Get Ahead on Your Job Search with These Tips
Welcome to The Standout!
We’re having a beautiful summer here in Vermont (except for some devastating floods which are, unfortunately, becoming the norm). It’s vacation time for many, so does that mean it’s a bad time to look for work?
No! Contrary to popular belief, August can be a prime time for job hunting.
With fewer applicants in the pool, you can stand out better. Plus, companies are preparing for their fall hiring push, making this the ideal moment to position yourself ahead of the crowd.
So, while August can be a great time to recharge your batteries, it's also an opportunity to refocus and get ahead.
Remember, once you have a job, you can take a vacation while getting paid. So keep your eye on the prize! 🏆
Check out our latest podcast episode…
In the newest episode of The Standout Jobseeker, career coach Madeline Mackie shares practical advice on managing burnout while job searching. Madelyn discusses the common challenges job seekers face, such as stress from leaving a toxic work environment or sudden layoffs, and provides practical advice on how to manage these issues. Sydney and Madelyn share real-life examples and actionable tips that make this an invaluable guide for anyone facing job search challenges.
You can listen to The Standout Jobseeker on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and pretty much everywhere else.
In today’s edition of The Standout, we offer the following five tips to help make your job search easier and faster:
Here’s the first tip…
📄 Always save your resume as a PDF 📄
Before emailing or uploading your resume to a website, save it as a PDF. This file format preserves your resume, including bullet points and fonts, exactly as you designed it. Our tests have also shown that most applicant tracking systems read and parse PDF resumes more accurately.
Next step: To learn more, read Resume PDF vs Word: Which Should You Choose?
🚫 Never bad-mouth a previous employer 🚫
No matter how awful your last employer was, avoid saying negative things about them in a job interview. You’ll come across as petty and vindictive, and the interviewer might worry about what you’ll say about them if they hire you. Instead, try to find something positive to say.
Next step: For more job interview tips, read How to Succeed in a Job Interview in 2024.
📸 Add a photo to your LinkedIn profile (but not your resume) 📸
A LinkedIn profile with a photo is 21x more likely to be viewed than one without. The ideal photo is a clear, high-quality headshot with a neutral background. Remember, your LinkedIn profile is your online business card, and a professional photo can make a strong first impression.
Next step: To learn more, read 10 Ways to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile Picture (For Free!).
📊 Keep track of your accomplishments at work 📊
When updating your resume, do you struggle to remember exactly what you accomplished at your last job? This is very common and is why, when you do have a job, you should write down your accomplishments every week. It’s a good habit to get into and can save you a lot of grief down the line.
Next step: To learn more, read 80+ Resume Accomplishments Examples.
💲 Never be the first one to mention salary 💲
Avoid being the first to bring up salary during a job interview. Let the employer introduce the topic first. Negotiation experts often say that the first one to mention salary usually loses, as it can limit your negotiating power and potentially result in a lower offer.
Next step: To learn more, read How to Answer: What Are Your Salary Expectations?
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
📣 Jobscan’s HireReady Virtual Workshop Series 📣
Mark your calendar for this special 1-day event on September 5, 2024. Register for free HERE.
Job seekers will receive practical guidance and strategies from industry-leading experts to become hire ready.
Event Highlights:
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Don't miss out on this opportunity to accelerate your job search! Register for free now and come away with the documents, action plans, and training you need to be hire ready.
👀 More Insights From the Jobscan Blog 👀
Learn to avoid the biggest mistake job seekers make and write a cover letter that truly makes an impact.
Here’s everything you need to know about the leadership skills companies are looking for.
Discover the key differences between a CV and a resume, and learn when to use each for maximum impact in your job search.
“Tell me about yourself?” is one of the most common and important interview questions you’ll face. Here’s how to answer.
Creating a compelling resume with ChatGPT is easy. Follow our guide to quickly create a professional and impactful resume that stands out.
Unlock the power of ChatGPT to craft compelling cover letters that showcase your strengths and stand out to potential employers.
That’s it for this edition. I hope these tips have sparked some new ideas for your job search.
See you in two weeks!
Robert Henderson, CPRW, Resume Expert
Patient Service Representative | Certified Medical Administrative Assistant | Scheduler | Front Desk Receptionist | Customer Service Representative | Health Insurance Prior Authorization and Verification Representative
4moExcellent article but in addition would like to see an article devoted to transferable skills especially when changing industries and how having transferable skills would benefit the new employer.