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Success In a Job Search Requires Embracing New Tactics

Thursday, 03 November 2011 by Michael Hackmer
GovCon Career Webinar - Using LinkedIn

The world of a job seeker has changed dramatically in the last 10 years.

Gone are the days when we aggressively scanned the Sunday jobs section in the newspaper,and faxed off a dozen resumes to company HR departments. Today, there are new tactics and online tools that better equip job seekers for success in a highly competitive market.

For people interested in securing a job with a government contractor, Kathleen Smith, the chief marketing officer at ClearedJobs.Net, offered some important advice during yesterday’s GovWin GovCon Careers Webinar, “Getting Back To The Job Hunt.”

Watch the video presentation from this event below:

Shattering the Myths

Smith said that were a few myths people searching for jobs still operate under. Saying that “today’s job search is different,” she noted that “technology will control your access to employers and their access to you.”

For example, instead of relying on newspapers to identify opportunities and faxing your resume to human resources departments at various companies, the way you will find jobs that are right for you and be identified by employers is through keywords. Keywords highlight the requirements a particular employer is looking for as well as your skills and accomplishments.

This ties into the importance social networks are playing in the job search process. Many people seeking a new job after many years either out of the workforce or out of the job market believe that employers are “just going to have to find me the way I am.” However, employers use social networks like LinkedIn and Facebook to find and screen candidates. So, establishing keywords around your skills, building your online reputation and managing you as a brand are very important.

Of course, when faced with all of these technologies, a mentality that things are too hard can creep in. Smith says that people need to remember they they are “always learning new skills.”

Remember, a job search today will require new thinking. It is not just about what you do; it is about who you are, what you have to offer and how you package yourself. A job search will be an evolving project. And if it helps your thinking: Given the amount of time we spend at work, a job search is a quality of life search that requires your best effort.

LinkedIn is Essential for Job Seekers and Employers

LinkedIn is one of the most important tools for the modern-day job seeker. A network of millions of people all over the world, LinkedIn allows you to highlight your skills and value to a potential employer.

Smith says that to effectively use LinkedIn, you need to “craft your profile properly,” which means including:

  • A professional picture and detailed summary
  • A list of accomplishments to show your value
  • Links to any blogs, Twitter accounts or websites you are associated with

Smith also advises updating your LinkedIn profile “at least monthly” and “more so if in an active search.” This also means providing professional “status updates at least two to three times a week.”

Your network is part of your brand. As such, you need to reach out to all your past colleagues, professional contacts and friends and establish a connection with them on LinkedIn. This is one of the best ways to find out about opportunities.

But don’t just send the same message to each person in a chain email. Personalize your communication and find people you can write recommendations for who can return the favor. Positive recommendations are an excellent way to stand out to recruiters.

Facebook and Twitter Play Important Roles

Whether you are an active user of Facebook and Twitter or have never used the sites before, both are helpful in establishing a positive online presence. Smith says that Facebook users need to be sure to “set up the lists of people you share information with between your close friends and the general public” so potential employers only see relevant information and not too many personal details.

Also, when using Facebook and other social networks, be sure to “like” companies, organizations and government agencies that you are interested in. Smith says it’s important to “be part of key trade association groups in the industry” and customize your bio to include skills and keywords that recruiters can search on.

Last, on Twitter, be sure to “follow companies that you are interested in and/or their job posting feed” as well as follow and connect with recruiters. Sharing professional information is important, but Smith says to focus on “quality, not quantity.”

Put Aside Fear and Promote Yourself

Embracing and implementing new technologies and tactics in your job search can be an intimidating process. But as Smith says, “You really need to take a first step.” So get online, create your online profiles and get started highlighting who you are and what you are capable of in the workplace.

Cleared JobsClearedJobs.NetFacebookGovCon Careersjob seekerKathleen SmithLinkedInTwitter
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6 Essentials for a Government Contracting Resume and Cover Letter

Wednesday, 05 October 2011 by Michael Hackmer
Patricia Frame, GovCon Careers Webinar in October of 2011

Every time you seek a new job, you need to make sure you complete the essential steps.

During GovWin’s latest event in the GovCon Careers Webinar Series, Patricia A. Frame of Strategies for Human Resources covered the key elements of a professional resume and cover letter.

Here are some highlights:

  • Ask yourself: “What are you selling? Who is your target market?” A resume is your advertisement. It is your version of a proposal. Do not recycle what you have submitted previously. Instead, take time to research yourself, the company and the position you are applying for. Once you have a clear picture of your own capabilities, what the company is about and what their needs are, you will increase your chances of landing the job.
  • Resumes and cover letters need to grab your target audience immediately. Your goal with these two documents is to show a pattern of actual achievement and get the reader to contact you for a phone or in-person interview.
  • For each job you have held, show the situation you were in, the actions you took and the results. Demonstrate your growth and tailor what you have accomplished to the position you are applying for. Show your target audience what you have to offer them so they have no reason to turn you down.
  • Since hiring managers and human resource professionals receive so many cover letters and resumes for a limited number of positions, your time to make an impression is short. You may have 30 seconds to grab the attention of your target audience, so be sure to use the target audience’s language. How does the company describe the position they have open? What keywords do they use? Include these keywords and descriptions to show you fit what they need.
  • Use the “golden area” of your resume — the top half of the first page — with the greatest amount of efficiency. Do not overdo your contact information or include irrelevant details. Hit the reader with the qualifications that meet their needs so they keep reading.
  • Keep your cover letters concise: two to three paragraphs. Right out of the gate, answer these questions for the reader: “What job are you applying for?” and “Where did you find out about the opportunity?” For the next paragraph or two, advertise your skills and how they meet the hiring manager’s needs.

If I had to pull out three simple points from Patricia Frame’s presentation that are essential elements to applying for a job, it would be:

  • Know who you are
  • Know who you want to work for
  • And translate your experience into words your prospective employer understands and values

 

To reach Patricia Frame, you can find her work at Job-Hunt.org in the Vets Expert column, job search videos on ClearedJobs.net on Youtube. You can also e-mail her at Patricia@SHRinsight.com as well as find her on Twitter@2Patra.

@2Patracover letterGovCon CareersPatricia FrameSHRinsight.comStrategies for Human Resources
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