5 Tips That Will Take your Job Search to the Next Level
Posted: 05.26.2016
You have been diligently applying for jobs, creating profiles on every job website you can find, you have created a Linked-In Profile, you have spread the word to your friends and family that you are looking for a job and you still are coming up short-handed when it comes to landing an interview. You feel like every spare minute you have, you are dedicating to your job search.
So why aren’t things clicking, interviews happening and offers being made?
It may be because that is what 90% of the job seeker pool is doing to find a job. To land a position in today’s competitive landscape you must think outside of the box when it comes to finding your next perfect Career match.
Here are some tips that can help you take your job search to the next level:
1. Don’t Just Create a Linkedin Profile – USE IT!
Linkedin is widely known as the best social networking platform for those looking to advance their Careers. Did you apply to a position on a job board today? Did you follow-up with trying to find an HR contact within that company on Linkedin and reach out to let them know you applied and why you are a qualified match for the position? If you didn’t… why not? Direct connections are the #1 reason that I have a Linkedin Profile and believe me; it works to my advantage almost 75% of the time.
Other ways that I suggest utilizing Linkedin include: joining groups of interest, liking content, adding connections that relate to your profession and posting your own content.
2. Join & Attend Each and Every Networking Event you Can Find That Relates to Your Experience.
Are you a Marketing Professional? Accounting Professional? Engineering Professional? Did you know there are associations and online groups for nearly every profession? JOIN THEM! Get involved. Meet people. This is the best way to build your professional profile and meet like-minded contacts that could be able to assist you in your job search.
3. Create a Personal Branding Statement (Objective) that WOWS!
Does your resume include phrases such as “Looking for a Rewarding Job in Sales Where I Can Utilize My Skill Sets” or “Dedicated Accountant with 5 Years’ Experience”. Most resumes that we see at TorontoJobs.ca include the exact same opening statement. Did you know that the average recruiter spends approximately 10 seconds glancing at your resume before deciding whether or not they want to keep reading? I would suggest you really look at your Objective and ask yourself if it really portrays who you are within 10 seconds. Does it speak to your Accomplishments? Writing Style? Experience? Believe it or not you can create a Personal Branding Statement that can “wow” in fewer than 3 sentences… watch…
“Professional Profile: Offering more than 10 years of experience delivering innovative approaches to online marketing, communications, strategic planning, new product launches and lead generation. As a results-oriented, self-starter with extreme passion and dedication, I believe in relationship building and client solutions as a key contributor to growth and success.”
Now it’s your turn. Really evaluate your opening statement. Does it wow?
4. Volunteer
This might be one tip that you are thinking, “Rachel, I have heard this before”. Have you listened to the advice? Over the past 10 years, TorontoJobs.ca has taken on 50+ co-ops, interns and volunteers. I can honestly say that 75% of the people that have assisted us over the years have found careers as a result of gaining experience by working with us or by meeting HR staff and contacts at events they have assisted us with.
Unsure about where to find places to volunteer? I will give you some insight. Are you looking to connect with HR Managers? There are 30+ job fairs that take place in the GTA in any given year. Email the Event Manager to see if you can help out… what a better way to meet people that make hiring decisions. Are you looking for a job in the non-profit sector? There are 100’s of events that take place for charity – volunteer! I am certain that with your trusty confidant “Google” you will find events, companies, etc. that are looking for volunteers to assist them with projects, events, etc.
5. Brand yourself as an Expert and Show your Skills in a Unique Way
It is one thing to humbly brag about your skills on your resume but it elevates you above the other applicants if you can uniquely prove to the employer you possess these skill sets. Are you in the Graphic Design Industry? Create an online website (free with WIX or a similar website creation tool) to display your portfolio and include this link on your resume. Are you in Sales? Include some testimonials from past clients on your resume to prove you were an outstanding Account Manager. Looking for a job in Customer Service? Create a YOUTUBE Video displaying your CSR skills and outstanding personality. Have this link on your resume.
There are many ways that you can out-smart the competition and impress the hiring manager. Think outside the box!
Being in the Employment Industry for over 10 years, I have heard the same phrase over and over… “I apply for jobs online and never get a response”. I hope this article helps those that are strictly applying and waiting for a response to think a bit outside of the box in their strategy.
Good luck in your search!
This article was written by Rachel Mitchell, Manager of Business Development for TorontoJobs.ca. Rachel has been Developing Business & Marketing Plans and Strategies within the Recruitment Landscape for 10 years. To contact Rachel, please email rachel.mitchell@torontojobs.ca
So why aren’t things clicking, interviews happening and offers being made?
It may be because that is what 90% of the job seeker pool is doing to find a job. To land a position in today’s competitive landscape you must think outside of the box when it comes to finding your next perfect Career match.
Here are some tips that can help you take your job search to the next level:
1. Don’t Just Create a Linkedin Profile – USE IT!
Linkedin is widely known as the best social networking platform for those looking to advance their Careers. Did you apply to a position on a job board today? Did you follow-up with trying to find an HR contact within that company on Linkedin and reach out to let them know you applied and why you are a qualified match for the position? If you didn’t… why not? Direct connections are the #1 reason that I have a Linkedin Profile and believe me; it works to my advantage almost 75% of the time.
Other ways that I suggest utilizing Linkedin include: joining groups of interest, liking content, adding connections that relate to your profession and posting your own content.
2. Join & Attend Each and Every Networking Event you Can Find That Relates to Your Experience.
Are you a Marketing Professional? Accounting Professional? Engineering Professional? Did you know there are associations and online groups for nearly every profession? JOIN THEM! Get involved. Meet people. This is the best way to build your professional profile and meet like-minded contacts that could be able to assist you in your job search.
3. Create a Personal Branding Statement (Objective) that WOWS!
Does your resume include phrases such as “Looking for a Rewarding Job in Sales Where I Can Utilize My Skill Sets” or “Dedicated Accountant with 5 Years’ Experience”. Most resumes that we see at TorontoJobs.ca include the exact same opening statement. Did you know that the average recruiter spends approximately 10 seconds glancing at your resume before deciding whether or not they want to keep reading? I would suggest you really look at your Objective and ask yourself if it really portrays who you are within 10 seconds. Does it speak to your Accomplishments? Writing Style? Experience? Believe it or not you can create a Personal Branding Statement that can “wow” in fewer than 3 sentences… watch…
“Professional Profile: Offering more than 10 years of experience delivering innovative approaches to online marketing, communications, strategic planning, new product launches and lead generation. As a results-oriented, self-starter with extreme passion and dedication, I believe in relationship building and client solutions as a key contributor to growth and success.”
Now it’s your turn. Really evaluate your opening statement. Does it wow?
4. Volunteer
This might be one tip that you are thinking, “Rachel, I have heard this before”. Have you listened to the advice? Over the past 10 years, TorontoJobs.ca has taken on 50+ co-ops, interns and volunteers. I can honestly say that 75% of the people that have assisted us over the years have found careers as a result of gaining experience by working with us or by meeting HR staff and contacts at events they have assisted us with.
Unsure about where to find places to volunteer? I will give you some insight. Are you looking to connect with HR Managers? There are 30+ job fairs that take place in the GTA in any given year. Email the Event Manager to see if you can help out… what a better way to meet people that make hiring decisions. Are you looking for a job in the non-profit sector? There are 100’s of events that take place for charity – volunteer! I am certain that with your trusty confidant “Google” you will find events, companies, etc. that are looking for volunteers to assist them with projects, events, etc.
5. Brand yourself as an Expert and Show your Skills in a Unique Way
It is one thing to humbly brag about your skills on your resume but it elevates you above the other applicants if you can uniquely prove to the employer you possess these skill sets. Are you in the Graphic Design Industry? Create an online website (free with WIX or a similar website creation tool) to display your portfolio and include this link on your resume. Are you in Sales? Include some testimonials from past clients on your resume to prove you were an outstanding Account Manager. Looking for a job in Customer Service? Create a YOUTUBE Video displaying your CSR skills and outstanding personality. Have this link on your resume.
There are many ways that you can out-smart the competition and impress the hiring manager. Think outside the box!
Being in the Employment Industry for over 10 years, I have heard the same phrase over and over… “I apply for jobs online and never get a response”. I hope this article helps those that are strictly applying and waiting for a response to think a bit outside of the box in their strategy.
Good luck in your search!
This article was written by Rachel Mitchell, Manager of Business Development for TorontoJobs.ca. Rachel has been Developing Business & Marketing Plans and Strategies within the Recruitment Landscape for 10 years. To contact Rachel, please email rachel.mitchell@torontojobs.ca
