Job Search Advice + Bonus FREE Resume Critique AT THE MOVIES: PART 1

Job hunters must take their résumé writing, job search strategy, and time management skills as seriously as I do. So if your résumé and job search are off to a rocky start you can send your resumé to me at perry@perrynewman.com for some expert, free advice.

To help you understand what a job search entails here are a few more tips offered in a way I know you can relate like Andrew C who said, “Being in the careers space myself, I read a lot of content that is helpful for job-seekers… yours is pure genius though.” Sometimes to understand a set of circumstances better, you need to compare it with other situations that you’re familiar with. So today I will share my movie buff side with you and take you on a tour of the silver screen and see what we can learn “At The Movies.”

LOST IN TRANSLATION
You know how great you are! Your former boss – the one who regretted laying you off – is going to miss taking credit for your ideas and accomplishments! The team members you led for the past X years know how valuable your leadership skills are and how sorely you will be missed! The vendors you dealt with will miss your problem solving and relationship management skills! The receptionist will miss your warm smile and kind words of encouragement! The accounting, IT, sales and marketing departments will miss the little things you do that make their work product better than it will be without you! As a matter of fact everyone you have come into contact with in business knows that you are no Average Joe, and they can all attest to the fact that you are one of the best in the business at what you do. The only people who will think of you as just another one of the myriad number of average out of work employees, managers and executives are the people who judged you by your resumé.

So here are two suggestions I think all job seekers, and especially mid level to senior level managers and VP and CXO level executives should take to heart. One is to make sure you look as good on paper as you do in person. Be very selective when choosing someone to help you write your resumé. Make sure you are an equal partner and can collaborate freely with the resumé writer; be careful what information you agree to put on or leave off your resumé; and most important make sure your resumé looks and reads crisp, clean and clear so you come across as a candidate every prospective employer must meet.

My second tip is to accumulate as many written recommendations as you can from people who will confirm your achievements and the truthful claims to greatness you have made on your resumé. Post them on your linked-in page or personal website. Then direct people in your network and prospective employers to them by hyperlinking them to your resumé or by word of mouth. If you are really bold you might even put two or three select references or quotes from them on your resumé as validation of who you are. What ever you do make sure the’ story you tell about a great prospective hire does not get lost in the translation. (Take advantage of my free resume critique offer above)

NETWORK
You have heard and read this a hundred times before, however not every job hunter heeds this advice. A job search is in and of itself a full-time job that requires serious game planning, meticulous execution, and a minimum commitment of 30 hours every week.

So how much time and effort do you put into your job search? Be honest now. Are you unemployed, slacking off, and putting golf, the gym, watching TV and personal tasks ahead of your job search way too often? If you are, I suggest you go to the nearest mirror, look yourself straight in the eyes and shout at the top of your lungs “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it.” Then promise yourself that “from now on I will elevate my job search to the top, and not keep it in the middle or at the bottom of my list of “Important Things to do Today.”

FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL
Gotcha…. you thought the previous tip was about networking for a job; well you were wrong, this one is. Being a Certified Social Media Strategist I am one of the biggest proponents of using Linked-in, Twitter, Facebook, blogs like this, and any quality social media outlet to network and show your bonifides. Still equally important is the need for face-time. This is why you need to get out more and attend weddings, funerals, chamber of commerce meeting, alumni gatherings, CPE courses, network nights, workshops, and even religious events so you can see and be seen by the right people. As you can see I did not mention job fairs as I find them to be cattle calls, but there is a place for them as well.

You might have an outstanding virtual image but there is nothing like being out there and having people see you as a human being. Social media, websites, emailing and texting are all nice networking tools to use, but meeting with people face to face as often as possible should have a place near the top of your job search list of ‘Things to Do.’

Author:
Perry Newman, CPC CSMS is a nationally recognized executive resume writer, job transition coach, AIPC certified recruiter and SMMU certified social media strategist known for his ability to help people get results. You can view sample resumes at http://www.perrynewman.com/ and email your resume for a free resume critique to perry@perrynewman.com