Interview/Job Tip Sheet

Looking for work is hard enough, but, trying to keep track of all your job searches can be an even more daunting task.
Debra Wheatman, certified résumé writer & career coach, of Careers Done Write, offers some helpful hints to make it easier to manage and organize this information.
Planning:
An effective job search takes proper planning.
Keep a list of target companies & reasons for interest.
To keep yourself on track, retain reference dates of résumés sent, responses, and any follow-up.
Maintain accurate notes to avoid confusion with contact names and company details.
Résumé and Cover Letter:
Make sure your résumé is focused and results-oriented. Try to include metrics to highlight verifiable achievements. Include a summary statement at the top (3-to-8 lines) to help you stand out from your peers. Next, include a core competency section with relevant, hard-hitting key areas that show the strengths you possess.
Ensure the documents are thoroughly checked for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. One of the main reasons applicants are not selected for interviews stems from errors on applications materials.
Resources:
Avail yourself of some relevant reading materials to facilitate your search. Some resources of interest include: Negotiating Your Salary, How to Make $1,000 a Minute by Jack Chapman; The Successful Communicator, by Earl Nightingale; Winning, by Jack Welch.
Social Networking:
LinkedIn: This web site allows registered users to maintain a list of contact details of people they know, and trust, in business. The people in the list are called connections. Users can invite anyone (whether a site user or not) to become a connection. There is no fee to become a LinkedIn user. Job seekers can review the profile of hiring managers and discover which of their existing contacts can introduce them. Seekers can also join user groups, post questions, and even promote themselves for possible opportunities. If you haven’t already created a profile on this site, visit www.linkedin.com.
Plaxo: An online address book and social networking service, allowing users to automatically update contact information. (Sort of like an online rolodex). Users and their contacts store their information on Plaxo’s servers. When this information is edited by the user, the changes appear in the address books of all those who listed the account changer in their own books. Once contacts are stored in the central location, it is possible to list connections between contacts and access the address book from anywhere.
Facebook: A social networking website where users can join networks, organized by city, workplace, school, and region, to connect and interact with other people. People can also add friends and send them messages, & update their personal profile to notify friends about themselves.
Traditional Networking:
Consider joining relevant industry groups that either interact, via regular meetings or online forums. This is an ideal way to expand your network and cultivate positive relationships that can facilitate a productive search. Conduct ongoing follow-up to maintain connections.
Research groups that offer the best possible resources for your professional background and interests. There are many groups available. Given your own time constraints, and other obligations, choose the groups wisely to prevent wasting time.
Networking provides sources that have access to information, develops a referral base, and provides the opportunity to form formal introductions from hiring authorities.
Recruiters:
Identify and establish relationships with industry recruiters. These relationships are important. Intermittent emails, or phone calls, will ensure you remain ‘top of mind’ for upcoming opportunities. Use college placement offices, and trade/professional journals, too.
Online Posting:
Use niche sites related to your respective career. You should also use aggregators like www.indeed.com, larger sites like www.monster.com, www.hotjobs.com, and www.careerbuilder.com can also be used, but, this should not be the focal point of your search. Often, résumés go unnoticed in cyberspace, with thousands of jobs posted and millions of people responding.
Other sample sites include: www.dice.com; www.nationjob.com; www.jobsingovernment.com; www.attorneysatwork.com; www.recruitersonline.com; www.headhunder.com; www.6figurejobs.com; www.intelligencecareers.com.
For further information, contact Debra Wheatman, at debra@careersdonewrite.com or visit www.careersdonewrite.com or call 732.444.2854.