be able to listen to your journey thus far and identify all skills (hard and soft) you’ve developed so that you’ll shine on your application and in future interviews.

Remember: You always have a story to tell. Sometimes you just need the right person to help you figure out the best way to say it.

  1. You’re Missing Out On Some Great Companies

Finding a job that fits your skill set can be hard. That search pales in comparison to the hunt for your dream company one where you’ll mesh with the culture, believe in the mission and just love the leadership. With so many companies out there, how do you even know if you’re pursuing the right one? Or, to step back even more, how do you know who’s even hiring right now? Yes, most organizations post listings publicly—but many don’t do this formally, meaning there could be opportunities right under your nose that you’re missing.

Coaches are talking to lots of folks in many different industries every day. They live and breathe careers, hiring, the latest tools, trends and companies. It’s literally their job to do all that. While working together, he or she may have some suggestions of places to check out—maybe a few you’ve heard of but never thought to work for, or organizations you never knew existed, or even popular companies using unique job titles to fill a role you’re actually qualified for. No, they’re not recruiters, but they’re definitely more aware than the average person about what’s going on.

Think about it this way: You might not be landing your dream job because you are missing out on your dream company.

  1. You’re Your Own Worst Enemy

The job search process can be really overwhelming. In fact, it can kind of be like an emotional rollercoaster. You put so much time and effort into updating your resume, researching companies and honing your interviewing skills that when you don’t land a new gig, it can be really discouraging. Then the problem becomes one of negative thought patterns, a defeatist attitude and a bruised ego.

So, the most underrated aspect of hiring a career coach? This person’s going to be your biggest advocate and cheerleader. He or she can see the greatness in you and also bring to light the things that are holding you back.

Often times, people get stuck in a career rut not because they aren’t marketable, but because of the mental barriers that get in their way. Whether it be your lack of confidence or clarity or unrelated stressful factors like relationships and health—your coach will be able to help you see that you can be your own worst enemy. And once that’s out of the way, the sky’s the limit. Corny? Sure. True? Also yes. More often than not, you’re in a much better place than you think when it comes to your job search, and there’s no shame in hiring someone who can help you see that.

So whether you’re looking for an accountability partner, a cheerleader or a career connoisseur, a coach will help catapult your career in ways you couldn’t even imagine!

Contributor- the Muse

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