Through the years, we’ve studied hundreds of professional resumes from a myriad of resume companies. Some are poor, some are average and some are exceptional. Resume Writing Group has been our top-rated pick for several years, so we asked them to share a few of their favorite tips for clients on the hunt for a new job.
1. Learn How To Network
When people hear the word “network,” they might feel as though this means they have to be pushy and aggressive, but this isn’t the case. Networking is simply about making connections. Sometimes the connections can help in the short term and sometimes in the long term, but these connections are valuable.
If you are hesitant, simply start by describing your ideal job to friends and family and ask for career advice. It’s possible that they know someone in the filed who either can give you further advice or even knows about an available job position. Other helpful contacts include your college professors, former employers and former classmates. Even people you meet at parties, weddings and other events might become excellent contacts, so wherever you go, aim to make a good impression and get to know the people around you.
Join a networking site, such as LinkedIn, and start by approaching friends, current co-workers and family members. When you make a new contact on the street, acquire their information and invite them to connect with you on LinkedIn. If you have not yet joined LinkedIn, you should, and Resume Writing Group can help by creating a dynamic LinkedIn profile that will attract attention.
Don’t be afraid to mix and mingle. You can’t connect with people unless you actually get out there and start making connections. Certainly you can attend business events, seminars and conferences, which can be a great way to meet people in your industry, but there are other options to consider. Join a local meetup group that’s related to your industry. If you are shy, consider having a friend attend along with you for some of these events.
2. Be Professional & Prepared
Aside from joining LinkedIn, the team at Resume Writing Group also suggested that job hunters create their own professional website. You can use Word Press or another similar template to create your site and add your professional biography as well as writing blog posts related to your industry. Update your site with a new post at least once per week and be sure to provide a link to this site on LinkedIn. You also can use social media sites such as twitter to link to your site and your blog articles.
When you head out, always bring along a few business cards and if you attend any professional events bring along business cards and copies of your resume. You might not pass out a single resume, but it never hurts to be prepared. Keep your look professional, as well.
Obviously, you want to dress appropriately at business and formal events, but even when going casual, such as dinner with friends or a party, take some pride in your appearance. You might be wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but they don’t have to be stained or sloppy. You don’t have to look perfectly polished all the time, but strive to look put together as much as possible. You never know when you might make an important connection, so always try to make a great first impression.
3. Don’t Apply Everywhere
Many of the writers over at Resume Writing Group indicated that their clients often were unsure where to apply for jobs and tended to send out their resumes to hundreds of companies. While this might seem smart, the professional resume writers suggested that job hunters research companies carefully so that they truly can gauge whether or not they will fit in well with each organization. Apply only for jobs where you meet at least 60% of the qualifications, otherwise a hiring manager will just toss out your resume. Companies need people to jump right into work, and not people who require a great deal of training.
It’s a big world so naturally people aren’t always sure where to apply, but Resume Writing Group can help. They offer a Job Hunter service, and they will study your resume, do some research and come up with a list of 30 companies in your area that are potentially likely to hire you. They also will provide you with contact information for these companies so that you can send in your resume.
4. Practice Your Interview Skills
While a great resume from Resume Writing Group can help you gain interviews, it’s up to you to impress people during the interview. If you are too nervous, too tongue-tied or too awkward, this can cost you a great job. Likewise, if you come off as arrogant or cocky, this also can turn off employers.
The best way to improve your interviewing skills is to simply practice these skills. Research typical interview questions and practice your answers. Practice with a trusted friend or family member, and have them act as the interviewer. Work on making good eye contact and sitting up straight, as well as working on polishing your answers.
If you are still having trouble finding a great job, consider using career coaching services from Resume Writing Group. This includes a one-on-one phone consultation as well as written documents covering your character competencies, your benchmarks and milestones and a resume supplement. We also highly recommend that you use Resume Writing Group to create your resume. This company consistently creates error-free, job-winning resumes for professionals from a variety of industries, and they can help you jumpstart your job search.
