Life is complicated and so can the job seeker's path to success. Every job seeker is an individual and the preparation process must include this as a viable strategy. You want to do everything possible to market your strengths. Have you become overwhelmed and are you struggling through this process? It is extremely important that you remain focused by working on issues as they arise.
Should a job seeker follow all the advice that they have read? Well, you would not be an individual if you did, and your job search will proceed like so many others. You do not want a laundry list of bullets going on and on throughout the resume, but you do need them. It is essential that your resume flow flawlessly and is an easy read. Should there be an exact limit on how many bullets to use? To have five or six is a good guideline for each segment, but if you should have a seventh one will that really make a difference?
Handling the gap within employment years is determined by everything else listed on the resume. There are various ways of handling this should it be necessary. Should you be straight forward on this? That would depend on how large the gap is, and it could be addressed within the cover letter or at the interview. Remember that the potential employer is not interested in the details of your life. Only offer information when needed and be very focused when doing so. You do want your resume to have substance and to be meaningful. After all, this is your career and your resume is your calling card. The resume must be able to successfully speak for you in your absence.
Should the job seeker be frantic over all the available information pertaining to this subject? I have had a client communicate actual fear, during her initial call, with regard to a resume having more than one page. She was certain that one page is all that she should have. It is most unfortunate that she believes this, because the first page barely provides enough information for most job seekers. It is so important not to close yourself off from possibilities and to refrain from being narrow-minded.
The resume is not the only item a job seeker should be concerned with. The marketing of your resume is only one phase of this process. You need to be able to successfully sell yourself in an interview. The complexity of this subject, along with the dire struggles with the economy has hindered the job seekers ability to remain focused as they struggle to find what works. If the marketing strategy is not working it is time to change directions, remain focused on the end result, clear your mind of everything you have learned up to this point, begin to think outside the box, plan a new marketing strategy and begin again.
If a company is selling a product and the advertising was not successful, how would they handle this? Their marketing department would need to develop a new marketing strategy so that they are successful in reaching their target market. If the consumer prefers the product in red, then it would be disadvantageous for the company to market it in blue.
While you are considering your career focus begin to ask yourself the following questions.
1. What does the potential employer (target market) hope to gain when hiring a new employee?
2. Do I have the listed skills, the education and the experience?
3. How can I make myself (the product) more marketable?
4. Am I able to communicate a positive first impression? This does not refer to age, weight or culture.
5. Are there personal issues that would need to be dealt with prior to moving forward with my job search?
6. If I were the potential employer (target market) would I hire me?
The employment market has changed and probably will never be as it once was. Every job seeker must adapt to these changes and evolve in the same manner. This can be stressful, because most of us have never seen the economy producing negative results. What will your strategy be as you compete to sell your product?
- www.IAMresumes.net - I.A.M. Resumes - Senior Consultant Carolyn Lee, CPRW, CEIP -
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