Get hired fast: job search tips

With the unemployment rate at 9.7%, recruiters say they receive hundreds, even thousands of applicants for a single job posting. Yikes, that’s tough! Especially if you’re among those looking for work.

So how do you stand out in a crowd? Here are a few ways to get noticed.

Write a resume that gets interviews
This is the first step. A resume is a self-promotional ad that presents you in the best possible light–it highlights your skills, experience and achievements.

Start with an objective. What is it you’re looking for? What have you done professionally that would make you an ideal candidate for this job in which you’re applying? An objective is a brief summary of your skill set, your career goals and what you have to offer to a prospective employer.

Use “action” words. Back up your qualities (hardworking, closer, etc.) with actual achievements (“managed a $10M budget;” “increased sales by 40% in the second year”).

Consider search engine optimization, or SEO. Just like how search engines like Yahoo! or Google look for keywords that you type in, HR departments use similar tools. That’s why you have to tailor each resume to the job description, and then use those “action” words to beef it up. When a recruiter runs a search for a particular job, your resume will appear in the search results.

Make friends and expand your network
Even as the ranks of the unemployed continue to swell, according to a Washington Post article, Laying Low After a Layoff, “experts say a certain segment is determined to suffer in silence, keeping details of job losses and financial pressure secret.”

Not only is this counterproductive in helping you deal with the emotional trauma that is associated with a job or career loss, it also negatively affects your ability to network at a time when you most need help from others.

So let your family, friends, neighbors and former colleagues know you’re looking for work. Go to professional meetings and seminars. Use social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook to expand your network even further. And think about being a “connector.” Instead of wondering about how someone can help you, think about how you can help them. For example, while you’re searching the job boards, if you see something that might be of interest to someone in your network, pass it along. People remember these kind gestures, and you’ll be rewarded in the long run.

After all, most hiring managers and recruiters ask for referrals from people they know before they even post a job online. If someone who knows someone who knows you brings up your name, you could get a leg up on the competition–you know, the hundreds of applicants who will be applying for the job once it hits the Internet.

Prepare for the interview
Woohoo! You’ve been called for an interview. Now it’s your time to shine!

Dress for the job. It may be unfair but first impressions are usually lasting. Even if you’re interviewing at a place where the CEO wears cargo shorts and flip-flops to work, you still want to be appear polished. While it may not be appropriate to wear a three-piece suit to an interview at a company like this, you should still be professional–try khakis and a dress shirt–it says you take this interview seriously. Once you get the job, feel free to wear those shorts and flip-flops too–but right now your main goal is to get an offer letter, so err on the side of caution.

Practice, practice, practice. Recruit a friend to help you rehearse the interview. Go through the most common interview questions and answers, and think about what you’d say. It’s also helpful to have some interesting stories and anecdotes that illustrate your answer.

Do your homework. Research the company, its management team and competitors. Take notes. Memorize important facts. Want to win some extra points? Find out how the company’s products and/or services are different from its competitors, and suggest ways to either improve them or market them to a new audience. A little preparation goes a long way.

I hope that some of these tips help you build the confidence you need as you search for the right fit. Remember, even if it takes longer than usual to land a great job, this is the worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s. If you’re having a hard time getting call backs, it has more to do with the economy than you and your skills. Just keep plugging away and stay upbeat. And if you want to contact me for a pep talk, I’m more than happy to help. Good luck!