Job Search Tips - Today, everything is done online, from sending in your résumé to setting up your first interview and 9 times 10, you’re lucky to receive any kind of response, even if it’s an automatic one thanking you for your submission. It doesn’t take long to discover that in a virtual world, it can be very difficult to get noticed by the decision makers whom you need to impress in order to land the job.
Résumés rarely showcase how great you are. That’s why it’s probably time to breathe a little life into yours. Think of it this way: If you are the CEO of Me, Myself, and I, Inc., you will need some marketing materials to promote your brand. Your résumé and cover letter will serve as those marketing materials.
Build your online résumé using LinkedIn. 83% of employers plan to use social networks to recruit this year. If you aren’t already on business-focused social media sites like LinkedIn, take the time to set up a profile.
Get face-to-face with potential employers. Find a way to get in front of your potential employers. These days it is much harder to show potential employers what you are all about and to forge a connection with them because so much of the pre-hiring process is done online and through email.
That is why it is essential that you find a way to communicate with them face-to-face. Dropping off a follow-up note or a résumé is a great opportunity for getting some face time with a potential employer. Another great face-to-face opportunity comes after the interview. To show you paid close attention to everything your interviewer said, stop by her office with an article that you think would be of interest to her or a small gift based on some key piece of information you found out about the interviewer during the interview.
Make an impact by using video. If you really want to capture the attention of a potential employer, record a quick video. Use it to get an interview or as a follow-up after an interview. Here’s how it works: Instead of just e-mailing a résumé or a post-interview thank-you note, include a link to a video of you. Carefully script your response and record the quick message using a Flip video camera or even a webcam. Post it on YouTube or some other service and send a link for the video to your potential employer.