Small Actions You Can Take to Lead to Big Wins in Your Job Search
Welcome to The Standout!
The post-Thanksgiving blahs are real. The big meal is over, and holiday distractions are creeping in. It’s that strange in-between time when job hunting feels like the last thing you want to do.
Here’s a little trick to help you get moving: Mel Robbins’ 5 Second Rule. The concept is simple—when you feel stuck, count down “5-4-3-2-1” and then take action immediately. Here’s why it works:
Need to write a LinkedIn message? 5-4-3-2-1—type the first sentence. Have to tweak your resume? 5-4-3-2-1—open the document.
It only takes five seconds to change your direction. Why not give it a try? 🚀
Check out our latest podcast episode…
In this episode of The Standout Jobseeker, Sydney Myers talks with Keanna Carter, an experienced recruiter who has worked with top companies like Google and GoPuff. Keanna shares valuable insights on how to create stand-out resumes, common mistakes to avoid, and tips for making a career change. She also discusses the importance of tailoring resumes to job descriptions, networking, and using AI tools wisely in the job application process.
You can listen to The Standout Jobseeker on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and pretty much everywhere else.
In today’s edition of The Standout newsletter, we offer the following five tips to make your job search easier and faster:
Here’s the first tip…
⛰️ Create a base resume to tailor applications faster ⛰️
A base resume includes all your work experience, skills, and accomplishments. It serves as a master document. When you need to create a targeted resume, just pull the relevant information from your base resume. This will help you tailor resumes faster.
Next step: Create a resume that includes all your career details. Don’t worry about length—capture everything. Then use Jobscan to tailor your resume for each job.
⚒️ Focus on hard skills in your skills section ⚒️
Listing soft skills like “organized” in your skills section doesn’t add much value. Employers expect you to be organized as a basic competency. Instead, focus on hard skills. A software engineer should list Python or Kubernetes. And a marketer should list HubSpot or Google Analytics.
Next step: Review your skills section and focus on tools, technologies, or specialized skills that match the job. To learn more, read Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills.
🎯 How to showcase soft skills on your resume 🎯
If the job description mentions soft skills, include them on your resume. But not in your skills section. Instead, weave your soft skills into your resume summary or work experience. Link them to specific achievements. This makes them more credible to employers. For example:
Next step: To learn more, read 10 Soft Skills Examples to Elevate Your Resume.
Recommended by LinkedIn
🔍 Get insider knowledge with Glassdoor 🔍
Glassdoor is a free website that gives you an inside look at companies and organizations. You can read employee reviews to learn about company culture, check salary ranges, and discover common interview questions. This information can help you decide if a company is the right fit for you.
Next step: To access Glassdoor, create a free account here and leave an anonymous review about a company you’ve worked for. This will unlock access to the website.
📚 Upskill for free with your library card 📚
Your local library is a hidden gem if you’re looking to upskill. Many libraries offer free access to LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Gale Courses, and other learning platforms. Earn certifications by completing courses and add them to your resume or LinkedIn profile. All you need is a library card.
Next step: Visit your local library’s website or stop by in person to sign up for a library card. Explore the digital learning platforms they offer and start upgrading your skills today!
👀 More Insights From the Jobscan Blog 👀
Learn whether including your address on your resume is still necessary and how it can impact your job application.
These skills and resume examples reflect the latest trends and best practices for getting a job in customer service.
Discover whether the combination resume is the best format for your job search—and learn how to create one step by step.
Avoid these 10 damaging resume lies to build trust and credibility with 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