Resume Tips Article: Tips to Rev Up Your Job Search


























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Tips to Rev Up Your Job Search
By Kim Isaacs, Nationally Certified Resume Writer

Don't rely on the internet alone to find a new position. Use the major job boards like Monster.com, Flipdog.com, and CareerBuilder.com, but be sure you're also tapping into your network of contacts, working the phones, and targeting recruiters.

Renew your online resume. Most job boards allow you to "renew" your resume, bringing your resume to the cyber-equivalent of the "top of the pile."

Research companies online. A wealth of information about company performance and goals is available online. Peruse company websites to learn about products/services and performance -- this will enable you to formulate your "value proposition." Use other resources such as the SEC and annual report services to gain insight into companies that interest you.

Tap into the hidden job market. Not all available jobs are advertised. Search for companies that interest you, and contact them to let them know how you would help them achieve their goals.

Tailor your career-marketing materials to the position opening. When responding to a job ad, customize your cover letter and resume to suit the job description.

Track your job search progress. Track every resume submission and contact with hiring managers. Be sure to follow up on all possible opportunities until you have a definitive answer about your candidacy.

Network, network, network. Be sure to network with your friends, family, colleagues, and everyone else in your Rolodex. Research shows that most jobs are still secured through good old-fashioned networking.

Establish rapport with hiring managers. Call before sending your resume and try to make contact with a live person. Start building rapport even before the hiring manager sees your resume. Be sure to focus on what you offer the employer, not on your needs/career goals.

Email your resume to yourself as a test. This will alert you to any formatting problems with files. Don't send your cover letter as an attachment. Convert it to plain text and copy/paste into the body of the email.

Follow hiring managers' instructions. When sending your resume, use the preferred or requested format, such as MS Word, ASCII (plain text), .pdf file, etc.

Kim's Bio: Kim is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW). As the Resume Expert for Monster.com since 1999, Kim is available on Monster to assist users with resume questions, offering resume critiques and answers to challenging questions. She served on the National Resume Writers' Association's certification commission for the NCRW credential for five years (1998-2003). Her resume samples and articles are featured on many of the Internet's top career and news sites, such as MSN, AOL, Monster, and USA Today Online. Kim coauthored The Career Change Resume: How to Reinvent Your Resume and Land Your Dream Job (McGraw-Hill, April 2003) with Karen Hofferber. Numerous other career books feature Kim's advice about online job search techniques and sample resumes and cover letters.