You can’t go a day without seeing an article about the labor shortage, the affect it’s having on businesses and the so called “great resignation.” While I respect an individual’s decision to change jobs or change careers, this needs to be done with some forethought. Just applying for positions that you are interested in will not magically result in your dream job. So what’s up?
1. You aren’t articulating your value
It’s simple. Employers are looking for people who know what makes business happen and can clearly demonstrate how their experience can help a business grow. If your resume doesn’t tell a reader what you have to offer, then you’ll be bypassed in lieu of candidates who do so. Not in a cover letter – in a summary statement at the top of your resume.
2. Your historical self doesn’t tell a story
When I get on the phone with a job seeker the first thing I do is ask them to tell me their story. Almost 100% of the time their dialogue doesn’t match their resume. Make sure that you talk about your successes and achievements – not just how you spent your days. Talk about business results. Tell the reader who you are, what you have to offer and what your passion is.
3. You don’t have a personal brand
You may have different versions of your resume depending on the role. But here’s the reality—anytime you apply for a position or submit a resume, the first thing the recipient does is look you up on LinkedIn. If your profile and your resume don’t match, then you are immediately disqualified. Employers don’t have time to try and figure out which is the source of truth. Your personal brand is essential to your search.
4. You overemphasize stuff that doesn’t matter
Your resume shouldn’t be cluttered with a bunch of information that has nothing to do with your next position. You might think that working as a consultant for Accenture 20 years ago matters, but honestly, unless you want to be a consultant for an international management consulting firm – it doesn’t. Chances are you’ve grown substantially since then. Time to let it go.
5. You aren’t making connections
If your only strategy for looking for a job is to submit applications for publicly open positions, then you will be looking for a LONG time. Asking for personal referrals, or taking the time to locate people you know within target companies, is the most strategic way to land your next adventure. Get to it!
6. Your social presence is – well…..
You may think that your social media accounts are personal, but the first thing an interested hiring manager will do is check you out. As a hiring manger, I want to make sure that the people I hire align with my company values. This is not a judgement – but rather a reality. You won’t have any idea that you were rejected because of a values match. Make sure that your social feeds reflect your brand – who you WANT people to see.
If you are serious about making a change, then you need to think strategically about the move. Unscrupulously applying to positions in an effort to see what might happen is time wasted. The better option is to focus your efforts on positions that are an ideal match for who you are and where you want to go professionally.
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