A recent study reported on Forbes.com indicates that the biggest mistakes job seekers make are:
1. Taking too many breaks from the search, particularly after making progress.
It’s OK to take the occasional breather, but don’t allow yourself lengthy breaks every time you make progress. Keep the momentum going.
2. Not dedicating enough time to the process. Almost 44% of job seekers spend less than three hours per day looking for a new position.
Research shows that people who put more time into their job search find jobs sooner. If you are unsure about what to do next, visit your local workforce center, read a job search book, peruse the internet for tips, or talk to others for advice on how to increase your efforts.
3. Letting emotions and frustration get the best of you.
Looking for a job can be grueling and emotional, but there are ways to stay calm. Try daily exercising, eat healthily, and develop and use a good support system. Get together with a close friend or family member and do something fun with them when having a bad job search day.
4. Putting all your eggs in one basket.
Even if you are extremely confident about a particular job opportunity, don’t devote all of your time and energy to one potential position. Continue your search until you have a definite job offer.
5. Failing to bounce back from a day without progress.
Stay positive and motivated. Make a daily to-do list. Treat your job search like a sales job and sell yourself with the same belief and enthusiasm that you would sell a product. Believe in your benefits and values to an employer. Remind yourself daily about the things you have to offer an employer.
6. Getting distracted by errands, household tasks and child care, and leaving too little time for the search.
Establish a routine. Comsider spending the morning checking for new job openings and researching companies, and the afternoon networking or planning networking activities, and following up on any openings for which you have applied. Keep household tasks for evening as if you were working full time. See you job search as a full-time job.
7. Failing to get help reviewing your résumé.
You might think your résumé is flawless, but chances are you’re wrong. Have at least two or three people review your résumé for spelling errors, irrelevant information, and skills you haven't profiled.
8. Not diversifying your job search. Some people rely solely on online job postings; others depend only on networking.
Find a balance. Don't spend too much time at your computer. You need to be contacting people you know and going to business socials or events.
9. Failing to tailor your résumé with relevant key words for each job application.
Customizing your résumé is crucial. A tailored résumé tells an employer that you’ve done your homework and you’re serious about the job. If you’re not sure how to do this, use the internet or ask a friend, former colleague, or career expert for help.
10. Jumping into a search with expectations that are either too specific or too broad.
Approach the job search with an open mind, but set some boundaries for yourself. Companies want applicants who closely fit the job posting. Apply for which you are qualified.
11. Becoming isolated from friends and family because you spend too much time searching for jobs.
Build in some social time every week. Your networking meetings will be a part of this. However, it is important to schedule something with friends or family because you are not seeing coworkers every day. This can get isolating.
12. Forgetting to include occasional breaks for personal or social activities.
It’s important to take breaks for social activities and personal time, but limit yourself. Frequent and long breaks can destroy your chances of finding employment.
13. Rushing into the process too quickly.
Do your homework. Looking for a job is a process that has a big learning curve. Talk to others who have been in your shoes about lessons they've learned and mistakes they've made. Consult job search books or go to a job search class.
Arlene Schwartz Personalized Resume Service provides you with over 15 years experience in resume writing, preparingresumes and cover letters to secure interviews and optimize jobopportunities for high-level executives, professionals,technical specialists, and new graduates in diverse fields. She has expertise in writing resumes for all levels of workers, including:
• CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CIOs, presidents, and vice presidents • Sales executives, directors, managers, and representatives • Computer, IT, networking, directors, and managers • Medical and healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, PTs, OTs) • Lawyers, finance managers, and accountants • Teachers, administrators, counselors, and school psychologists • Engineers,operations managers, project managers,plant managers, and supply chain managers
and more
Arlene's clients are located in Cleveland, Akron, and throughout Ohio; almost every state in the United States; and worldwide in Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Arlene's resume writing and job finding assistance give you the tools to clearly illustrate your unique benefit and value to an employer by quantifying your accomplishments, telling yourspecific story, and using key words to focus on your skills and competencies. Her resume writing style uses powerful action words, eye-appealing layouts, and profiles that grab and hold the attention of employers and recruiters. Arlene's resumes avoid fluff, maximizing your marketability.
If you are seeking a new job, career advancement, career change, or just want to explore your options, you need a resume writer who works collaboratively with you to identify your needs, assists you in focusing on your goals, and writes a high quality, personalized resume that entices employers to want to meetyou. Arlene has a passion for helping you through the resume writing and job search process, and a record of resume writingsuccess.
RESUME SERVICES
Resume Writing
Executive Resume Writing
Curriculum Vitae (CVs) - Medical, Academic, Scientific
Cover Letters to Employers and Recruiters
Microsoft Word (.doc and .rtf), ASCII, and PDF Files
Job-Finding Toolkits
Outplacement Resume Packages
Thank You Notes
Job Search and Interview Tips
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Your resume isa marketing tool, not a biography.
Emphasize skills and accomplishments not responsibilities and tasks in your resume and during interviews.
Quantify your achievements using numbers and percentages, and use examples of problems, actions, and results (PAR statements).
Never say, "I was responsible for ...". Say I managed, orchestrated, spearheaded, directed, championed, drove, produced, saved, increased. Wipe responsible for out of your vocabulary.
Always send a specific cover letter with your resume.
Make the specific cover letter the first page of your resume file, followed by your resume unless instructed to send two separate files.
Send your cover letter and resume as a PDF file to ensure that the file will not be corrupted and will be viewed as it should be when transmitted through the Internet (MS Word 2007 enables you to easily convert a doc or docx to a PDF file.
If you are required to send your resume as a Word file, send it as a Word 2003 documentattachment. Unless a company has upgraded to Word 2007 or they have downloaded a patch, they may be unable to open a docx file.
Place an E-Cover Letter and an ASCII file of your resume in the body of your e-mail when you send your resume as an attachment.
Send a hard copy of your resume, when possible, after sending your resume as an attachment.
If you can, follow up with a phone call to arrange a meeting.
Research the company and ask questions at your interview.
Make sure to get the names and titles of everyone who interviews you and send handwritten thank you noteswithin 24 hoursafter the interview.
To increase your chances of getting an interview when resubmitting your resume, consider revamping your Profile or Core Competencies, change your e-mail address, use LinkedIn to try to find a contact within the organization, and don't be afraid to pick up the phone, be persistent - keep calling until you reach that person. All you need is one YES!.
THE BEST WAY TO FIND A JOB IS THROUGH NETWORKING!
Do not quit your job before you have a new job.
Do not stopnetworking, sending out resumes, and following up.
Even when companies are laying off, they may continue hiring.
If You Have Been Laid-Off:
Allow yourself to be upset and grieve, express your feelings to someone you trust, and then let go of it and move on. Don't let your feelings interfere with your ability to conduct an effective job search.
Don't wait - start your job search now, create a resume and cover letter that clearly shows your skills and achievements, research and targetindustries and employers.
Explore new industries - sustainable energy, healthcare, medical device, education (teachers, counselors).
Be open to relocation.
Network with everyone you know, use the telephone and meet face-to-face with people.
Get on linkedin.com and use it.
Use cold calling and walk-in to apply in person.
Prepare for interviewing by knowing your resume well and being able to expound on everything on the resume. Read interviewing books (and this website), and role play using problem, action, result (PAR) statements. Make sure your answers are focused and no more than 2 minutes.
Follow-up with handwritten thank you notes.
Work at getting a job like a job.
Build a support network and be willing to give as much help as you hope to get.
DANGERS IN SOCIAL NETWORKING
If you are using social networking on sites like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter, be aware that anything you communicate online can and often will be accessedby current and future potential employers. Words are powerful tools, and they can be powerful in preventing you from getting your next job.
If you are seeking employment or will at any time in the future, do not undermine your chances by:
Complaining about your boss, coworkers, or customers
Expressing feelings of being overwhelmed by your work
Using unprofessionallanguage, including swearing
Exhibiting obnoxious or drunken behavior
Discussing activities that are illegal or show bad judgment
Providing questionable photos of you and your friends
Remember anything you write on these sites is accessible to employers forever and will be used to determine your desirability for a position. Don't hurt your chances of getting the job you really want!
WHAT'S INSIDE?
Frequently Asked Questions Answers to your questions about how to write and distribute your resume and cover letter. Tips on conducting your job search.
Successful Resumes Titles of some specific careers for which Arlene Schwartz has developed effective resumes and CVs for career advancement, career changes,outplacement, and new graduates in Ohio, California, Texas, Washington, Florida, throughout the U.S. and in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. List of some companies and organizations with which clients have secured positions.
What to Expect A description of the process of having your resume and cover letter developed by telephone and e-mail.
Testimonials A sampling of positive results and responses from clients all over the world.
Networking One of the best methods to secure a job is through networking with everyone you know and even those who you don't know. Tips to help you be a better networker.
Job Market Information on the best places to work and live, and careers, industries, and companies with the greatest possibility of finding jobs.
Best Methods for Using Your Resume Information on the most effective job searchmethods.
Enhancing Your Chances of Getting a Job Techniques for improving yourchances of getting a job in a highly competitive job market.
Resume Cover Letters Tips on writing cover letters to entice employers to want to meet you.
Interviewing Tips to help you with all aspects of the interview process.
References A guide to assist you in selecting and preparing your references to receive calls from potential employers and recruiters.
Thank You Notes How to write and use thank you notes, one of the most neglected aspects of a job search.
Job-Finding, Job Interview, Networking, Green Jobs, and Pharmaceutical Sales Jobs Book Stores Books recommended by job seekers and recruiters to assist you in the job search process, and sold through Amazon.com.
Links Great links to help you research companies and industries, find the best job postings, and assist you in locating job opportunities.
Hot Topics / Job News Latest information, tips, ideas, and reminders to help you with your job search.
AND MORE Guidelines for a Good Job Search Schedule Getting a job is a job! A good job search week for someone who is unemployed would include:
30-40 hours of work
15-30 contacts
2-3 new contacts with decision makers
Follow up contacts with decision makers
5-50 letters, notes, and e-mails
If you are employed, you can cut the numbers in half.
The average response is 1 interview for every in 200 resumes sent, according to Harvey MacKay (Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door), but if you follow the guidelines on this web site and use networking as your primary strategy, your rate will be much better.
In a job interview, you are most likely to get hired if you:
Talk half the time and the interviewer talks half the time
Answer questions between 20 seconds and 2 minutes
Send 2 thank you notes, one e-mailed for promptness and one handwritten and sent by snail mail for a personal touch
Type a note on quality paper and send it by snail mail if your handwriting is terrible
Sending resumes to Internet job postings is an ineffective method for finding a job with a 4% success rate. But if you are interested in IT, engineering, finance, or healthcare jobs, the success rate increases to 10%.
Mackay uses short chapters and interesting stories to show you how to be at your best when things are at their worst. His hard-hitting topics include: > Beating rejection > Networking to find jobs > The importance of lifelong learning > Acing interviews > Researching people / companies > Negotiating your next position MacKay offers a money back guarantee if you do not have a job after 6 months!
EMBOSSED GRAPHICS THANK YOU NOTES
JANUARY SPECIAL - 100 NOTES & ENVELOPES FOR THE PRICE OF 50 - $34.95
Perfect for after job interviews
Personalized embossed and printed thank you notes (50 per box) - ideal for sending after interviews, to references, and to anyone involved in assisting you with your job search.
