Want More Interviews and Better Job Offers? Remember These 3
Steps
Your job search can be either long and stressful or efficient
and satisfying. The good news is, you get to decide. Here are
some strategies to consider:
1. The smarter, less crowded way to look for your next job
Looking for a job on the Internet and replying to ads is fine,
but keep in mind that each job posting attracts hundreds (if not
thousands) of interested applicants. This competition dilutes
your chances of being noticed, even if you have an impressive
background. Alex recommends spending less than 25% of your time
replying to advertised positions and, instead, focusing on
market trends that can help you identify more opportunities in
less time.
Start with analyzing advertised positions and, in addition to
applying for them, contact other companies within the same
industry to determine if they have similar openings. This
powerful technique works because companies within the same
industry often have comparable requirements and looking for
matching executive talent (executive recruiters understand this
strategy very well when they try to 'steal' managers from one
company to another!).
Summary: Don't follow the herd. When you are considering
advertised positions, be aware of the big picture. Look at
INDUSTRIES rather than single companies. Then, contact top
decision makers of non-advertising companies to establish if
there is a genuine need for your experience. You may be
surprised to discover how many hidden opportunities are waiting
for you.
2. Make your candidacy shine in a sea of competition
It's unwise to use a canned marketing message if you want to get
yourself noticed. Yet, many executives are still promoting
themselves with out-of-date, template-based, and plain
ineffective resume formats. Considering that you are asking
employers to make a six-figure decision, do you think an
'average' presentation is sufficient? It's not. While some
executives think that a resume is a mere formality, many are
discovering that not having a truly compelling message
immediately reduces their chances of getting noticed.
Imagine this common scenario: Two executives are applying for
the same job. Executive A has better experience but his resume
is mediocre. Executive B has a superior resume, presenting his
lesser experience more persuasively. Who is more likely to get
hired? You already know the answer. Employers have no time to
guess if a candidate is good, they need to be convinced quickly.
Summary: If you are planning to get results in this job market,
don't let your resume sell you short. Your message needs to
compel cautious employers to consider YOU as a serious
contender. A properly structured resume reduces your job search
time by up to 80% and increases the quality of job offers.
3. Keep in touch with potential employers
If you follow the strategy outlined in the first point, you will
no doubt establish many valuable contacts. While some of them
will result in quick success, many will not. Don't just let them
go. They are your goldmine for the future. In this unpredictable
market, having your own industry connections is essential. Many
executives are positioning themselves as hot candidates simply
by keeping on-going contact with several companies.
Summary: Following up and keeping in touch (even if there are no
immediate opportunities available) is a sure way to guarantee
long-term results and protect yourself in the even of job loss.
Remember, if employers know about you, they will inform YOU
first of any new openings and give you priority over other
candidates.
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