How YOU can succeed in your job search by NOT following the crowd!
Why do you win by Not following the crowd? The economy has challenged people for more than three years. I feel for the retailers who really need to make those sales. But I am still not drawn in by Black Friday type of sales. Mass crowds and craziness just don’t appeal to me. Some people thrive in those environments but I am definitely not one of them!
As a job seeker seeking to make a career transition, you should not be one of those who follows the crowd if you want to be successful in the job search. Following the crowd will slow down your chances of connecting with the right people to move you forward in your search.
If you are following the crowd in your job or career search, you will:
- Blast out resumes in volume because you think the more out there the better. (NO!)
- Keep all your cover letters the same because it is only a cover sheet anyway. (NO!)
- Concentrate ONLY on looking for jobs via job boards because you think all the jobs are posted there. (NO!)
If you choose to be the one not following the crowd, you will:
- Clarify specifically what you are looking for in a new position so that you have specific companies and targets in your search before you send out an accomplishment-filled, value-rich resume.
- Look for innovative ways to connect with the decision makers and hiring managers using your network and LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter to find connections.
- Write strategic cover letters that explain how your experience and talents meet the needs of the company and can help the company succeed. Think deeply about your differences when you write any of the critical documents in a job search: resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, or thank you or follow-up letter.
A career search, transition, or job search needs as much strategy and planning as any other important event in your life, doing things with a herd-like mentality will not make you the chosen one in the hiring manager’s eyes.
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Julie Walraven
Professional Resume Writer
Here are ways I can help you land your dream job.
You may be halfway across the country or the world. When you work with me, we share coffee, laughs, and concerns. This turns the scary job search into creative, consultative writing and learning sessions.
Hi Julie,
Knowing your target companies, and sussing out opportunities before they hit “the market,” is a winning job search strategy.
Very few job seekers make the effort to target companies. The savvy job seekers do. I’m an evangelist for ReferenceUSA because it makes identifying target companies so darn easy. I hope some of your readers will take a look here: http://j.mp/ccDho7 and incorporate this wonderful, free database into their job searches ASAP.
Happy Thanksgiving weekend,
Donna
Thanks for stopping by, Donna, I did go read your post about ReferenceUSA. I wasn’t familiar with it and thought I knew most of the jobseeker resources, so thank you for alerting me to it!
Yeah, people forget how awesome the library is for databases with “inside” info. In the last few years many of them have been made available by libraries for patrons to access at home.
Thanks, JB, I appreciate the additional tip! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Julie,
By following your wise words about differentiating yourself gives those hiring a clear signal that you’ve made the effort – that you care. As someone who used to hire people, (in my old life!), this careful and considered approach certainly made those who had put this kind of effort into their application, stand out very clearly.
Happy Thanksgiving weekend over there, Gee
Great point, Gee! I am happy to have you give your view! I think people in general who find roles that they love or can invest in are happier people too…
Great post, Julie, and I like the link to the time of year.
One of my commentors said the other day that, in the UK, hundreds of people will apply for every job. So figuring out how to stand out – through your CV and your whole job search strategy – is crucial. Otherwise, you’re just another CV that goes in the shredder!
Exactly and network, network, network… both of my sons are working at jobs they found through networking and both are happy…