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Recession Proof Your Job Search
When the job market is tight, it may be
tempting to cut corners on your job search, but for the sake of landing a
position, please don’t. When it’s a buyer’s market, you owe it to yourself
and your family to put your best foot forward. To stand out, there are
three key factors you need to concentrate on—your resume, interview
skills, and a follow-up strategy.
Resume
While a homespun resume would have garnered interviews in the past, in a
tight market you have to step up your game. This isn’t a time to rely on a
friend’s goodwill and use her as your “resume writer.”
Search for a professional—a Nationally Certified Resume Writer or
someone who works at a One-Stop Center. A professionally written resume
can make the difference between getting called in for an interview and
getting overlooked.
To ensure the best possible service, ask to look at the writer’s resume
samples. Don’t get caught up in all of the hype regarding certifications
and publications. This advice may sound strange coming from a Nationally
Certified Resume Writer and published author, but I’ve been in the
career-services industry long enough to know that quality work trumps
credentials.
That said, you can and should add weight to the extras, but the bottom
line is that you have to be comfortable with the quality of work you will
receive.
Interview Skills
Admit it. How many interviews have you gone on without preparing? In a
job-seeker-friendly market when companies are clamoring for great
employees, the “wing it” method works just fine. But to compete in today’s
market, you have to invest time getting acquainted with common interview
questions and sample responses.
To get you started, here are a few.
Many candidates have submitted their resume for consideration. Why should
I hire you over other qualified candidates?
Keep in mind that the interviewer is
interested in your candidacy. That is the reason you are interviewing for
the position. When answering this question, mention the three main reasons
you stand out from others. Depending on your position, reasons can include
your proficiency in account management, customer service, and/or strategic
planning.
What do you know about our company?
There is a difference between wanting a job and taking a sincere interest
in working for the hiring organization. There are no shortcuts to
answering this question successfully; you have to conduct research.
What areas of your abilities would you like to improve upon?
This is a tricky way of asking, “What is your greatest weakness?”. Choose
an ability that needs improvement but isn’t an integral part of your job.
Follow-Up Strategies
The interview isn’t over when you walk out of the interviewer’s office.
Chances are, many candidates interviewed for the position before you did
and many more will interview for the position after you. To remain
competitive, it is essential that you write a follow-up letter.
This is advice most job seekers tend to ignore. And it’s a shame because
the follow-up letter can seal a job offer. This is because only a small
percentage of job seekers write a follow-up letter, so those who do take
the time to write one stand out.
Below is a sample of a follow-up letter.
Thank you for the opportunity to interview for <name of position>. The
level of professionalism displayed by the associates immediately impressed
me. Each was warm and exuded a level of enthusiasm that is contagious. My
initial impression of <name of company> was solidified during our
interview. From the information you relayed during our meeting, my
qualities <name qualities here> are a direct fit with the job opening.
Please know that I remain interested in working at <name of company>. If
necessary, I’m open to attending another round of interviews to explore
this opportunity further.
I can be reached at (631) 387-1894 or linda@careerstrides.com. I look
forward to your positive response.
In Closing
Following the advice above will make you more confident. Confidence leads
to more interviews. More interviews leads to job offers. Job offers leads
to career satisfaction. So what are you waiting for?
About the Author Certified in all three areas of the job
search—Certified Interview Coach ™ (CIC), Job & Career Transition Coach (JCTC),
and Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW)—Linda Matias is qualified to
assist you in your career transition, whether it be a complete career
makeover, interview preparation, or resume assistance. She is also the
author of How to Say It: Job Interviews which can be found at Amazon.com
or your local bookstore. You can contact Linda Matias at linda@careerstrides.com
or visit her website www.careerstrides.com for additional career advice
and to view resume samples. Also, subscribe to the CareerStrides YouTube
channel at www.youtube.com/careerstrides.
By Linda Matias
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Writers
Profile
Linda Matias
President, CareerStrides
Phone: (631) 387-1894
Email: linda@careerstrides.com
Website: www.CareerStrides.com
Website: www.CareerStridesOutplacement.com
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