Where Are The Jobs?

Where Are The Jobs?

If you are in career transition you are discovering that landing your next job may not happen within a matter of days or weeks or months or even years! There are many factors that will determine your success and reduce the length of your job search including a daily commitment, as finding a job is a full time job! Additionally, a carefully and methodically planned job search strategy should be reviewed and implemented with one key question in mind, “Where are the jobs”?

Close to 90% of recruiters are utilizing social media in 2011 to source potential candidates. Since they have the jobs, you need to be there. Establishing and maintaining a professional online presence utilizing Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook is a key job search strategy. In addition to networking online it is also imperative to network in person with no less than 2-3 meetings per day and at least that many per week attending professional networking groups. The likelihood that networking will be key to finding your next job is greater than any other job search strategy and it could take months off the length of your job search!

The number of online jobs continue to rise but use your time sparingly searching online job boards as it is not where the jobs are. At least not the majority of jobs. Although many positions can be found, recruiters have a more vested interest in enticing employers and other organizations to utilize their services for a substantial fee than using it to find potential candidates. It has been suggested that the success rate in securing a position from online job boards is approximately 4% so invest your time wisely by ensuring your professional resume is posted on all job search sites and updating it daily since your chances of being found will be greater than that of finding a job.

Dramatic changes in the economy and the rise and fall of various industries have impacted career directions around the globe. Job seekers are encouraged as employers are recognizing the value of transferable skills as well as the confidence and initiative required to successfully pursue a new career path. Of course success will be related to choosing the industry that will take you to where the jobs are. It would not be considered a prudent decision at this time to transition from Finance to Manufacturing or from mobile to land line technology so stay current with changing trends and technologies, economic conditions and business news to increase job opportunities. Be sure your qualifications meet the requirements of the position you are applying for to avoid extending your job search any longer than necessary.

Where are the jobs? Hidden, which is why networking is the best job search strategy with the best results.

Where are the jobs? Recruiters and HR professionals are trying to fill them and 89% are utilizing social media to search for potential candidates. Will they find you?

Where are the jobs? The upswing of many industries and evolving technologies will indicate where the jobs are so stay current and use the knowledge to assist in paving the way toward a long and successful career.

Reevaluate your job search strategies and ensure your path is leading you to where the jobs are especially this summer when most of your competition have decided to drop out of the job search race.

The Career Collective is an online community of expert career advisers and resume writing professionals. Each month these experts provide valuable information, Collaboratively Helping Job Seekers to gain the competitive edge necessary to succeed in the current job market. For professional advice in your job search visit:

4 Summer Strategies to Step Up Your Job Search, @DebraWheatman
Putting Your Job Search Up On The Rack For Inspection, @dawnrasmussen
Mid-Year Job Search Checkup: Are you wasting your time? @GayleHoward
What is your unique value proposition? @keppie_careers
It is Time for Your Check-up Ms/Mr Jobseeker, @careersherpa
Mid-Year Career Checkup: Are You “On Your Game?” @KatCareerGal
How to Perform a Mid-Year Job Search Checkup, @heatherhuhman
Reposition your job search for success, @LaurieBerenson
Mid-Year Job Search Checkup: What’s working and What’s not? @erinkennedycprw
Mid-Year Job Search Check-Up: Getting Un-Stuck, @JobHuntOrg
Mid-Year Check Up: The Full 360, @WalterAkana
5 Tips for Fighting Summer Job Search Blues, @KCCareerCoach
Are you positive about your job search? @DawnBugni
Where Are The Jobs? @MartinBuckland, @EliteResumes
Mid-Year Job-Search Checkup: Get Your Juices Flowing, @ValueIntoWords
When Was Your Last Career & Job Search Check Up? @expatcoachmegan
Is Summer A Job Search Momentum Killer? @TimsStrategy
Is It Time for Your Resume Checkup? @barbarasafani

Don’t make these mistakes on your resume

A mistake on your resume is all the potential employer is looking for to send your resume to the recycle bin. As a potential candidate, you may feel you are the perfect choice but initially you will likely be represented as simply one of many resumes. Due to the number of candidates, the selection process is not always one of "finding a needle in a haystack" but getting rid of the hay to find the needle. It is a process of elimination which will be done quickly and require little cause to reduce the numbers to those which will be manageable in scheduling job interviews. It is imperative to understand these mistakes on your resume could seriously impact your career.

Age – Sex – Marital Status

These personal details have no place on a resume in North America or in most other countries. Any mention and your resume will likely to be discounted from further reading. Since this information has absolutely no impact on your ability to perform the job, it is considered discriminatory and should remain personal.

Political & Religious Affiliations

Leave them out! Although age discrimination is decreasing people will always discriminate for religious or political reasons. It’s none of their business, so why place an obstacle in your way? As much as you don't want to be discriminated against, no potential employer wants to risk the accusation.

Hobbies

If your hobbies aren’t relevant to your career, leave them off. It’s information an employer doesn’t need to see. Again, your personal hobby could influence the reader on a personal level rather than professional, which is discrimination.

Volunteer Work – Community Involvement

Increasingly potential employers and recruiters are seeking people who participate in community activities and give their time for free. It says a lot about your character. However, if your volunteer work is related to religion or politics leave it out.

Employer Information

Including the name of your Manager and direct Supervisor and their contact details is not necessary. It has no relevance to your hiring. If the employer requires this information at the interview stage they will ask.

References

“References Available Upon Request” is a term which is severely outdated and simply a waste of space. It’s automatically assumed that you have a list of references which should be available on a separate reference sheet and taken with you to the job interview.

Remuneration

Your salary and bonus expectations are not required. Too high or too low, either could be a reason to eliminate you as a candidate or allow the potential employer to slot you into other positions that may not be of interest. Do not include any financial expectations in your resume.

Typos, outdated terminology and skills, lack of quantifiable achievements and too many pages are further mistakes on your resume that could send it to the recycle rather than securing a job interview. For further information on presenting a professional resume that is sure to get you recognized as a potential candidate, contact Elite Resumes for a free resume critique from Martin Buckland, Certified Professional Resume Writer.