Three Weekly Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Job Hunting Tips – August 10, 2015

Lemon Squeezy

Here are three simple job hunting tips for you to begin your week!

1. Your LinkedIn profile should NOT be your resume. Your profile should have some information from your resume, but it's more of an invitation to ask for the real deal. Put in enough information to round out your profile, but don't make it too dense to read.
2. While we're on the topic of LinkedIn, make sure your profile picture is appropriate. Pix of kittens are probably better for Facebook and Twitter. For my take on this, please see my prior column: https://nochargeforthese.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/what-does-your-linkedin-profile-picture-say-about-you/
3. Take a lesson from the Boy Scouts when it comes to your interview - be prepared! Bring whatever you think you may need to survive the interview day. Tissues, water, bandages, a banana - whatever. Have your survival kit ready - a break in the day may not be in the cards.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. He is a Human Resources professional and staffing expert with almost two decades of in-house corporate HR and staffing firm experience, and is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).

Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.

Somebody Sent me a Message Through LinkedIn About a Job! What Should I Do?

InMail Screen Shot

You're going through your LinkedIn account, and you notice there's an email from a recruiter. The message says that they've reviewed your profile, and you might be a match for a job that they are working on.

It's nice to be wanted, isn't it? But how do you handle this situation? You didn't ask to be contacted, you aren't really looking for a job, and you're not sure the company is someplace you'd like to work.

In short, answer the message. Schedule some time to talk with the recruiter.

Opportunities are just that - opportunities. And by definition, an opportunity may not always be there when you want it.

If you think that getting that job you want is all about putting your résumé up on Monster and waiting for the responses to roll in, think again. Job hunting is all about relationships and networking.

Which means, the job the recruiter is approaching you about may or may not be the right position for you. But you won't know until you speak with them, and they're definitely interested in speaking with you.

In addition, if you both come to the conclusion that this role might not be a fit for you, you may be able to refer somebody to the recruiter who is a better fit, and make the recruiter's life a little easier. They'll remember that in case something more up your alley emerges.

And don't forget - people know people. Recruiters know other recruiters. If you make a good impression with one, but you don't fit their needs, they might be willing to help you with an introduction to another company which may be a better fit.

Lastly, make sure to send a note of thanks to the recruiter after your conversation, regardless of the outcome. It demonstrates professionalism and leaves a positive lasting impression.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. He is a Human Resources professional and staffing expert with almost two decades of in-house corporate HR and staffing firm experience, and is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).

Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.

Three Weekly Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Job Hunting Tips – July 6, 2015

Lemon Squeezy

Here are three simple job hunting tips for you to begin your week!

1. Before sending out your résumé to employers, have a trusted friend (somebody who will tell you things exactly the way they stand - no B.S.) read over it for accuracy, spelling, and grammar. It's remarkably easy to miss mistakes on your own résumé.
2. While you're at it, have that same trusted friend do the same for your LinkedIn profile.
3. Eat a good meal before your interview. It's tough to concentrate on an empty stomach.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. He is a Human Resources professional and staffing expert with almost two decades of in-house corporate HR and staffing firm experience, and is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).

Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.