There Are No Absolutes In Job Search

The entire job search process and all of its elements should probably be approached  with a "trial and error" mentality.  If it were an exact science, this wouldn't be difficult.

Job seekers are looking for the "right answers" however, there isn't necessarily one right answer for each individual. 

RESUMES:

You'll find that no two people will give you the same feedback on your resume.  This is confusing as all get out.  Objective or no objective, one page vs. two and the list goes on and on.  What worked for one person may not necessarily work for you.  What this means is that you'll want to monitor the outcomes of the resumes you are sending to employers (not hit count your resume gets on the job boards). 

The one absolute on a resume is that it contains your name and contact information.

COVER LETTERS:

To include a cover letter or not?  No two people receiving resumes have the same process for reviewing them or preference in what they are looking for.  The general guideline is to include a well crafted one.

INTERVIEWS:

The process of hiring is highly personal.  It is about chemistry.  Even if you were the most talented and skilled candidate, you may not get the job.  There are even unknown factors that can prevent a job seeker from getting the job- an internal candidate comes forward at the last minute, a past employee wants to come back, the boss has a friend of a friend that needs a job, etc.

Get a lot of them and prepare well. It is a numbers game, you won't land every job you interview for.

NETWORKING:

Said to be the most effective job search method, networking won't work for everyone.  You are playing the odds.  If you are networking strategically with the "right" group of people AND you are doing it "well", your chances might increase.  It still won't guarantee you a job.

CONTACTING RECRUITERS:

It isn't enough just to contact them.   Again, there are so many variables when working with recruiters.  Be informed understand how they work and who they work with.

You'll want them to know you, trust you and believe they can make money by placing you and that you will "stick". 

LINKEDIN, FACEBOOK, TWITTER:

Social media is not the quick fix or magic bullet either.  These are only tools you can use to help provide you with information and a vehicle for spreading your message.  Not the message that you are unemployed, but the message that you are great at what you do.  These tools also can make it easier to build on line relationships which are not the same or necessarily as strong as personal relationships.  They have been known to lead to personal relationships however.

While there are no absolutes, there are best practices:

• Be sure of what you can do
• Be focused in the message you are delivering
• Be of great value and service
• Be able to tell good stories of your accomplishments
• Be "findable" online
• Be proactive in your search
• Be likeable
• Be authentic

Comments

[Career Sherpa]

Mike: "Be authentic" paired with an understanding of the need for this authenticity in the marketplace. I'm off to check out your revised site! Thanks for reading and commenting. In reference to your other post, all I can say is "great minds"!

[mike lally]

h. The last two words really resonate with me. Have you heard the ads being played on one of the radio stations? Certain people were picked to have their commercials recorded so that they can get a job. ALL of them are horrible. I've heard 3 I think. So boring. So l.a.m.e. And they all sound the same.

I think it is time to change it up. Time to stop using all the same words to describe yourself that every else uses. Yes, we know you are a self-starter. We know you are a unique and beautiful snowflake. But you sound like everyone else that is out there hoping and praying for work.

I just changed my about page. I took down all the polished and fancy stuff on my site. Gloves are off. I am fully self-aware. I know what I bring. I am going contrary. Running in the opposite direction of the herd.