Job search tips for an economy that continues to sputter and sputter and sputter

With a tenuous job market, student loans, and a sputtering economy, you want to find a great job ASAP. To stand out from the crowd, consider the following tips:   

• Be in the know. Before submitting one more application, make sure you have a firm grasp and are able to articulate what you’re looking for in a job. That way, you can focus your search and target jobs or organizations that fit your wants and needs. If you adopt an “I just want a job” approach, you’ll spread yourself too thin, wasting time and energy applying for too many positions you probably wouldn’t want in the first place.
• Limited experience? Not a problem. Although having years of experience would definitely be a bonus, if you’re lacking in that department don’t let that keep you from applying. Highlight accomplishments, transferrable skills, and leadership roles you’ve held on campus or in the community. This will show companies you have drive and initiative to get the job done.
• Don’t be locationally challenged. When looking for jobs, many job seekers list location as the single most important factor they consider. Don’t get me wrong, location is definitely important but, early in your career, it should generally take a back seat to job content and the quality of the company you’re going to work for. After all, you want to take the job that gives you the most optionality for you next career move and the move after that. Think long term.
• Always have a story. Chances are, in the first few minutes of your conversation with a recruiter, you’ll be asked why you want to be a (insert job title here). They’re looking for that “aha” moment when something inspired you to pursue a particular career path.
• If family and friends offer to help, let them.  If your parents have been working in an industry you’re interested in for the last 20 years and they offer to introduce you to some people they think might be helpful, that could be just the break you need to get your foot in the door. Remember-if they didn’t want to help you find a job, they wouldn’t have offered.
• Whatever you do, don’t answer your phone. If you list your mobile phone number on an application or resume, realize that you will probably end up receiving a call from a recruiter when you are at a crowded restaurant, standing in line at the grocery store, or at some other inopportune time. To keep this from happening, let calls from numbers you don’t recognize or that appear on caller ID as unknown go to voice mail. That way, you can return them when you have time to gather your composure and adequately prepare.

Set aside time each week to work on your job search. Follow the tips above and there’s a good chance you’ll not only be able to find the job you’re looking for, but you’ll also be well on your way to launching your career.

Cover letter and email bloopers

I just finished wading through a stack of resumes and cover letters and, while it’s on the top of my mind, I thought I’d share a few of the most common mistakes that continue to haunt (insert belated Halloween pun here) job seekers.

Too general: The recruiter should never wonder if you’ve had a chance to read their job description before submitting your cover letter. Modify your content to focus on how your background is a good fit for that particular opening. It’s okay to have a template, but it’s not okay not to tweak it for each unique position.

Too casual: When you’re submitting your cover letter or emailing a recruiter, you’re not buddies with that person. In most cases, you probably haven’t even met them before. Long story short, always keep the tone and voice of your correspondence professional. And please, refrain from capitalizing key phrases. Trust me–no one likes it when you shout.

Too many mistakes: Templates can be helpful, but they can also cause you some headaches. One of the most common mistakes I see people make is forgetting to change the name of the company buried in the last sentence of the second to last paragraph. It’s easy to remember to change the company in the opening sentence, but if you mention it later in the letter or email, it’s easy to miss it when you’re tweaking it for another company. And, as always, don’t forget to proof read. Many (and I mean MANY) a job seeker has been hurt by relying solely on spell check.

Too long: Unless you’re aspiring to write the next Harry Potter novel, there’s no reason for your cover letter to be more than one page. That’s not to say that your content isn’t deserving of a second page, it’s just that recruiters have dozens (sometimes hundreds) of applications to review. Take a look at the job description and pull out a few key highlights from your resume that will entice them to keep reading.

Too didn’t follow directions: If a company asks for a cover letter, submit a cover letter. Early in the screening process, many companies weed out candidates who can’t or don’t follow directions.

Don’t disqualify yourself before you’re even out of the gate. Take the time to review each and every cover letter and email to make sure you avoid the mistakes mentioned above.

Pick-up lines

“Hi, my name is Right…Mr./Ms. Right.” Although that would be a terrible pick-up line (maybe one of the worst ever), it’s the right message for companies. After all, you are trying to convince the employer that you are the right candidate for the job. Without a strong introduction, chances are you won’t get very far with other singles. Without a strong email or cover letter, your resume won’t get very far with recruiters.  

I know what you’re thinking: Nobody reads that stuff and all of my important information is already in my resume. In some cases you might be right. Two recruiters from two different Fortune 500 companies recently told me that, due to the high volume of emails they receive from applicants, they don’t read cover letters OR thank you letters for that matter. To them, your cover letter can only hurt your chances of getting an interview, not help them. Listing the wrong company name or having a bunch of typos is your ticket straight to Rejectionville, USA, population you. 

However, I’ve also worked with recruiters who have gone over emails and cover letters with a fine-toothed comb. Any time you’re submitting something to a company, there’s a very good chance someone will read it, or at least scan it. Something to think about before you click “send.”