You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right.
Our blog and podcast dive into the real stories and everyday strategies behind building a No Vacation Required life. We challenge outdated norms, share fresh perspectives, and explore what it means to find fulfillment right now—in a world that rarely makes it easy.
Q: Is it a bad time of year to be applying for a job?
A: No!
I get this question a lot at this time of the year. It's almost as if job seekers are looking for an excuse to take a break from searching for a new job.
Of course, some organizations are going to put hiring initiatives on hold until the beginning of the new year. However, a company's hiring needs do not change simply because it is the holiday season. Consider this... Many employees resign during the holidays. I can assure you that companies are going to hire replacements as soon as they can – especially for critical positions.
Currently, I am consulting with a company that has more open requisitions than they have had at any time during the year. What's down, is candidate interest because many people make the mistake of assuming that companies are not hiring.
Don't take your foot off of the gas. While many people will put off job-searching until 2013, stay on top of it and increase your chances of getting noticed.
Learning that you are not being considered for a position or didn’t make the cut after several interviews is disappointing. So it goes without saying that sending off a thank you after you have been let down can be a challenge. That is why so few people do it and exactly why you should.
There are a lot of people who believe their experience is just too unique to fit into a “traditional resume” or that resume writing best practices don’t apply. Whether the task just seems overwhelming or the way forward is not clear, believing you are an exception to the rule can be an easy way out.
I am a moderator on a popular career management and resume feedback forum. As such, I field a lot of questions from people who are struggling to navigate the often confusing and overwhelming job search process. It is understandable then that many people are outwardly frustrated and that their frustration translates into negativity. I get it.
Lets first run over the basics. Before considering what else you can be doing for a productive job search, lets make sure you are already nailing the fundamentals:
Q. I received an unscheduled call from a recruiter that lasted only about 15 minutes. He asked very targeted questions. I have not heard a peep since? What’s going on? Did I just fail the interview?
Your resume needs to be accomplishment focused, but it should not be a comprehensive listing of everything you have achieved. Instead, your resume should more of a “highlights reel.”
Think of it this way... If movie previews showed every key moment – if every plot turn were clearly laid out – you would have no reason to go see that movie. And most of us have experienced the disappointment that comes when you see a movie and leave thinking, “bummer, everything worth seeing was in the preview.”
Your resume is no different. If you dump everything into the resume, you loose the ability to surprise your interviewer. Worse, you may not even get the interview because you have not created any curiosity gaps – those strategic questions that make readers want to learn more.
Is your resume not only highlighting the best of your accomplishments but also compelling the interviewer to learn more?
Many people seek help with a job search only when they become desperate. For these people, networking and following up on resumes only becomes important when the situation is dire.
In today's employment environment, a straight-forward, accomplishment-rich resume is king. It should be modern and professional without veering into an overly designed showpiece. I always suggest that candidates in creative fields have a second resume or, perhaps, a "leave behind" that shows their creative skill set.