Finding a job used to be a much simpler process than it is today… You used to send a résumé, get an interview, and if they liked you, you were hired.
Today, there isn’t just one area to consider, the modern job search is multi-faceted and there’s a number of areas to consider, but with a little preparation, it can come together nicely.
Résumé: Have an up-to-date résumé ready at any given moment and with you. You never know when the opportunity to offer it may arise. Be prepared. If you can make it shine on your own, do it and if you can’t; hire a professional. This is the most important document of your career… Make it shine.
Connections: From alumni groups to lifelong friends, you never know where an ally in your job search could come from. Be active on LinkedIn because it’s a solid resource. I’ve had several offers come from LinkedIn connections, so it’s well worth the effort. There are also some wonderful professionals that you’re likely to learn from, you can follow. Brilliant minds worth tapping into.
Online Presence: Do a search on your name to see what comes up… You may be surprised and that can be a bad thing, if you “express yourself” in any questionable ways. From politics to an out of control social media presence can be the kiss of death to a career and job offers, if you aren’t careful. If there are questionable posts, try to clean up your presence, but remember that nothing really ever goes away online. It’s safer to not have anything to hide and easier than trying to clean it up.
Phone Interviews: It used to be that you were called in for a face-to-face interview based on your résumé alone, but those days are pretty much gone. You can go through several phone interviews before you ever meet anyone face-to-face. Even possible Skype interviews. I strongly suggest dress for phone or Skype interviews because it puts you in the best mindset for a professional presence.
Appearance: In my humble opinion this is one of the most important areas to cover… Image is EVERYTHING! Companies want a professional image and if you want to get hired or advance, you need to know what the company expects and be that. You have to prepare to adapt to the corporate culture and not expect them to adapt to you.
Follow the above tips and you’ll be ahead of many… If you need assistance, feel free to contact me and I can assist you with the process.