10 Tips To Spark Your Job Search
Updated: Sep 8, 2019
Let’s be honest, Iooking for a job is a full-time job. There’s nothing worse than being fed up and frustrated with your current job to start searching for a new one. When looking for a new role, you need a strategy. I decided to write this blog because when you're happy in your career, it spills over to your personal life. Plus, I'm the go-to person amongst my family and friends for writing resumes and searching for jobs. Within the last 3 years it's expanded outside my personal network so I had to share some tips.
What is your criteria?
I recently started a new job at the end of July and I was very intentional with this search. I knew flexibility, diversity and inclusion, and collaboration were on the top of my list. My criteria has changed drastically since losing my mom. It used to be about the bottom line but now it's about a peace of mind. I simply don't need that extra stress in my life. My mental health is non-negotiable.
Before I start applying for jobs I write down my criteria including:
Location
Company size
Role responsibilities
Commute time
Growth structure
Business maturity
Organizational culture
Job title
Flex-time
Maternity/paternity leave
Company mission and values
It's okay to be picky about where you spend majority of your day at least 5 times a week. Let’s put it out in the universe what you are seeking. For example, I’m seeking a new job as an INSERT JOB TITLE, earning INSERT PAY, that allows me to grow professionally where I can utilize my knowledge with a team of forward-thinking collaborators in a respectful environment. Make this a habit of putting out in the universe what you are seeking because you get what you ask for.
Send me the latest copy of your resume ASAP!
We’ve all received an email from a recruiter or a text from a friend requesting your resume ASAP. Now you’re in panic mode because you haven’t updated it in years. I dreaded updating my resume because I didn't know how to articulate my success early in my career. Today, I write resumes frequently but it took practice.
How to build your resume
You should be updating your resume or portfolio on a quarterly basis. Depending on the nature of your business, monthly may be an option too. That accolade you received for outstanding performance in January, it goes on your resume. You exceeded your goal for February by 12%, list that on your resume. These are accomplishments.
One trick I use all the time is to Google the job title I’m seeking and read the job description. The job description is full of key words that should be incorporated in your resume. Plus, the description will list the job responsibilities and you can use those to help write your accomplishments. Many times we just don't know the correct words to use on our resume. This will help a lot.
Another trick I use is to go on Indeed.com and search for actual resumes. You can search by the job title and city. This allows you to see other candidates skill set and experience. The hardest career transition was leaving entertainment marketing for digital marketing. My skills weren't as transferable as I thought in 2011. I knew why I wasn't getting any recruiters to call me once I saw the other candidates' resumes posted online. I wasn't showcasing my talent and was selling myself short.
Verbs such as created, streamlined, generated, developed, managed, trained, analyzed, and launched are great action words to have on your resume to show your accomplishments.
There is no one size fits all resume. If you're using one resume to apply for all your jobs, let's stop now. Personalization is key. You'll have to tweak your resume to ensure it's tailored to that specific job. If you're still including an objective on your resume, delete it immediately. That needs to be replaced with a professional overview of your experience and what you have to offer the organization. Also, remove your full address. The city and state will suffice. Remember your resume will be posted on job boards and people don't need access to your personal information.