SIMPLE RESUME CUSTOMIZING STRATEGIES

Are you wondering why you’re not getting positive results after you send out lots of resumes? If the resumes have been all exactly the same, you may just be spinning your wheels.

In today’s world of information overload, where employers are sometimes inundated with resumes from Internet, mobile and other sources, customizing is key. Each employer wants to reserve meeting time for those candidates who are already perceived as highly qualified for the position. They will not likely take time to figure out how you might fit into the organization if the match appears to be merely close. This is especially relevant for those employers who are federal contractors as the Office of Federal Contract Compliance (OFCCP) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued new investigation rules in 2014 strengthening their review of hiring in compliance with required qualifications.

Does this mean that you need to invest a great deal of time in revamping your resume each time you apply? Not at all. Think of your original resume as a master version. Each time you apply for a job, copy the master version and customize it very simply and quickly following these steps:

• Review the job posting to determine key terms or phrases that relate to major skills or experience required and desired.
• Make a list of these keywords, using exact terms or phrasing.
• Put into the resume keywords that match your abilities by removing and replacing skills and responsibilities irrelevant to the position. There are three sections in which to do this text substituting: the resume’s keyword section, your current or most recent employment description, and the second most recent employment description. Many applicant tracking systems weigh keywords found in recent experience more heavily than elsewhere on the resume. Skills are a better fit in the keyword section; responsibilities, in the experience section.

These strategies also eliminate the stress associated with trying to identify one magical set of keywords to work for all positions. This is a losing strategy because no two jobs are exactly alike. There are usually subtle differences even between similar positions.

Note that customizing keywords will only be effective when the career target is the same. If you’re applying for widely different occupations (such as sales and engineering), you will need to modify the entire resume to suit each target.

This strategy can be highly effective, but it is limited by the fact that applicant tracking systems are often set to include some keywords outside of what is listed in the job posting. These remain unknowns. However, identifying probable keywords from each job posting can go a long way to help increase your resume’s chances to rise above others.

EXERCISE PROPER ONLINE NETWORKING ETIQUETTE

Many of the same guidelines for in-person networking apply to the online version, just in a different format. Keep the following tips in mind to retain good relations with your connections in LinkedIn and other cyber spaces:

Never come across as desperate or as begging for something. This is the surest way to turn others off.

Avoid shouting. The use of ALL CAPS in your message is generally interpreted as shouting and rude, not as an enhancement to emphasize certain information.

Avoid spamming. Be genuine in your interactions. Relationships flourish through using the personal touch, not as coming across like a form letter. In the age of information overload, take care in crafting your communications.

Offer advice or assistance without coming across as preachy. Give freely to others -- it will pay off later.

Avoid sounding generic. Only comment when you have something meaningful or authentic to add. Create invitation messages rather than relying on the standard template to grow new connections in LinkedIn.

Treat others' time as valuable. Avoid long messages. Get to the point quickly, concisely, and succinctly.

Stay positive. Any messages that sound like whining won't get too far.

As always, treating others with respect and courtesy is essential to nurturing our relationships.

CHECK YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE BEFORE EMPLOYERS DO

Recruiters and HR professionals now routinely conduct online investigations of candidates as part of their background checks. Do you know what they will uncover when they look into your online identity? To find out "Google" your own name to see what comes up. Be sure to include your middle initial in this test, as well as on your resume, LinkedIn Profile, and on all applications you complete. Another option is using a free background check website or app, such as www.pipl.com.

Online identity management has become more of a priority in job hunts. The good news is that you can influence what someone finds by building up content through the use of social media profiles, blogs, comments, and other tools. Brand consistency is important to keep in mind. Your resume and LinkedIn Profile may not be exactly the same, but they should be supportive of each other. Be sure that employer names, job titles, degrees, dates, statistics, etc. match.

If you don't check your online identity, there could be surprises out there easily accessed by potential employers.

POWERFUL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO ASK

People often struggle with figuring out what might be good questions to ask potential employers. It's helpful to strike a balance between insightfulness and avoidance of intrusiveness. Here are a few questions for you to consider.

WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES FOR THE PERSON HIRED INTO THIS POSITION?

This inquiry opens a new way for you to explore with the interviewer the value of your qualifications. If you are a quick thinker, you may be able to illustrate how you could effectively meet such challenges.

HOW IS PERFORMANCE IN THIS POSITION EVALUATED?

A thorough understanding of accountabilities can help you determine how good of a match you are for the job. It also provides another opportunity to leverage the strengths you have to offer. The answer to this question sometimes reveals a peak into the work culture. Is a team approach important? Are expectations clear and realistic?

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT ME TO HELP CLARIFY HOW WELL I FIT THE POSITION?

Asked near the end, this gives the interviewers an opportunity to consider your match for the position within the interview, not just afterwards. Then you have the chance to address any concerns that are brought up.

WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO HEAR FROM YOU AS TO THE NEXT STEP?

As a closing question, this encourages specificity in an area where interviewers can often be vague.

It is also a good idea to develop a question or two based upon your research of the company. First, it shows you care enough about the position to gather information, and secondly, the answers can give you more of an "insider view" of the move you are considering.

Strategically preparing questions to ask for interviews can expand your sense of power in this social dynamic.

ELEVATE YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE SO YOUR TALENTS CAN BE DISCOVERED

Having a strong profile is only the first step in actively using LinkedIn as part of a strategic job search. Take steps to make it easier for recruiters to find you. Here are some tips that will help:

Review your profile to make sure it is optimized for searches. Be sure that:

·         The headline promotes your personal brand. Use up to 120 characters (the limit) to succinctly communicate your career value; incorporate powerful keywords in both the headline and summary.

·         The skills and expertise section is full of keywords representing skills employers will be seeking. You can include up to 50; take full advantage of this. Keywords drive search results. Because LinkedIn now uses this section for endorsements, it’s likely that the power of keywords will become even stronger.

·         Your profile is as complete as possible. Recently LinkedIn inserted a sidebar graph that indicates the completeness of each profile.

Strive to acquire as many connections as possible. Few actions will help elevate your visibility in searches as securing a large number of connections. How many? That will depend upon your career field and how much you connect with people through your work. People in sales should have a very high number (500 or more). Overall, 250 is a good round number to shoot for in many cases.

Check off that you’re interested in receiving information on career opportunities. To do so, go to account settings; email preferences; types of messages you’re willing to receive. However, be cautious in doing this if your job search is confidential. Your current employer could discover you are seeking new employment.

Join groups. Not only will this help increase your searchability, but it holds potential to substantially strengthen your online network. Participate in group discussions.

Conduct job searches using the LinkedIn Jobs tab on the top menu. Advanced job searches can be filtered by keywords, job title, region, and other criteria.

Stay connected with organizations in which you are interested. Use the Company tab on the top menu to find, research, and follow businesses. Explore second and third-level connections you may have with the company.

Become comfortable with LinkedIn by using it on a regular basis. As with anything, practice builds skills.

People hire people, and one of the wonderful things about LinkedIn is the way it opens up new relationships and possibilities.

CONTINUING RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN RECRUITING

Jobvite reports that 92% of companies now use social media networks to recruit candidates, up from 78% five years ago. The rise of the social media powered job search has certainly changed the way people land new positions.

It is really just an extension of the older adage that more people are hired through networking than responding to ads. Research shows that while one in 100 applicants obtain their ideal job through responding to ads, the odds are substantially better for referrals (essentially through networking): one in 7. Often we're separated by only a few degrees from someone who could help us attain our career goals. The degree of separation is something LinkedIn identifies when conducting people and company searches in their system.

QUICK TIPS FOR NETWORKING USE OF THE ELEVATOR PITCH

QUICK TIPS FOR NETWORKING USE OF THE ELEVATOR PITCH

The elevator pitch is famously known as a nutshell description of who you are in career terms -- a summary that you could deliver to someone in the time span of an elevator ride. It is succinct and to the point.

A skillful elevator pitch can get an employer's attention or serve as the basis for a new relationship. A poor elevator pitch can leave a lasting bad impression.

Here are four tips to help you perfect your elevator pitch:

1) Make it sound natural and casual. Don't make it sound memorized. Just focus on key points to emphasize and allow a little room for improvising as appropriate for your audience. Even though it's a self-marketing tool, be careful not to come across as an overly-aggressive salesperson.

2) Keep it "Tweet" size, or in other words, keep it short. It should be considered an introductory summary. Any conversation you have after delivering it can be used for elaboration, but follow the interest of the audience.

3) Make it relevant. Relate it to your audience and use it as a foundational block on which to build the relationship.

4) Engage your audience by closing with a question. As appropriate ask for advice, an opinion, a contact, or other information as relevant to the situation. Do not ask for a job through an elevator pitch - it can come across as desperate. However, consider exchanging business cards or connecting on LinkedIn.