9 Tips to Empower Your Job Search

By Martin Buckland - Executive Career Management Professional

Photo credit: ©  Krasimira Nevenova | Fotolia.com

Looking for a job is a job unto itself and should be tackled aggressively and with a plan. When I coach my executive clients on the ideal job search day, I tell them to spend 12 hours per day, 5 days a week job hunting and networking. I know you’re gasping at the thought right now but here’s 9 tips to empower your job search campaign.

1. Remember you are in a race, a competition to the finish line, so you need to differentiate yourself and gain increased exposure through in-person networking and social media.
2. Do not become complacent in the second and third interviews thinking the job is yours. Racket up your impact and level of professionalism so you look like the number one candidate.
3. Hand write a thank you letter to the interviewer or interviewers thanking them for their time and reiterating your commitment to secure the job.
4. Do not identify salary information or expectations in a cover letter in response to an advertisement even if “Only resumes with salary history and requirements will be considered.” If your resume tells a compelling story and the background fits, you most like will be called.
5. Always remember your behaviour, deportment and mannerisms are being scrutinized in all your interactions, especially when networking and during the interview. Don’t be a fool and go outside expected business and cultural behaviour or your brand.
6. Spend 80% of your time on those activities that generate an 80% return. Wondering what single activity produces the highest ROI? In-person networking!
7. Build constructive and respected relationships with Executive Recruiters. However bear in mind, recruiters don’t find you a job, they work for their clients not you! For more information about the benefit of Executive Recruiters, read one of my other posts on Social Hire https://www.social-hire.com/career--interview-advice/4776/executive-recruiters---how-they-can-bring-value-to-your-career.
8. You are responsible for following up with your networking contacts and interviewers. Don’t accept the “Don’t call us, we’ll call you” concept.
9. Do not respond to the same advertisement numerous times thinking it’s a lotto and you will increase your chances. Wrong! Flooding an employer with your resume makes a negative, not a positive, impression and you only have one chance to make a persuasive first impression.

When conducting a job search, remember these words from famed motivational speaker Zig Ziglar: “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude “

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Martin Buckland, President of Elite Resumes, is a leading resume writer, career coach and job search strategist with a global clientele. Martin currently holds the following certifications: Certified Professional Branding Strategist, Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Employment Interview Professional, Job and Career Transition Coach, Certified Job Search Trainer and Co-Pilot Executive Coach. Visit my website at http://aneliteresume.com/.

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