FINANCE

KILLING IT ON THE JOB HUNT

WRITTEN BY T.E. CUNNINGHAM

As we begin to shake off the COVID-19 hangover, many of us find ourselves unemployed—whether we were laid off, the company we worked for closed their doors for good, or a family situation forced an employment change. If you are one of these individuals and looking to get back to work, how do you find your way to that perfect job fit? Here are a few essential tips for landing your dream job.

• Get yourself and your personal brand “job-ready.”

Make sure your resumé is an excellent representation of you and your skills. This means making sure your professional resumé is targeted to the industries you are interested in and that you “look good on paper,” as they say. Make sure to include industry keywords that show your knowledge and applicability in the industry. It’s a good idea to have multiple versions of your resumé if you are applying to different industries.

• Make sure your social media is up to snuff. Poten-

tial employers will check you out online, so ensure there is nothing posted on your pages that you would not want a potential employer to see—vulgarity, overly political posts, off-color humor, etc. You may be evaluated and passed up without you ever being aware!

• Spend some time on LinkedIn before you begin your career exploration. Take the time

to give your profile the same attention you give your resumé and fill out every field you can. Including all the organizations you have been or are a part of makes you more discoverable online, as well as including certifications or skills that are important to your industry. Additionally, you should place precise search terms in your headline—skills and endorsements that would resonate with potential employers.

“Skipping a tool, technology, or specialized skill that seems obvious given your career history will lead to fewer hits off your resumé,” advises Kira Davidson, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Human Resources director for TRI 3, Inc. “Make it easy to find yourself online. Most search tools today are built with not only the ability to search your keywords but identify how closely you match a given role.”

• Perform job searches and use

multiple tools, from regularly checking sites like Indeed, Facebook jobs and ZipRecruiter to sending resumés to headhunters and alumni job opening sites from your school. Use job search engines to find jobs using keywords that match your interests and the location in which you want to work.

• Connect, connect, connect.

Networking is one of the most overlooked and wildly effective ways to land your dream job. Make sure all your connections on social media know you are out there looking. Meet for coffee with past colleagues and give them a heads up. Think about organizations you are a member of—your church, exercise group, or professional association, for example. Recruiters and HR practitioners give special notice to referrals. Some of the best and most tenured team members were the result of a referral.

• Don’t ignore old-school com-

munication. Kira Davidson notes that candidates should be prepared for old-school and newschool communication tactics. Recruiters still call and leave messages. Ensure your voicemail box is set up and cleared out. Keep your greeting message simple: your name or phone number should be a part of that message. Become familiar with video interviewing tools. Many programs allow you to utilize free backgrounds; this helps hide clutter or items that dive too deeply into your personal life. Office and solid backgrounds are great in helping keep the attention on you. Many recruiters have moved to using texting features as part of their applicant tracking tool. This allows you quick and easy access to your recruiter, but does not allow you to connect via a call. Instead, ask for a direct contact number.

• Preparation is critical for in-

terviewing. Research the company and position and jot down questions. Take your notes with you—it sends a good message to your potential employer. A candidate who knows nothing about the company can quickly move down the consideration list as early as the phone interview. Have your 30-second “elevator pitch” polished by being ready to tell the interviewer what you do and what you’re looking for in a job. Be professional in appearance and dress for the interview. Arrive early. Try to connect with your interviewer at the beginning of the session with something small (but authentic) that can help break the ice.

• Follow up after your meeting.

Remember to ask for a business card from everyone present at the interview and send each one a note. Express gratitude for the discussion and outline why you should be hired. If the position is not one you want to continue to pursue, follow up with a thank you regardless.

• When the job offer is on the table, don’t just jump at it.

Take time to make sure you are fully educated on not just the job and compensation, but all other applicable benefits.

Now get out there and get your dream job!