Category Archives: Job Search Tips

Don’t Let Your Job Search Fizzle Out Just Because Summer Is Coming to an End

Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean your job search has to fizzle out too. Give your job search the boost it needs by investing your time in professional development to keep you ahead of your competition.prof dev books

The secret to success is to never stop learning. Sharpen your current skills and learn new ones that can be transferred from one type of career to another. Mastering a variety of new skills makes you more marketable to employers. It shows that you are capable of evolving in a competitive working environment. Employers look for candidates with drive and passion. Are you able to show that you are an active contributor and strive to be a top performer?

Here are 3 professional development tips to boost your employability and impress a potential employer. Continue reading

Using LinkedIn Efficiently in Your Job Search

Once you have developed a robust LinkedIn profile, you must be an active participant to attract the attention of hiring managers and the 130,000+ recruiters that source candidates on LinkedIn.find a job on LI keyboard

Grow Your Network: Connect with friends, family and business contacts. Use LinkedIn as your contact database. The more connections you have, the better your odds of the right people finding you. Network with recruiters and others in your field to expand your reach. You never know where these connections may lead. But, do not just make connections — build real relationships. Get to know your connections, and schedule face-to-face coffee dates with those with whom you share a common interest. Continue reading

How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile to Accelerate Your Job Search

LinkedIn is the largest professional networking platform and the #1 job search tool in the world. More than 130,000 recruiters use LinkedIn to search for potential candidates to fill job openings. Having an optimized profile and being an active participant on LinkedIn will increase your visibility and make it easier for recruiters to find you.

LinkedIn LogoYou must complete your profile to 100% to be considered a serious job seeker. Here are 5 tips based on best practices for optimizing your profile: Continue reading

Using the CT DOL Website’s Jobseeker Resources

CTDOL logoLast week I attended a great presentation conducted by Karen Quesnel, a Business Services Professional with CTWorks. She showed members of the JETS Schmoozers  Network for Job Seekers how to use the great job seeker tools on the CT DOL website. I was very impressed with the wealth of employment resources (in both English and Spanish) they have brought together in one portal. I strongly encourage you to check out the site and bookmark it for future use. Here are a few of my favorite features.

CT.jobs allows jobseekers to set up an account in which they can store a resume, save searches and set up personalized job search agents. I was very impressed to hear that they vet the employers who post jobs on their site, so there are no fictitious or scam postings like on some of the large paid-for-post job boards. Continue reading

Don’t Hate Recruiters!

job search tipsJobseekers are frequently frustrated with the lack of response from recruiters, but they have to remember that the recruiter works for the employer — not the jobseeker.

Whether in-house, retained or contingent, recruiters work for the hiring companies. Their job is to find the ideal candidate for specific open positions to please the employer — their employer. A recruiter cannot put their neck on the line and submit your resume to the employer if they do not feel you would be an ideal fit. The hiring companies rely on a recruiter’s knowledge of their talent needs and their ability to identify appropriate candidates to fill those needs. If they do not deliver, the hiring companies will find another recruiter who can.

If you happen to have the perfect skill set and experience a recruiter is looking for to fill a specific position — great! If you are a very strong candidate, they may keep you in the back of their mind for future positions. But do not expect them to “find you a job”. In fact, do not expect anyone to find you a job. That is your job. Professional resume writers, career coaches, temporary agencies and recruiters are great resources that can help facilitate your job search — but it is not their job to find you a job. You have to put in the effort. Effective job search strategies include a combination of face-to-face and online networking and reaching out to a targeted list of companies.

You can always try to connect with a recruiter, but only do so for a specific job they represent, and only if you are the absolute ideal candidate for the position. (In this competitive job market — do not waste your time applying for any position for which you do not have at least 90% of the qualifications.) The more effective approach is to make sure the recruiters find you. More than 130,000 recruiters source candidates directly on LinkedIn. To attract their attention, optimize your LinkedIn profile with keywords and quantified career accomplishments that demonstrate the value you offer an employer. Request LinkedIn recommendations as social proof will validate your expertise. Continually fine tune your craft and include professional development activities on your profile to show that you are keeping up with changes in your industry.

If you are contacted by a recruiter — fantastic! Share with them your finely tuned branding statement and resume. Respond to their requests quickly, as they will continue to contact other candidates for the same position. Remember, they are focused on filling a few specific positions as quickly as they can. So, always make sure your LinkedIn profile is 100% complete and that your resume and cover letter are ready to be presented. You never know when a potential employment opportunity might arise.

Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people advance their careers with rewarding jobs that provide more than just a paycheck. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she provides her clients with the tools and strategies needed to achieve their goals and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful. Because she takes the time to get to know each of her clients, Trish’s clients have a very high success rate with most having interviews scheduled within 2 weeks and job offers with significantly higher salaries. www.the-resume-resource.com

Tips to Fight Unemployment in Recent College Graduates

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Nearly 1.5 Million or 53.6% of bachelor degree holders under the age of 25 were jobless or unemployed last year. It is projected that upon graduation, Millennials will be more than $25,000 in debt due to student loans. Instead of stepping into a salary job with benefits and 401(K), college grads are either unemployed or working as waitresses, servers and bartenders to pay off the student loans that haunt them after graduation.

After spending years of reading, writing and studying, students look forward to graduation so they can display everything they learned in college and prove that all of their hard work has paid off. However, in the past 5 years, this has not been happening as frequently as it used to. Now the question becomes, “How do we solve this problem of unemployment in recent college graduates?”

The rules of the game have changed, so we have to change our approach. When there were fewer graduates, any college degree was a valuable credential. Graduating proved to the hiring manager that the candidate could work towards a long-term goal and had the capacity for learning. Now that the market is flooded with new grads, the value of the diploma drops drastically.

Majors such as Engineering and Accounting have the lowest unemployment rates because these majors are skill-based and lead to a specific role. Liberal Arts majors do not typically lead into a specific field and those graduates have some of the highest unemployment rates. Today, employers are looking for candidates with a specific skill set. A recent report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers concluded that employers look for evidence of these 5 skills on a resume: Working on a Team, Leadership, Written Communication, Problem-Solving and a Strong Work Ethic. If you have these qualities, be sure to highlight them on your resume.

Let’s assume a student majoring in English does so because he or she has a passion for the subject. Reading, writing and analyzing are skills most practiced throughout English courses. Within this major, there are transferable skills that can be used in a variety of fields. Writing is a skill needed in every profession, especially marketing. The purpose of marketing is to entice consumers to buy a specific product. English majors have a way with words that no other type of student does. Seems like a perfect fit, right? Use your resume to highlight the skills most valued by an employer. Explain how you will apply this skill set to help an organization meets its business goals.

You do need a marketable skill set to find a job, but you also deserve to follow your passion. When choosing a major one, find that speaks your strengths and unlocks your passion. Within your coursework, develop the skills that make you an ideal candidate for employers. Internships are a great way to experiment. You can use an internship to make sure you would like to pursue a career in this field, and it also lets you show that you can apply what you have learned in college. You can fight this era of recent grad unemployment by demonstrating the value you offer an employer. If you are unsure to which fields your skill set might apply, a career coach may be able to help you.

Good luck in your job search!

Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people advance their careers with rewarding jobs that provide more than just a paycheck. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she provides her clients with the tools and strategies needed to achieve their goals and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful.

3 Tips to Master LinkedIn’s New Facebook-Style Tagging

Frequent visitors to my blog know that I am a huge fan of LinkedIn as a powerful job search tool. I am excited to share that LinkedIn has added a new feature to help you engage with your network – In-Status Mentions, which have been part of Facebook and Google+ for a long time.

LinkedIn Logo

You can now easily add links to your connections and companies in your status updates and in group conversations. LinkedIn will be rolling out this new feature over the next few weeks. You’ll know you have it when upon signing in you see a message inviting you to use this new feature. These tags will be especially useful for businesses to drive traffic to their LinkedIn company page. To help you stay up-to-date with LinkedIn, here are a few tips to help you use this new feature.

1. Start typing the name of a company or connection in your status update box or a comment field on the Homepage, and LinkedIn will show you a drop down in which you can select the profile you’re referencing.

2.   Once you have selected the LinkedIn member or company, you will see that the linked profile has been highlighted in gray.

3.   Finish writing your status update or comment and post it. Your connections will be able to click the hyperlink to be automatically directed to that member’s profile or company page you have mentioned.

Note: The person or company you mentioned will receive an email alerting them that they have been mentioned.

LinkedIn stated they will soon extend this new mention capability beyond the homepage, so look for the ability to use this new feature throughout the LinkedIn platform in the near future.  Here is a link to a SlideShare presentation on this feature, should you like additional information.

http://www.slideshare.net/linkedin/linked-in-mentions-step-bystep

Happy hunting! Remember we are here to help when you are ready to improve your job search results.

Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people advance their careers with rewarding jobs that provide more than just a paycheck. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she takes the time to get to know each of her clients and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful.

What To Do If Your Industry Is Dying

A smart career manager stays up on current trends in his/her industry. Don’t let yourself fall victim to the changing job market. If you have heard rumblings about change in your organization and see that opportunities in your field are drying up, it is time to revamp your resume to highlight your transferable skills. A few keys kills are highly desired in almost every industry:

transferable skills

  1. Communication
  2. Collaboration
  3. Analytic Skills
  4. Project Management

Communication  –  In almost every career, strong communication skills are vital. Whether communicating with clients or colleagues, you need to be able to articulate your ideas verbally and in writing. Hiring managers are looking for employees who can communicate effectively across the organization and represent the company in a professional manner.

Collaboration–  In very few jobs do you operate in a vacuum. Interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds is very desirable to employers. Cross-functional collaboration, co-creation and cooperation are vital for business success. Successful companies know that collaborative teams encourage creativity and innovation.

Analytic Skills –  Most jobs involve collecting and analyzing information to some degree. Analytic skills are crucial in problem solving, and identifying and designing process improvements. The ability to analyze data and make decisions based on available information is needed in performance measurement, compliance and auditing functions.

Project Management –  Project managers are in high demand in most industries, as almost every company is trying to work better, smarter and faster. Your ability to plan, organize, allocate resources and oversee the execution of a project to achieve a specific goal is highly transferable.    In today’s highly competitive job market, jobseekers may need to broaden their job search and leverage their transferable skills to stand out from the competition.

Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people advance their careers with rewarding jobs that provide more than just a paycheck. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she takes the time to get to know each of her clients and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful.

Does Your Resume Read Like an Obituary?

Resumes changed 180 degrees a few years ago due to the highly competitive job market and Applicant Tracking System technology. Jobseekers must update their  resume language and formatting to take advantage of all the hiring going on right now and avoid the dreaded “Resume Black Hole.

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Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people advance their careers with rewarding jobs that provide more than just a paycheck. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she takes the time to get to know each of her clients and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful.

Don’t Let A Sloppy Email Derail Your Job Search

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We love the convenience of email and how it has sped up the communication process, but be careful when applying this quick action approach to your job search. Don’t risk sending a less-than-perfect email because you are rushed.

Accidentally sending a half-written email or one with typos, the wrong company name, or a missing attachment can blow your chances of winning an interview. We have all clicked “send” on an email and then panicked when we realize that it has already left our inbox. With a little care, and conscious effort, you can avoid falling in this speed trap again.

Here is an email technique that I have used for years when sending an email where perfection is vital: when you draft an email, enter the recipient’s email address last. If you are replying to an email, remove the email address and re-insert it after you have written your response. This way, you won’t risk sending the email before proofing it.

Depending on your email setup, you might have the “email recall” function, but this function is notoriously unreliable, and only works if the recipient has not yet read your email.

Your professional reputation is on the line. You must take the time to be conscientious about the little details. It can make the difference in winning the interview or being seen as unprofessional.

Thanks for stopping by. Best of luck in your job search.

Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people advance their careers with rewarding jobs that provide more than just a paycheck. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she takes the time to get to know each of her clients and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful.

Jobseekers Should Take Advantage of Free Training Resources to Increase Their Marketability

Jobseekers Should Take Advantage of Free Training Resources to Increase Their MarketabilityMany hiring managers are concerned that people in transition are not “work ready”. Learn new skills, keep your existing skills sharp and keep up on technology to show them that you are ready to contribute to their team’s success.

Don’t let a lack of funds hinder your marketability. There is a wealth of free training out there today. Many local libraries and community centers offer free LinkedIn, QuickBooks, and Microsoft Office classes, as well as workshops on improving your resume and effective  job search strategies.

In addition, many libraries provide access to free training via  Universal Class. They subscribe to the service so that their members can access the training for free. Universal Class offers more than 500 online non-credit continuing education courses for all ages. All you need to set up your free account and register for classes is a valid library card and email address. You can access the courses from the comfort of your home via the library’s website. Topics range from Accounting to Medical Billing to Real Estate.

You are welcome to enroll in up to 5 courses through Universal Class, and have up to 6 months to finish each course. You have access to your course 24/7 via the Internet and complete assignments on your schedule. Each course has a real instructor with whom you may communicate via e-mail. Keep in mind, these are non-credit courses and are not a substitute for any licensing requirements.

The  OpenCourseWare Consortium    is another great resource for those in transition with limited funds.  The OCWC is a collaboration of higher education institutions and associated organizations from around the world to provide access to open educational content. Sponsors include MIT, Tufts University and a variety of international institutions.

An OpenCourseWare (OCW) is a free digital publication of high quality college and university‐level educational materials. The material is organized into courses, and often includes course planning materials and evaluation tools. OpenCourseWare are free and openly licensed, accessible to anyone, anytime via the Internet. Courses include topics such as Algebra, Photography, and Web Design, in a variety of languages. I have not personally used OpenCourseWare and would love to hear some users’ thoughts.

Keep in mind, once you have enrolled in the training program(s), add this information to your  cover letter  and  resume  to show the hiring managers that you are making the best use of your time between jobs.

Thanks for stopping by. Best of luck in your job search.

How Recent Grads Can Break Into Their Industry

By Lauren Piccini  

gradcapsinairOver the past 5 years, not only  have many people have become jobless, but the opportunities once available for recent college grads  have become  scarce. Although the economy is starting to improve, the entry-level job market is still extremely competitive. Before the recession, college grads would have won these jobs with ease, but now, they need to plan strategically. Do not wait until graduation to begin preparing for your dream job–you should start preparing the first time you step on campus your freshman year.

Intern. Do it. Try to complete as many internships as you can during your 4 years. Although most of them are unpaid, you are able to gain real life work experience, making them great resume builders. Not only are they a great way to learn, internships can also show you exactly what you DO NOT want to do. What if you are interning for what you thought was your dream job, but you end up hating it? It’s better to find this out early than to be stuck in a full-time position doing something you hate. Try experiencing with different types of internships too.   This helps you become well-rounded and able to recognize your strengths and weaknesses. The more experience you gain from these internships, the more credibility you will have when the time comes to apply for real jobs.

Get Involved on Campus. Join clubs and other activities on campus. Find your niche and surround yourself with positive, motivated people. Learn how to work with others and gain the practical and leadership skills needed to survive in the professional workplace.

Build Your Resume. Once you complete your internships, create a general resume. List all of your qualifications, skills and accomplishments. Use this as a reference. When looking at job postings, study the employer’s requirements and tailor your resume to meet them. Go through your resume and cover letter line by line and ask yourself whether each point supports the requirements for the job. Show potential employers the value you will add to their company.

Finding a job as soon as you graduate is not a guarantee and unfortunately, you have no direct control over the process. What you can control is making yourself a more knowledgeable and attractive candidate.  Job search is a long, difficult process and it can be easy to give up. Don’t let those negative thoughts hinder your motivation. Never stop learning. Read books, industry blogs and trade magazines.

Lauren Piccini  is a writer, blogger and social media wiz who  helps small business owners  transform into credible experts  in their field by increasing their  brand awareness through the use of social media strategies and techniques. She is a recent grad with a degree in English from the University of Connecticut whose first work was published within six months of graduation. www.LaurenPiccini.com

Helping Jobseekers All Year Long

member of career directors international

The Resume Resource is proud to provide FREE resume critiques on behalf of Career Directors International, the global network for  career services professionals, at the following Hartford, CT career fairs:

Premium Job Fairs: 2/6, 5/1, 8/1, 11/6

National Career Fairs: 4/17, 7/24, 10/16

Coast-to-Coast: 3/6, 6/4, 9/10, 12/4

Note — all the career fairs take place at the Farmington Marriott from 11 — 2. Between 20 and 35 companies are expected to recruit at each fair.

Even if you do not need a resume critique, stop by to say hi, enter our raffle, or grab a pen or a mint.   I hope to see you there!

Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people advance their careers with rewarding jobs that provide more than just a paycheck. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she guides her clients through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful.

3 Things to Keep In Mind When Hiring a Professional Resume Writer

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In today’s competitive job market, many jobseekers who used to write their own resumes are now reaching out to professionals to improve their job search results. Here are a few tips to make sure you don’t get burned.

1. Template resumes work best for clones.

Each of us is unique —in regard to the value we offer an employer as well as our individual career goals. Be wary of resume mills that promise a complete resume within 24 — 48 hours. A resume created this quickly must surely be a template and those are rarely effective. You need to stand out from the competition to win an interview. How can you differentiate yourself with a resume that looks like everyone else’s?

Make sure you get to speak to the person who will be writing your resume. You want to work with someone who takes the time to get to know you and your individual needs. A successful resume writer will schedule a 60 — 90 minute client intake session to discuss your skills, interests and career goals. Think about it. If they do not know you, how can they possibly market you effectively?

2. “One size fits all” solutions rarely fit all.

Some jobseekers have a clear idea of where they want their career to go and only need a well-written resume to jump start their job search. Others need help focusing their job search efforts, training on how to use social media effectively in their job search, or interview preparation.

Select a professional that offers a variety of services. A la carte options are a great way to customize a package for your individual needs. Why pay for something that you don’t need?

3. Value is not the same as Price.

Make sure you know what you are getting for your money. Be sure to ask these types of questions and make sure you are comfortable with the answers.

– What sort of results do other clients typically experience?

– Does the company offer client testimonials?

– Will you receive your resume electronically so that you can update it yourself in the future — or must you return to the company and pay for future updates?

– Is the resume writer trained on the current best practices?

– Will your resume be optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems?

Your resume writer should be easy to work with and want her clients to succeed. In addition to creating a stellar resume, she should provide tips on effective job search practices and navigating the online application process.

The take-away:
In this highly competitive job market, a professionally written resume can accelerate your job search and result in jobs offers with a higher starting salary. Due your due diligence to make sure you are working with someone reputable, who comes highly recommended.

Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people develop the tools, strategies and confidence to build satisfying careers. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she helps her clients articulate their unique value to stand out from the competition, and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful. www.the-resume-resource.com

As a Jobseeker, You’re (Always) On!

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Jobseekers should consider every interaction a potential networking opportunity — because you never know who may have, or know of, the perfect job for you. Are you able to articulate the unique value you offer an employer, at a moment’s notice? Most people aren’t. With a little planning and practice, you can always be ready to sell yourself effectively to advance your career.

You should have different versions of your introduction. What you say to someone at a networking event should probably be different from what you say to a neighbor when out walking or a chance encounter at the grocery store. Each starts with a Compelling Conversation Opener — a brief statement that piques the interest of the listen and prompts them to ask for more information.

Rather than a description of what you have done in the past, your introduction should be a forward facing statement of the value you offer an employer. One of the most effective opening lines includes why you love to do what you do. Then, explain what you do, who you help, and how you do it. Do not start off with “Well, I used to…”. Your likability factor is as important as your skill set. People enjoy being around happy people. Smile, and keep it upbeat and positive. Let them know that you are good at what you do, and you enjoy it. Searching for a job is difficult and it can be very hard to stay positive. But, the effort is worth it. Your positive energy will pay off.

Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people develop the tools, strategies and confidence to build satisfying careers. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she helps her clients articulate their unique value to stand out from the competition, and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful. www.the-resume-resource.com

The Soft Skills Most Highly Prized By Hiring Managers

Make sure your resume shows employers that you have what it takes to join their team. Highlight these qualifications on your resume; demonstrate how you have utilized these skills throughout your career to deliver results for your previous employers.
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1. Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside and outside the organization
2. Ability to work in a team structure
3. Ability to make decisions and solve problems
4. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work
5. Ability to obtain and process information
6. Ability to analyze quantitative data
7. Technical knowledge related to the job
8. Proficiency with computer software programs
9. Ability to create and/or edit written reports
10. Ability to sell or influence others

Source Job Outlook 2013 –  Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers
Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people develop the tools, strategies and confidence to build satisfying careers. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she helps her clients articulate their unique value to stand out from the competition, and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful. www.the-resume-resource.com