7 secrets for smart job search.

Kottler Masoko · 2011-04-21T11:03:44+00:00

1. Recruiters spend 10 seconds reading your résumé Odds are, you can lose up to a third of the words on your resume without compromising the content. So put your résumé on a word diet and eliminate the bloat. Remove extraneous words and phrases and generic mom-and-apple-pie references (strong team player) to bring your experience to the forefront. Additionally, bring your résumé alive by branding yourself from beginning to end and by using active verbs to describe accomplishments relevant to your target job. 2. Recruiters look for specialists, not generalists today, companies want specialists who have done the job before. Develop a personal brand, distinguish your skills and strengths, and design your job search around industries or functions targeted to your background. For inspiration, study real-life job specifications online. Recently, for instance, a well-known software company was seeking a seasoned marketer skilled in developing online video for B2B marketing. Translation: specialize! 3. Recruiters search for candidates who know where theyre going Have a long-term career strategy or, at the very least, a strong sense for where youre headed. Ask yourself, Where do I see myself in five to 10 to 15 years? Then figure out what steps you need to take to get there. Having a clear, concise understanding of your career path can demonstrate your leadership maturity to potential employers. 4. Recruiters care about how you present as much as what you present Your communication skills can make or break your job search. For every situation, from interviews to networking events, know your key points in advance and be crisp and organized in communicating them. Practice your responses to common interview questions, determining the just right length to illustrate your strengths and experience, and using interesting, impactful examples as much as possible. 5. Recruiters anticipate well-crafted exit statements Be well-versed in discussing the movement on your résumé. If youve jumped around a lot, prepare your exit statement for every move. Also, if you have gaps between jobs, have an explanation for what you did during that time. 6. Recruiters have finely tuned BS detectors Be open, honest, and authentic. If you arent, you wont fool recruiters or employers, at least not for long. They will sense something isnt adding up and will get to the bottom of it. If youve had a bump or two along the road, personally or professionally, be upfront about them. Also, focus on the facts of any situation, not the emotions surrounding it. 7. Recruiters watch, look, and listen on social media Nearly all employers look at your profile online. Leverage that opportunity and have your online presence tell a story. Sure, you watch the appropriateness of what you post online, but take it a step further: tell your story and tout your brand.:third:

Thread starter Kottler Masoko
Start date Apr 21, 2011

Kottler Masoko

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7 secrets for smart job search.

Kottler Masoko

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