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3 Job Search Problems -- Solved
by Kevin Donlin - Guranteed Resumes - Click for Info
This week, I'll tackle three common job search problems sent in by readers,
in hopes that the answers will help you find your ideal job faster.
These tips come from my client files and will work in today's job market -- or
any other.
Problem: "I'm not finding enough job listings in my field."
Solution: There are two ways to fix this: look for job listings differently and
look in niches.
First, if you're having trouble finding suitable jobs online or in the
newspaper, try searching for a broader range of job titles. Example: instead of
looking for "sales rep" openings at Monster.com, expand your search to include
"account executive," "sales/marketing rep," "client service representative,"
etc. Start broad and winnow your list down.
Second, look in smaller niches. That's because most people limit their online
job search to just a handful of well-known, monstrous Web sites. But that's
where all the competition is.
Instead, create a list of "niche" job sites by going to Google.com or Alexa.com
and typing in the following: "YOUR INDUSTRY + jobs + YOUR CITY/STATE" without
the quotes.
Examples of the specialized, "niche" job sites that a quick search turned up:
If you're a Catholic, there's www.catholicjobs.com
If you love baseball, there's www.baseballjobs.net and even a site for MINOR
league baseball jobs - www.minorleaguebaseball.com/jobs
If you want a job as a chef, there are www.finediningjobs.com,
www.chefjobsnetwork.com and many, many more.
Your aim in searching niche employment sites is simple: look for jobs where you
have less competition.
Problem: "I'm lacking a job search strategy. I need a methodology to help me
target the right position and company."
Solution: Briefly, you should write your job search objective down, schedule
your activities, then "meet" with yourself once a week to assess your progress.
Now, the details.
First, write down EXACTLY what kind of job you are looking for. Include the
title, the 3 main skills involved, and at least 3 companies you'd be happy
working for.
Then, schedule your efforts for the rest of today and this week. Set specific,
measurable goals for each day. Example: "I will apply to 5 jobs online and 3
from the newspaper, call 5 networking contacts, set up one networking lunch, and
call to follow up with 5 employers I applied to last week."
Finally, hold a 15-minute weekly "meeting" with yourself (or with a friend) and
answer these 3 questions:
1. What did I do last week that produced job leads? Do more of that.
2. What didn't produce leads last week? Change that or stop doing it.
3. What will I do next week? Schedule the next 7 days to make the best use of
your time.
You'll be pleasantly *shocked* at how the act of writing this all down will
crystallize your thinking and focus your efforts. Doing so takes only 5-10
minutes a day, which means you have no excuse not to.
Try it. Today.
Problem: "How do I create a resume that's not simply a summary of past work?"
Solution: Most resumes fall into this trap. I call them "tombstones" -- long,
dry lists of names, places and dates that spell death for your job search. Why?
Such resumes fail to answer the one question every employer has in mind: What
can you do for me?
To answer that question, and instantly improve your resume, you must tell
employers -- specifically -- what you've done before. This means your resume
should focus squarely on RESULTS.
If you weren't fired in your first 30 days at your last job, congratulations!
You were either making more money or saving more money than they were paying you
in salary. This is axiomatic.
And it means that measurable results lie hidden -- right now -- in your work
history. It's up to you to dig them up and stick them in your resume, using
specific dollars, percentages and other numbers.
Here's an example of how to describe results you've produced on the job, taken
from a business analyst resume I wrote.
BEFORE
Planned and managed operating budgets.
AFTER
Cut costs by 21.5% during tenure, reducing annual supply budget from $120,000 to
$94,000, while increasing accountability. Planned and managed $3-million
operating budgets.
See the difference? (That client did -- she got two job offers in one day.)
Now, go out and make your own luck!
Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes.
Since 1996, he and his team have provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in all 50 states and 23 countries. Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, CBS MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal's National Business Employment Weekly, CBS Radio, and many others.
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