Recently, I have been coming across seasoned professionals and executives who have been forced into a job search. They're finding it emotionally, mentally, and financially challenging. Where do you even begin when you have not launched a job search in more than ten years?
I am not telling you any breaking news that the job search arena has changed dramatically and technology has it going out of control. Do you know that:
- You have a less than 2% success rate of landing a job through Internet resources?
- Unless you are spending close to 40 hours per week on a targeted, focused job search, you will be spinning your wheels for a long time?
- On average some companies easily receive close to 1,000 resumes each day?
- That executive recruiters receive about the same amount of resumes, phone calls, and emails at employers on a daily basis?
Here are a few jump start strategies to start working towards:
- Identify and promote your personal brand - you will need to re-invent and re-position yourself.
- Produce an achievement-driven resume - it is still the primary tool used by employers for screening potential candidates. You will need several versions.
- Develop a brand-focused, career marketing portfolio an executive resume alone is not enough.
- Create a compelling, memorable 30-second pitch - you have to stand out from the rest and be remembered.
- Network, network, and more network.
- Limit online job search to specialty, membership-based sites like The Ladders, Netshare, and Execunet.
Work only with specialty recruiters if you are looking to stay in your industry/field.
About the author:
Abby M. Locke is a career marketing architect, brand leadership coach, master resume write and the founder of the Beyond Glass Ceilings. She works with professional women to help them overcome job search obstacles and achieve career mastery in highly competitive, crowded marketplaces.
