Job Seeking Tips From Top Career Advisor Cheryl Palmer - FlexJobs

Job Seeking Tips From Top Career Advisor Cheryl Palmer - FlexJobsJob Seeking Tips From Top Career Advisor Cheryl Palmer Call to Career, a career coaching and resume writing firm. Cheryl has been featured on CNN and MarketWatch, and shes here today to offer her tips on common mistakes job seekers make, must-do resume and cover letter tips, the best time to respond to a job posting and more.Tips from career advisor, Cheryl PalmerDo you have any must-do resume or cover letter tips that help land applications at the top of the pile?Highlight accomplishments. Job seekers often pull out their position descriptions and use them as the basis for a description of their work experience. But seldom do they point out accomplishments on the resume, which are what distinguish them from similarly qualified candidates. Other employees with similar job titles will have similar experience, but no one can duplicate your accomplishments exactly. Employers are interested in what you have contributed to p revious organizations as an indicator of what you can do for them.Use keywords. Recruiters search their resume databases by keywords, so if a resume does elendlage contain that keywords that recruiters are looking for, that resume will probably elend be reviewed, no matter how qualified the applicant is.Match your qualifications to the requirements of the position. This will make your cover letter effective. The recruiter should not have to guess as to whether or not you are qualified. Make it clear that you have the qualifications that the company is looking for based on the vacancy announcement.Sending in a job application can be extremely competitive. Do you feel job seekers need to respond to a job posting immediately? Or what is the best approach timing-wise to get their resume seen?It is best to respond to a posted opening as quickly as possible. Many recruiters will cut off the number of resumes they review after the first 50 or so because they are so inundated with people tr ying to find work. I advise job seekers to try to network their way into a company after they have sent in a resume. That way they are more likely to get a response to the resume that they sent in.What are the most common mistakes you come across when working with people to find jobs?Over-relying on job boards. Many job seekers rely on job boards as their only job search method. Job boards are where you will find the most competition. Although job seekers should use job boards as part of their job search mix, they should also incorporate networking, recruiters, and professional associations into their job search to increase their job search resultsNot practicing for the interview. Many people feel that because they have been successful in the past in terms of landing a job, that they dont need to practice their answers to commonly asked interview questions. This is a big mistake. The interview is too important for you not to be well-prepared for it. You will be accepted or rejected based on your performance in the interview, so prepare for questions that you will probably be asked.Not negotiating salary. The biggest mistake that job hunters make in terms of salary negotiation is that they do not attempt to negotiate because they are scared to do so in the current economic environment. Since the competition is so stiff in the job market, many job seekers unfortunately assume that they have no bargaining power. However, most organizations have a range in mind for the salary that they intend to pay new employees, so there is room for negotiation.What is your best advice for someone who is unhappy in their current job?Take a hard look at your options and determine the best course of action. Dont wait until the job is totally unbearable and you are forced to leave. Test the waters with the job market in the field that you are in to see how feasible it is to find another position. Perhaps you can find another position in the company that you are in that is a better fit for you.But if you realize that obtaining another job is not workable right now, try some of these options to increase your job satisfactionMentor more junior employees. If you have a number of years of experience in your field, you can increase your job satisfaction by passing along your experience to employees who are newer to the organization. There is fulfillment in helping others, and mentoring other employees can make your time at your current job more enjoyable.Get involved in committees to increase your visibility in the organization and make a contribution outside of your department. Many large companies have committees to review processes or improve employee retention. Joining such a committee can expose you to other people in a large organization that you might not otherwise meet and can open the door for future job opportunities.Take advantage of employer-sponsored community service programs. If your employer has a community service program, use that as an opportunit y to do something good for someone else and get away from your workplace for a few hours a week. This will take your mind off your own troubles and also lend a helping hand to someone else. You might be able to get involved in your local public school or help out in a homeless shelter. Community service programs can also have the added benefit of positioning you for future opportunities if you take on volunteer work that will give you skills in a different area.Use a company-sponsored tuition reimbursement program to your advantage. If your company offers tuition reimbursement, take classes that will enhance your resume. You might consider getting a certification in your field since certifications have become very common in many fields. If you do not yet have an advanced degree, you might consider using the tuition reimbursement program to obtain that degree to increase your marketability.These are a few ways that you can use your time well while you are waiting for a better opportu nity to come along.In this tough economy, is it better for a person to quit a job that makes them miserable and dedicate their time to finding a better job or keep their current position while they look?I advise people in this situation to keep their current position and look for something better. Many employers prefer to hire individuals who are already employed. The other issue is that you will have an income while you are searching. If you quit your job, you may not be eligible for unemployment benefits, and even if you receive unemployment benefits, the amount you receive may not be enough to pay your bills.What recommendations do you have for job-seekers to explain a substantial period of unemployment? If you have done volunteer work during your period of unemployment, use that to fill in the gap on your resume. Some job seekers have cared for family members who are ill while unemployed, and others have volunteered in their houses of worship or in the community. This is conside red experience. But to not explain a gap in employment is the kiss of death. Employers will easily conclude that you have not been doing anything during this time if you do not address the issue on the resume.What tips to do you offer to help people looking to improve their work-life experience?Dont put all your eggs in one basket. Your job is only one part of your life. Make sure that you invest in the people in your life and get involved in your community. You should make a contribution to society by being a good father, mother, sister, aunt, uncle, and community member. You cannot afford to stake all of your self-worth on your employment status, especially in a bad economy where competition for jobs is stiff. If you lose your job and you have not invested in your relationships, you will soon realize that you have neglected a very important part of your life.For someone facing a job search, is there a piece of advice or inspiration you recommend?Stay positive by associating with p ositive people. Job searches are taking longer now than they did prior to the recession. You should think of your job search as a marathon rather than a sprint. In order to stay motivated to keep on looking when things dont happen as quickly as you would like, you will need positive people around you to encourage you.Any other tips or advice youd like to share?Cultivate your network throughout your entire work life. Many people only network when they need a job, but you should nurture your network continuously by periodically touching base with people you know professionally.To learn more from Cheryl Palmer and Call to Career, visit calltocareer.com.