The Dos and Donts When Looking for a Position

The Dos and Donts When Looking for a PositionThe Dos and Donts When Looking for a PositionThe Dos and Donts When Looking for a PositionIt can be confusing and somewhat discouraging to look for a new lage. Many people feel overwhelmed and simply dont know where to start. Lets face it, most of us dont make a career of finding a job, and there are many hurdles to get over.No matter where you start tactically, I recommend considering a strong business strategy backgrounder. Here are some dos and donts when looking for your next positionDO Start with a job search strategy. Write down your accomplishments make sure you can back up career homeruns with bottom-line results such as revenue growth, team building or organizational changes that drove results.People are always asking me to evaluate their resume. Understand that your resume is simply a written summary that should be easy to evaluate and interpret by future business colleagues. Resumes dont get people jobs. But your replies to the questions it provokes could. Make your resume work within the above strategy you craft.DONT Assume networking sites are for personal use only.Social networking sites have hidden land mines, so utilize these tools with discretion and understand the culture of the community. According to CNN, 34 percent of hiring managers chose not to hire a candidate based on what they found in profiles. Future employers are looking for candidates who will fit their culture, therefore controversial information such as inappropriate photographs on Facebook are evidence of poor communication skills and lack of maturity.Networking sites are often viewed by recruiters and hiring managers looking for active and passive candidates, so make sure that your profile is updated and positive.DO Seek out executive recruiters.Seek out the best recruiters in your industry, because good recruiters usually will give you a lead, advice and at the very least keep you on the radargert for the next appropriate position.S end your information to appropriate executive search firms and follow up with them every couple of months either via email or phone call. Dont get down if they dont get back to you they simply dont have a position that matches your profile.Build your relationships with worthy recruiters who will keep an eye out for people they know and who have taken the time to get to know them.DONT Bad mouth your boss and/or colleagues.Its off-putting and sends a red flag to prospective employers. Most hiring managers are viewing sites and looking for people that have positive comments about past social and business experiences. This includes online mentions. Hiring managers use social networking sites to quickly gain a well-rounded view of potential candidates. According to ComputerWorld, 22 percent of employers said they already pursue social networks to screen candidates, while an additional 9 percent said they are planning to do so.DO Know thy self.The candidates who land jobs understand valu e, crafting the best strategy that communicates that value and how to assert a winning attitude. How can you be one of those candidates? Know thy self understand how your skills and qualifications relate to the position you are applying for. Then write a brief, to-the-point cover letter stating what value you bring and how it relates to the company and their needs.DONT Be discouraged.If a recruiter doesnt call you back it doesnt mean youre not right for their niche, but they work for companies that hire them to find talent to identify specific profiles.DO Talk about solutions.Refer to industry trends and ask for a meeting to talk about future growth dare to be smarter and talk about business problems and solutions.DONT Just push send.The www is a rocky road and can be a big waste of time if youre not focused. Please dont press send before looking up the company, do your homework and understand business needs.Searching for a position is work, and work takes effort and a lot of time. Its easy to be discouraged in this market, but hiring managers can only find you if you are putting yourself out there. You need to be vigilant in keeping up with specific job boards, networking communities, friends and past colleagues. Talk about business solutions by asking pertinent questions. Know the company and marketplace before sending your resume. Keep your profile professional and updated and dont lose heart, you will find a position.