Self-Sabotage & the Job Search

Job-seekers can unknowingly sabotage their job search. How does self-sabotage show up? 

• Not having a job target.
• Feeling desperate and going after every job that remotely matches your skills/experience.
• Spending the majority of your time going after advertised jobs.
• Isolating. Not getting out networking with others.
• Not getting up-to-date with current job search trends.
• Not customizing your resume and cover letter for each job target.
• Not keeping your network apprised of your job search.
• Not asking for introductions to contacts within your target companies.

Do you want to see more momentum in your job search? What negative behaviors do you need to shed?

Resume Keywords are King

Many companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to manage the large influx of resumes when a job opening is posted. How can you be sure your resume eventually ends up being read by a human? The key is KEYWORDS. You  need to ensure you have the correct keywords that are relevant for the job you are targeting and have enough of them sprinkled throughout your resume.

A couple of tools that can help you identify what keywords should be on your resume include:

Wordle.net - This tool will allow you to paste in a job description and you will be able to see which keywords are the most prominent.

Onetsocautocoder - With this tool, you paste in a job description to see how often particular keywords show up. You can use the results to customize your resume.

Here are a couple of articles on keywords that I think you will find helpful:

Guide to the Best Keywords for Your Job Search

List of Resume and Cover Letter Action Keywords

Finding the Perfect Thing to Say: Great email scripts for job-seekers

Are you in a job search? Do you struggle with what to say in an email to a recruiter or others who can help you in your search? I came across links to two content-rich articles with email scripts for job-seekers.

1. 13 helpful email templates you can use while job searching 

This link will give you a plethora of email scripts to use before and during your job search. Everything from 

• Letting your network know you're in a job search.
• Inquiring about the status of an application.
• Asking for an introduction to someone.
• Asking for a recommendation on LinkedIn. 

2. Reaching out to Recruiters: Sample Scripts

This link will give you email templates for the following situations:

• When a recruiter has looked at your LinkedIn page
• When you are connected to any recruiters (1st degree)
• When a friend refers you

Don't struggle with what to say any longer. Check these articles out today!

Conducting a Diversified Job Search Approach

Are you in a job search? Do you have a diversified job search approach or are you spending most of your time sitting behind a computer? If you want to jump start your job search, it's important to spend you time on several different strategies, as outline below:

1) Online Social & Professional Networking - You've probably heard it before- most jobs are found through networking. Why is that? Employers like to hire people they know and people that come referred to them. It's expensive to advertise and it's risky to hire an unknown. Be sure to have a keyword-rich LinkedIn profile; become active in LinkedIn groups; follow your target companies. Join and become active in industry-related professional associations.

2) Direct Contact - Do you have a list of companies you are targeting? If not, create one! Your next step is to identify who the hiring manager is for each company and send him/her a targeted cover letter and resume. Don't wait for an opening to be posted. Take the initiative and reach out. Do your research and check your network to find connections to the hiring manager. Ask if you could use his/her name in the cover letter.

3) Recruiters - It is important to identify recruiters for your field and industry. Ideally, if you have a well-crafted LinkedIn profile, recruiters will be seeking you out. Keep in mind that the client for the recruiter is the company seeking to fill a position. If their client is not looking for someone with your skills/experience, he/she won't be able to help you.

4) Online Job Boards - Another piece of the puzzle is online job boards. When applying online, be sure to identify contacts within the company. When possible, in addition to responding to an online job posting, submit a resume and cover letter directly to the hiring manager. This will require some digging on your part to identify that person.

If you're not already doing all of the above, I encourage you to start today! It could just shorten the amount of time you find yourself in a job search.