Every so often, a new batch of job seekers are born.
Wet behind the ears and new to the game, their eyes are wide with anticipation, hope and a thirst for knowledge.
They need some resources and of course I’ll oblige.
Some of these resources cost money, some don’t. Sometimes the things that do cost, are such a return on investment as to be well worth the fee you pay.
Let’s start with one of those:
- Professional Resume Writers. Okay yes, I would say that wouldn’t I? However all jokes aside, even if I stand back and look at the situation objectively, I still agree with myself. Just between you and me, after 20 years of looking at people’s D-I-Y resumes I’m honestly surprised anyone gets a job! Seriously, the lack of effort and attention that goes into these things by most people is staggering. It seems that near-enough-is-good enough is the philosophy for a whole lot of people out there. Of course, I tend to see them when they’ve been unemployed or experienced a ridiculously long job search and have arrived at the point where they think they need to do something… anything to get noticed. Amazingly the same people get interviews virtually straight away when they submit a good, professional, well thought-out resume. Who would have thought? This is not a cost folks, this is an investment in your career. (By the way, five-to-ten hours of work goes into a professional resume. Don’t think you’re going to pay $50 for that amount of talent and personalised attention).
- Interview coaching. An actor rehearses before a big performance, a politician rehearses her speech; heck even a best man at a wedding usually gives it a run through or six before the big day. What makes you think you can be highly successful with answers off the top of your head in a pressure situation? Ever wondered how to frame an unfortunate job where you had been sacked? Ever wanted to negotiate your salary but ended up passively accepting less than you wanted? Ever wished you had coped better during a panel interview where four or five people fired questions at you? Thought so. Does interview coaching cost money? Of course it does! That’s because coaches have valuable talents that you do not. Is it worth it? Again, if you’d experienced and heard some of the things people say or do at interviews, you’d realise why they are a tool used by hiring authorities to cull people from the shortlisting process. Costs range depending on the experience of your coach, but around $150-$180 would be a reasonable investment in securing you many thousands-of-dollars a year if you get the job.
- Linkedin. A free service and one that will help you enormously. Linkedin has been around for years now, but it is really only in the last couple of years that Australians have been starting to get their profiles up there in any great numbers. Now that there are many more people of relevance to you here in Australia, you’ll see that there are miles of opportunities awaiting intuitive and smart job seekers. It is not just a matter of uploading your experience and skills online. Did you know that you can search companies in Australia for recent hires? Did you know that you can find names of executives and management teams within certain companies? Wouldn’t that be interesting to reach out to someone in a company where you’d like to work? You may even catch up with past colleagues who endorse you or think of you for a job they’ve heard about. The research has been done and it is there for you to use and leverage to your heart’s content. You can get professionals to develop your Linkedin profile, or you can do it if you know how to market yourself correctly.
- WintheView. You’ve not heard of it have you? That’s okay, but if you’re a manager, senior manager or executive, you should. Put simply, WinTheView allows you to develop a strong and compelling business case for your services stating what you offer and why the company should hire you. The finished presentation can be printed, bound and presented either prior to interview to set the agenda for the discussion, during the interview, or after the interview to leave a lasting impression. WinTheView isn’t for everyone, but the people it helps can find it career-changing. You can read more here
- Meditation and Guided Visualisation. If you think I’ve gone all crystal ball and hippie on you, well, I have in a way, but it is based in science. If you have had a bad experience with job loss or redundancy—-bitterness, anger and resentment are burdens that will negatively affect your job search and have serious repercussions on your health and well-being. Research has shown that people who have lost their jobs carry around unresolved negative feelings for two or more years. The Job Loss Recovery Program by Dr Lynn Joseph here is a scientifically tested protocol for relieving stress, providing emotional closure and setting you on the path to clearly envisage and pursue success in the next phase of your life and career. It’s inexpensive and if you really commit to the process (which includes getting comfortable, doing nothing, closing your eyes and actively daydreaming for 20 minutes, three times a week) it can be good for your career, your health and your soul. Don’t knock it until you try it. Buy the Audio Buy the Ebook
- Twitter. It’s free and it’s a pot of gold for career and job-search advice. Join up and get searching. Look for hashtags #jobseekers. (Remember your manners and wait to make friends before you start bombarding the experts for free advice). Here’s a list I’ve created of resume writers and coaches to save you time and another one I’ve made here of resume writers, coaches, recruiters and career pros.
- Metadata Removal. No-one really thinks about the properties section on a resume created in Microsoft Word. Half the population wouldn’t even know what their resume looks like if they neglect to remove tracked changes from their resume documents. However, if you want to ensure your privacy about who wrote your document, on what machine, at what company and shield yourself from the reader reviewing comments by everyone who has looked at your resume document prior to submission, you’ll realise the importance of removing this personal data (or metadata) from your resume. This site does it for free. Please use it.
- Text-only Resumes (sometimes called ASCII resumes). Probably most people in Australia will never need or want a text-only resume. But if you ever want to paste your resume in an email or use it to fill in an online form to upload your resume, text-only resumes can come in very handy. (Sometimes uploads from Word resumes can delete text especially if it is in a table or text box). ASCII resumes can be a tad tricky if you’re not all that familiar with word processors so this site is a beauty. You do need to create a free account with them, but they do not spam. Once you’re logged in, go to “Text Article Formatter”. (And, if you want to find out the details you can find them here).
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Overwhelmed? Let’s stop here and pick up the subject again soon. In the meantime, why don’t you review the ideas and tips from my pals at the Career Collective below? Or look for the hashtag #CareerCollective on Twitter.
If your industry does not participate online, you can lead the way, @Keppie_Careers
6 Ideas to Put In Your Toolbox, @WorkWithIllness,
Your Best Job Search Resource? You!, @WalterAkana
In a Job Search, Knowledge is Power, @barbarasafani
Jump Start Your Job Search Now!, @resumeservice
Favourite Resources for Jobseekers, @GayleHoward
The Best Job Search Tool Ever, @careersherpa
Find What You Do Best, Know Your Stuff, and Connect, @chandlee
27 Recommended Blogs for Entry-Level Job Seekers, @heatherhuhman
Invaluable Resources for Job Search Success, @heathermundell
Favorite Social-Media Resources for Job-seekers, @KatCareerGal
Canadian Resources for Job Seekers, @EliteResumes @MartinBuckland
A Self-Empowering Job Search Resource, @KCCareerCoach
Covering your bases: 5 ultra-useful online career resources, @LaurieBerenson
Favorite resources for Job seekers, @DawnBugni
Top 3 Resources for Job Seekers to Position Themselves as Experts and Increase their Visibility, @expatcoachmegan
Time as a Career Resource: How “Not” to Squander It, @ValueIntoWords
Favorite Internet Resources for Jobseekers, @ErinKennedyCPRW
The Facts Behind Why LinkUp Is the Most Revolutionary Job Search Engine Available to Job Seekers, @GLHoffman
If you are interested in working with Gayle Howard—an executive resume writer, Certified Master Resume Writer, multi-award-winning resume writer, and Master LinkedIn profile writer, drop her a line now using the contact form at the link above. Gayle can help you get interviews for your dream job and bring the world of business to you by maximizing your exposure and connections on LinkedIn.
Updated my blog! Favourite Resources for Job Seekers: Every so often, a new batch of job seekers are born. Wet beh… http://bit.ly/9f5ymg
RT @GayleHoward: Updated my blog! Favourite Resources for Job Seekers: Every so often, a new batch of job seekers are born. Wet beh… http://bit.ly/9f5ymg
#CareerCollective "Favourite Resources for Jobseekers" @GayleHoward http://bit.ly/bhxYdx
RT @KCCareerCoach: #CareerCollective "Favourite Resources for Jobseekers" @GayleHoward http://bit.ly/bhxYdx
#CareerCollective "Favourite Resources for Jobseekers" @GayleHoward http://bit.ly/bhxYdx
Gayle,
Wow. The meta data tip alone–so valuable! I can’t tell you how many resumes I see where the “author” is listed as a former employer, a friend, another Microsoft Word User.
The “properties” section reveals so much about users–conscientiousness, attention to detail–that is naked to the eye. And yet, it’s such a quick fix (just check your document details when saving.)
I’ll be tweeting this link. Many thanks for a great post.
Thank you for a great post.
Hi Gayle,
Great resources! Have to check out WintheView but like you said, LinkedIn is free and a fantastic opportunity creator. We cannot emphasize that one enough!
Thank you!
Favourite Resources for Jobseekers by @GayleHoward http://bit.ly/bhxYdx #careercollective
Gayle's favorite resources for #jobseekers – and she's gone all hippie! @GayleHoward http://bit.ly/bhxYdx #careercollective
Great resources, Gayle, particularly the “metatag removal.” That’s a new one for me, and I write resumes! Thanks for sharing such pertinent information. And Professional Resume Writers rock!
Thanks Meg. Before I had a Mac, I used to use a Windows-based piece of software from http://www.workshare.com/ which was terrific, but when I no longer had Windows, I started to look elsewhere.
Gayle –
You’re just a wealth of technical information. I’m with Chandlee — The meta data tip was da bomb! And how clever of you to think to recommend working with pros as the number one resource. I learn something wonderful every time we communicate.
Thanks Dawn. The thing also about the meta data removal that I like is that it renames the template back to normal.dot I just like the idea of people not seeing the names of document templates, and all that information. I’m not sure whether you can still do it, but at one time, simply by saving the document as an HTML file (File Save As) the metadata was included right at the bottom of the file. It went on and on, and some of the information was shocking to the reader such as this document was found on C:documentsjob search documentsjobs I don’t care aboutresume.doc! No-one needs to share this type of info!
GREAT resources!RT @GayleHoward: Updated my blog! Favourite Resources for Job Seekers: http://bit.ly/9f5ymg
RT @GayleHoward: Favourite Resources for Job Seekers #jobseekers http://bit.ly/aif8Gg #careercollective
Thanks for sharing so many informative resources. Here’s another one — a very good radio show on KFWB 980 AM in Los Angeles. (It’s a CBS affiliate). Every Sunday night at 8pm (Pacific standard time), hosted by Mark Alyn and the “Job Doctor,” Mike Flanagan, gives out unconventional tips for job seekers. The last few weeks have focused on resumes. Job seekers can call in with questions. If interested, you can listen to the show on their website: http://www.kfwb.com. Click on “Listen Live.”
Favorite Resources for #JobSearch by @GayleHoward http://bit.ly/bhxYdx
RT @phyllismufson: Favorite Resources for #JobSearch by @GayleHoward http://bit.ly/bhxYdx
Gayle:
I love reading your posts! They flow so smoothly!
I love learning too. I picked up a couple of gems from your resources (meta data removal)!
A wonderful guide for newbies and those who may have been at it awhile and need a refresher!
RT @GayleHoward: Favourite Resources for Job Seekers ##jobseekers http://bit.ly/aif8Gg
Hello Gayle,
Thanks for another excellent, passionate article that drills down to what are some of the most pertinent resources for careerists. I must say, I am equally adamant that a professional resume is KEY to turning around a flailing job search. And your articulating the hours that go into preparing a meaningful, resonating resume helps to underscore the value of the investment.
Moreover, like the other commenters, the metadata removal tool is new to me, and I appreciate learning about it!
Finally, you build a compelling case regarding interview coaching. The fact is many professionals and executives carry a false sense of security regarding interviewing, underestimating the pressure they will feel. As such, the proper coaching and PRACTICE can prevent a lot of regret! … and boost the job seeker’s chances of “winning” in the interview!
Best,
Jacqui
I wish I’d known about people like you when I was looking for jobs. The meta-data removal is a “home-run” piece of info and I love that you included the meditation– of course that should be a part of the process! Good job!
Hello, Gayle,
I love the meta data removal tool you shared, it will save me so much time in removing all the Word Properties data quickly and securely. Same for PDF docs. The ASCII text converter is a gem as well. Two time great time savers. Thank you, thank you. I love reading all your posts, and this one is no exception!
Kind regards,
Kathy Bitschenauer
Hi Kathy, I’ve been using that metadata tool since I purchased my Mac. I used to use Windows-based software from a company called Workshare http://www.workshare.com. It was brilliant, but unfortunately doesn’t have a version for Mac. So I went searching around and found the company mentioned in my blog above that actually performed the removal online. This for me was even better, so it has been a terrific “find”.
these resources will help job seekers a great,
thanks for such beneficial article
#Jobseekers new to the job search? Perhaps these resources may help you http://bit.ly/fDFqIn
RT @GayleHoward: #Jobseekers new to the job search? Perhaps these resources may help you http://bit.ly/fDFqIn
I would like to say thanks for a great support first. You have really given a very good guidelines on the very most important points above there. I think specially the metadata and the interview coaching are really means more.