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What To Do When You Get “No Response”

More and more job seekers are reporting success in landing a new position.  That’s great!  But what do you do if that does not describe YOUR situation yet?

Level of Engagement: 

Look first to the level of engagement you foster with your application activities.  If all you do is apply online for a generically posted job with a company you don’t know anything about – don’t be surprised if you never hear anything further.  If you haven’t invested much in them; chances are they won’t invest much in you, either. You might get an automated response, as soon as you hit “Submit” or shortly thereafter by email.  While that IS a response, you can do better! 

Re-think Your Approach:

The number one thing you can do when applying for jobs is to send a targeted, customized resume and cover letter (wait – don’t stop there!) based on intelligence gathered first, which includes building and maintaining internal connections with the company in question.  Instead of saying, “But I don’t know anyone there”, start by looking at companies where you DO already know someone.  Talk to 10 people you know who are employed and ask about the companies they work for.  Gain insider information.  Ask about company culture, how they are organized, strategic objectives, management style, and actual job titles they use to describe positions that align with your talents.  Do not worry about whether or not those companies are currently hiring.  The point is, they WILL be, sooner or later.  Start building those connections now. 

Reality Check:

It is true; the “perfect” posting is often far from perfect.  There may be 400 applicants for it.  It may be so detailed that only one person in a million would be perfectly qualified.  Many HR departments avoid phone calls like the plague.  Others have no actual experience with the jobseeker-end of their own applicant tracking systems thus having no idea how un-user-friendly their processes really are.  The hiring manager (a.k.a. subject matter expert for the position in question) may not be involved in the initial screening process.  Posted positions are not always well-budgeted for, or there is restructuring afoot, or there is already an internal candidate all picked and primed. 

Lesson to be learned: the best way to know if your resume writing and related application activities are worth the time and effort is to gather more information FIRST.  Hiring is at the discretion of the company.  You need to meet their needs first before they will meet yours.  And there is always someone truly ready, willing, and able to meet those needs and can demonstrate it without a moment’s hesitation.  Is that “someone” YOU?    

 Last note: this process takes time.  How much time?  As much time as it takes.  Keep your hope, energy and faith in yourself alive.  You can do this! 

 -Lisa

Connect with Lisa Mauri Thomas in LinkedIN.  Visit the Change Your Job, Change Your Life website for more information on resume writing and related services.

Resume Builder, JobsInsider, and Portfolio Display 

There is no such thing as a “magic bullet” in job search.  It takes daily dedication, determination and a great attitude while networking outside of your comfort zone.  That said, there are new tools that help make smaller tasks a bit easier.  I’ve written and spoken about the benefits of LinkedIn for a couple of years now and the tool continues to evolve and thrive in the job search, business development, networking and staffing arenas.

Check out 3 LinkedIn Tools and Apps:

1. Resume Builder:  Start with this link:  http://resume.linkedinlabs.com/.  For this app to work most effectively, you need to have a fairly complete profile as it automatically pulls your profile information into a resume display.  You can then toggle between 11 template styles including Classic, Executive, Business, Law and others.  Then, Outline Mode allows you to rearrange or delete categories. 

Advantages: The builder is quick and easy to use.  It converts to .PDF which means it is portable and can be used, sent and uploaded outside of LinkedIn.  I do like that it formats your profile information in a resume style which can give you a fresh perspective on how your content may be coming across to viewers.  That said, I believe the cons outweigh the pros on this one. 

Drawbacks:  To edit the resume content you have to edit your actual LinkedIn profile which creates a mirror image of the two.  In other words, there’s no way to have a resume that isn’t basically an exact replica of your full LinkedIn profile page.  Also, the template types do not make good use of available space and organizing principles.  And overall, it doesn’t eliminate the typical problems associated with resume templates.  More importantly, you cannot customize your LinkedIn Resume for specific positions of interest.  For greater versatility, you should also attach your existing Word and .PDF resumes with the Box.net application instead.  Biggest drawback of all:  feedback I’ve solicited directly from recruiters in my network regarding this tool have been quite poor.     

2. JobsInsider:  This is a Toolbar app.  You can find it easily by Googling “LinkedIn JobsInsider” or click here.  It works with MS Outlook, Internet Explorer and Firefox.  Essentially, it “links” at a glance who is in your network that works at a company featured in a job posting on Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed, Dice and others. 

Looking up and connecting with company insiders through LinkedIn has been advisable for years now.  This widget provides a shortcut. Once the toolbar is installed, visit one of the job search sites listed, pull up a posting of interest, and look for the JobsInsider window that opens alongside the posting. 

It will list how many of your LinkedIn connections exist at that company with direct links to the company’s profile as well as the individual profiles of those who work there.  This feature was already available for jobs posted within LinkedIn; now, it’s linked to external postings as well. 

3. Creative Portfolio Display:  For those requiring portfolios or simply to “go the extra mile” to showcase your talents visually, the Portfolio Display application comes in handy.  Similar to the SlideShare app, signup is free and easy with email opt-in verification.  You create a custom URL for your new Behance portfolio and build your new profile.  Current drop down choices are specific to creative fields such as Production Artists, Digital Imaging professionals and others. 

These 3 apps can be explored further to either take your job search to a new level, to jog creative ideas of your own and to jumpstart your networking efforts.  None of them are a “job search cure-all”.  For job search success you still need daily dedication to networking, company research, and active outreach through prescribed application channels.   And follow up, always follow up.  You can do this.  Good luck!

-Lisa

 Need more help?  Visit http://changeyourjob.us

Audit Your Progress with “Budget vs. Actual” Measures

One of the greatest frustrations around job search is how little control one has regarding the outcome. However, you CAN control some things and it’s important that you DO in order to avoid the sense of general hopelessness and apathy that plagues many job seekers.

Control Your Job Search:
To stay in control, make your job search tangible with measurable milestones along the way. Let’s take a page out of any budget manager’s toolkit, the “budget versus actual” comparison.

Budget or allocate what should ideally happen as part of your job search activities that YOU can control. Ideal outcomes are goals. Goals should be S.M.A.R.T.: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals for the Next 7 days:
• Choose 1 job title to focus upon and make sure every line of your resume fully supports this goal, directly or indirectly, from start to finish.
• Locate the names of 10 companies, within 10 miles from home, that have a history of employing people to do what you do best. Document your efforts.
• Prepare 1 brief, pleasant, and professional message that you can use and customize as needed within LinkedIn that: a) acknowledges something you know about the company, b) highlights three essential skills you’ve developed toward your specified goal, and c) requests a few minutes of the person’s time to discuss how and when the company is likely to hire for the role in question. Have others proofread your message. Ensure it reads clearly and is typo-free.
• Outreach to 10 new individuals in those companies through LinkedIn who directly impact the hiring process such as Recruiters or HR Directors and related job titles such as Department Chair, Operations Manager, Nurse Supervisor, etc. Document your efforts.
• Apply for 5 positions of interest that fit the specific job title identified, customizing your resume and cover letter to fully fit the description, and taking the necessary time to research the company to understand what they are about, what they do best, mission and vision, and to locate the name and title of an individual to specifically address your materials. Document your efforts.

Compare Ideals Against Reality:
At the end of the 7 day period, review what actually happened as a result of your efforts. Compare actual results against your budgeted goals. Count successful completions as appropriate and accurate. Which ones did you complete? How so or why not? Measure the gap.

Additional Job Search Metrics:
• Of the 10 outreach attempts, count the number that respond positively by the end of the 7 day period. Of those who do, invite them to formally connect with you via LinkedIn. Follow up once more with those who haven’t responded.
• Count the total number of connections you have. Then count and “tag” the number that fall into each of the following categories: hold same job title you want, recruiter or HR representative, hiring manager for a position you desire, otherwise affiliated with your industry, and unrelated to your industry or goal. Calculate the percentages of each category as represented in your network. Which categories are strong (i.e. 20% or higher) and which categories are in critical need of strengthening? You should further refine this by narrowing categories and tags to your targeted geographic area.
• Review which online posting boards have yielded the best results. Of those that do, continue to use them. Of those that don’t use them less or replace with another. If none of them have yielded positive results, have your resume and cover letter professionally evaluated.  Smaller, niche sites like Hireway are recommended over large, general job boards.
• Organize all your job search notes in a systematic way that is easy to develop further. Update them daily, or at least weekly. Use the “holes” in your information to guide your next steps.
• If your job search efforts have been largely unsuccessful over the past 90+ days, start over. Look at this as a brand new job search period that will last 90-120 days, maximum. Restructure your search strategy and identify critical measures in advance. Track your progress daily or weekly. Focus twice as much on networking, outreach, and developing critical contacts than pursuing online job leads (follow the strategy listed above).

Continuously Improve the Quality of Your Job Search:
You can measure your progress in multiple ways: ratio of applications to interview requests, number of informational interviews requested compared to number granted, ratio of applications to followup activities within 1 week, and more. Come up with metrics of your own and tweak your process as you go.

You can do this. Plus, feel free to suggest additional metrics!

-Lisa

Use the following 6 tips to critique your own resume or simply start over:

1. Your name and contact information… Keep this simple and to the point. Bold your name but not your contact info. And you don’t need to list your street address. Case in point: when is the last time you received anything from a prospective employer by mail? Plus, if you’re posting your resume online, it is wise to protect your privacy. Note: some recruiters and job posting sites, like Hireway, use zip code in their search criteria.

2. Your objective, profile, summary… Whatever you want to call it. Your resume needs to indicate why someone would be reading it – be specific and clear! Don’t come off as vague or generalized or some kind of “jack-of-all-trades”. Think of it as the mini-excerpt around your professional life. “Objective” is a good term for entry-level goals. “Profile” is more of a professional-to-executive term. “Summary” is a good catch-all if you’re not sure what to use. Whether you label it or not, this section highlights the core strengths and experience you bring to the proverbial table – but don’t forget to “back it up” throughout your resume and always “speak the language” in the job posting or your informational interview notes by using same keywords and essential phrases.

3. Core competencies… This is a nice touch and strengthens your objective or profile area. Choose between 3-6 keywords or phrases to highlight. This area becomes a highly customizable way to hone in on what the prospective employer is looking for from you as a truly viable candidate. Again, back it up throughout your resume.

4. Work history… Highlight your job titles held. Include dates of employment. Format according to personal preference but keep in mind that bulleted statements are easier to scan quickly by human eyes, whereas your talents can get lost in paragraph style entries. Stay within 3-5 statements; otherwise you risk trying to “say everything” which is counter-productive. Use this formula for all statements: Action Word + Detail + Impact. Quantify and/or indicate the value of your actions and tasks. Too many people list an action word along with a detail, and then…. stop. Follow the formula through to a powerful finish.

5. Education… List this above your work history if you are a new grad or if your education provides stronger support of your goal than your work history does. List degrees earned, schools attended, and graduation dates.

6. Other… You might include interests or hobbies, technical skills, affiliations and memberships, keywords, licenses, or note that references are available upon request. No matter what: these “other” items should support your goal and overall format.

Consider purchasing a full, professional resume critique either as a stand-alone or one that includes professional resume formatting help. Another set of eyes can quickly note typos, awkward sentence structure, messy formatting, and provide feedback about how clearly your goal is stated and supported throughout your resume.

Critiques should be conducted by someone who has writing and editing skills, certainly, along with a working knowledge of how applicant tracking systems work.  They should also have a human resources or recruiting background as well as experience as a hiring manager – so they will know best what to look for and evaluate on your resume. Not sure where to start? Start here along with references and recommendations from satisfied clients.

-Lisa

Good morning!  I critique resumes for a living and in my review of literally 1000′s of resumes per year, I come across one particular phenomenon on a regular basis:  some people have a really great resume yet they are not seeing the desired results in their job search.  As I dig into this conundrum with individual job-seekers, I quickly identify a common problem.  The issue is not with their resume.  It is their very job search strategy (or lack of one) that is the problem.  So, in the spirit of service and collaboration, I have provided a Job Search Checklist for your consideration and use.  These 12 tips can help you get organized toward job search success.

Starting Strong:
Whether you need to find new employment now or just want to be open to new opportunities out there, you need to devise a organizational system to support you through to success.  Without a method to stay on track, you won’t.  It’s that simple.

The Basics:
Feel free to copy/paste this list of 12 tips and use as your own personal checklist.

1. Calendar in which to pre-schedule your job-search activities in chunks such as company research time, calling companies and network contacts with express purpose to set up 15 minute informational interviews, sending thank you cards to those who helped you within the past 24 hours, etc.
2. Phone book or website listing of companies in your target area that hire for what you are truly qualified to do, that you can research before contacting.
3. All the business cards and other personal/professional contacts you have gathered over the years.
4. Personal email address, i.e. myname@gmail.com or similar professional naming convention (nothing weird or sexy, folks!)
5. LinkedIn account to aid your research and scope of network.  Use LinkedIN to cross-reference your list (item 2).
6. Core resume that targets a clear goal that you can customize further as needed each time you send it out, that has been fully proofed and professionally critiqued.  This may be an e-resume, such as GigTide.com, that allows you to easily link to your portfolio or Flickr account showing samples of your talents.
7. Dynamic cover letter that pairs well with your resume which further supports your goal with examples of your abilities and accomplishments.
8. List of 6 references that you have contacted recently who will lend credence to the content of your resume and cover letter.  Also ask these people to recommend you in LinkedIN.
9. A list of “talking points” you keep at the ready to use during screening interviews, networking opportunities, etc that clearly articulate your goal and combat any perceived “negatives”, i.e. fired from last job, overqualified, relocation, etc.
10. Boxes of note cards so that you can quickly send a personal thank you to any interviewers and networking contacts who talk to you (it adds a nice and personal yet professional element to your interactions).
11. List of 10+ prepared potential questions to ask of employers during and toward end of interviews, including those on the phone.
12. A notebook, spreadsheet or other organizational tool in which to enter all of your notes regarding: company contact names and numbers, company research information, last date of contact and reason, next planned date of contact and purpose, and more – such a tool allows you to maintain momentum for 90 days or longer.

Have a great day, everyone!

-Lisa

Every day I witness these amazing examples of two teams on a shared playing field, jobseekers and employers, who can’t FIND each other! Hireway combines ethical recruiting on behalf of human resources and hiring managers with the diligence, fairness and feedback that jobseekers deserve.

While there is a cost to drive employment success, costs should be justifiable, manageable and sustainable – for both sides. That said, employers can post jobs for free on Hireway (most job posting sites are moderately to outrageously expensive for employers). This benefits jobseekers directly. A more affordable search process can mean a quicker process; and today more than ever, jobseekers need to see faster results. I am a former HR Director and hiring manager, now championing the jobseekers out there who need to be able to navigate this current job search minefield with their dignity intact.

Jobseekers have also born a cost. Recruiters are now charging jobseekers thousands of dollars with the “hope” of finding them something that will pay the mortgage. Happens in every bad economy; saw this up close and personal back in 1991 when I was looking for my first job out of college in a recession. If that is not your direction of choice, you should still be able to get substantial, in-depth guidance at an affordable price.

For example, everyone has become more of a “do-it-yourselfer” in this economy. Writing your own resume is not new yet resume writing firms are everywhere. These firms charge hundreds of dollars to write your resume for you. But that begs the question: why pay someone hundreds of dollars to write about you, when YOU are the expert on you? So I urge you to take a stab at writing your own resume.  If that doesn’t work for you, resume writers are easy to find.

But that said, let’s talk about resume critiques. Free resume critiques are everywhere, which brings to mind the old adage, “you get what you pay for”. Resume writing firms offer free resume critiques to capture your contact information and upsell their resume writing packages to you. Some of these free critiques are even automated. You’ll know which ones are when you receive your resume critique feedback in under 2 minutes from the moment you hit “submit”. There is NO way a pair of human eyes reviewed your credentials or provided thoughtful yet critical evaluation of your content that fast. Beyond that, many resume writers are trained as persuasive writers, which is not the equivalent of bringing an HR or hiring manager’s perspective to your resume.

How do you get insightful, in-depth feedback on your resume that will go the distance and be transferable to every resume version you can produce? Seek out truly professional, qualified expertise. And you should be able to find such a service for roughly the price of a tank of gas. Your career progression is a worthwhile investment but it shouldn’t break your piggy bank.

Whether you are an employer or a jobseeker, enjoy this site and succeed beautifully!

Lisa Thomas
http://changeyourjob.us