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Job Search Guide – Resume Keywords

Keywords can be used to help you find jobs, as well as to help prospective employers and headhunters find you.  Here’s how.

Finding a job right now is difficult, what with all the current competition.  Your resume may land in a pile with dozens of other jobseekers’, which seriously detracts from your likelihood of getting noticed.  To increase your chances of finding a job, it is important to expand your job search and apply for as many positions as you can find for which you are qualified.

Simple mathematics tells us that, sure, the more jobs you apply to, the better your odds are of finding one.  But finding more jobs to apply for is the trick.  Here are some suggestions for how to use keywords to expand your job search and improve your chances.

Identify Important Key Phrases

Next time you are searching the online job boards, pay close attention to key phrases employers use in your resume.  You can use these phrases to find other jobs you might be just as qualified for.

Come up with a list of keywords or phrases that you frequently find in ads for the sort of job you are looking for, making sure of course that they describe skills you already have.  Then plug these terms into your favorite job search engines, and you may be surprised at the range of jobs that come up which require the same skills!

Ignore Job Titles

Have you heard the saying that you should never judge a book by its cover?  Likewise, you should never judge a job by its title.  The title is usually chosen by the company, and may actually be a very poor representation of what the job actually entails — or what skills it requires.  This is why identifying keywords and phrases to search for, instead of the job title itself, is a good strategy to use in your job search.

For example, say you are looking for a job as a technical writer.  Not all jobs that utilize this particular skill set may be listed as a technical writer.  For instance, you might find that a position for a human resources person or a new employee trainer might be very similar, requiring many of the same skills you already have.

Get Creative with Your Searches

The key to a good job search is thinking outside of the box.  Using a job search website is really no different than using a regular search engine like Yahoo! or Google.  Think about it: When you search for something on the Internet, you often add or delete words or use quotes, depending on what search results you get back the first time.  The same is true for searching for a job.

Take a close look at the results you get back, and determine if there are specific keywords you should be including in your search terms in order to narrow your results, or if you should be removing words in order to get more results back.  Putting a specific phrase in quotes, such as the name of software that is often used in your line of work, can also help to identify jobs you might be qualified for.

Include Key Phrases in Your Resume

Once you have identified what key phrases to search for, be sure that you put them to further use in order to help recruiters and potential employers find you.  Although it is a less common way to find a job, some employers and headhunters search resumes on job search websites, looking for jobseekers that have a very particular skill set.  However, if you don’t use the right keywords in your resume, you may not turn up in their search results.

Remember that list of keywords you made while you were searching for jobs?  These are key phrases that frequently appear in job ads seeking people with your talents and experience.  It only stands to reason that employers and recruiters will use these same terms in their searches, as well.  Go through your resume and replace your descriptive terms with these frequently used key phrases, and don’t worry about sounding like a copycat — potential employers are more concerned about whether you have the skills they are looking for, and using industry accepted terms is the best way to show that you do.

As you can tell, keywords are an important part of any serious job search.  Jobseekers who utilize keywords and phrases may be able to find a broader selection of jobs to apply for; likewise, you can use keywords to narrow your search results to just those jobs you are exceptionally qualified for.  Incorporating this concept into your job search will vastly improve your odds of finding a job!

The Best Job Search Sites

Everyone’s looking for work these days it seems and with all the ways to go about it, newspaper ads, local ads, the Internet, it can be an overwhelming task deciding which is the best way to go about it. Herein I will list for you the top rated online job search websites as well as their pros and cons so you can get the best results during your job-hunt and get to work faster.

JobGoRound.Com – This website has the ability to find job openings with just a click or two of the mouse. All you need to do is enter a keyword, set your location and you can see hundreds of offers. That is the upside to the service, the downside is that you have no means to post a resume on the website for potential companies to find you and offer you a position. You can; however, use a job search assistant to find places and post your resume with them and the site offers some advice on resumes as well as interviews.

Monster.Com – Everyone’s heard of Monster, it’s one of the premier job search sites and it offers a great deal of options for helping people find jobs as well as helping recruiters find people for their company. You can use a job search assistant to scour the service for jobs that match your skills and have to postings emailed to you as they appear. You can also post your resume online for companies to view and you are given the ability to share that resume at will when you apply for any jobs. Monster also has the luxury, because of their well-known name, to attract one of the largest databases on jobs online, which means the choices are almost endless.

HotJobs.Com – Yahoo’s HotJobs.Com pretty has everything you can think of under the sun to help you find that one perfect job you need. The system they use makes separating job search types by skill, location and pay easier than any other site online at this time. You can get assistance that is as detailed as you want it to be through their search assistants and email notifications. There is online resume assistance as well as the ability to store and update your resume whenever needed. You can also save the searches you have done so that, instead of having to look all over again, you simply return to your previous searches which saves a great deal of time and stress.

Job openings are updated constantly and using the saved searches on these types of websites makes looking for jobs easier than ever. There are also a ton of tools on these sites to help with interviews from tips to things you should practice as well as things you never want to do during an interview.

The best part of these types of search engines is the time it saves you. Looking for work in the newspaper is time consuming and not very effective anymore as most companies are placing their ads almost exclusively online.

Read resume service reviews of the top professional resume writing services.

How to Find a Job

Whether you’re just out of college or have been in the workforce for decades, it’s typically not easy to find a new job. If you’re currently job hunting, you’re not alone. Some studies suggest that as many as 75 percent of people are looking for a job at any given time. That’s a lot of competition. The best way to increase the odds that you land a job you’re interested in is to make sure that you know about them in the first place. Here are some good places to start:

Spread it around. It’s a lot of work, but blanketing your geographic area with your resume is an old standby for a reason: it sometimes works. Why send your resume to a company that hasn’t advertised any open positions? Because they may not ever advertise—even if a position comes open. Or, a position could open up the day after you submit your resume, and guess who will have a leg up in the selection process? Why, the person whose resume just came across the hiring manager’s desk the previous day, of course. Identify the companies for whom you would like to work, and create a general resume (with specifics such as the company and recipient’s name) that showcases your abilities and interests. You may not get a call even if you send out 200 of these, but then again, you might get 10 calls.

Apply for open jobs. It sounds like a no-brainer, but lots of people today skip the newspaper and online classifieds because they assume that the company will be deluged with resumes. And that’s true. But if you’re qualified, there’s no reason not to apply and one very good reason to do so: you know they have an open position. Take the time to personalize your resume and cover letter as much as possible, as well as proof it thoroughly, and you’ll already be in the top tier of candidates because too many people fail to take these easy steps.

Contact your old university. Most colleges, universities, and technical schools offer graduates and alumni job placement services. Just because you’ve been out in the work world for a decade doesn’t mean that State U can’t help you. The best career centers ask alums to let them know when jobs become available within their companies so they can pass those leads on to other alums. And having an alma mater in common is a great jumping off point with a potential boss.

Talk to a recruiter. Headhunters are one of the most under-utilized job hunting tools. Some people believe that headhunters only work for high-dollar professionals like doctors; others believe that recruiters only work for blue collar companies needing cheap labor. The truth is that headhunters are employed by companies across the board—and they always want to meet quality professionals like you. Legitimate headhunters don’t charge job seekers a fee (they make money from the companies who hire the candidates they provide), so what do you have to lose?

Ask your friends. You’ll probably talk to your pals about your desire to get a new job anyway, so why not employ their help in the process? Ask them to think about possibilities within their own company, in companies that do business with their firm, their spouse’s company, and anyone else in their social circle who could be a lead for you. Even if they can’t come up with anything solid right then, it will put the idea in their brain so that if they hear of anything, you’ll be the first person they call.

Network with everyone. This means both inside and outside of your field. Many people think that colleagues in the same field will have an inside track on open jobs, but think about it: if a great job comes along, why wouldn’t your colleague apply for it instead of telling you about it? Same-field networking works best when you know people who are at least one rung above you on the professional ladder. That way, you won’t be applying for the same jobs, and they’re more likely to know about job openings at your level. It may actually be more productive to network outside of your field, and the good news is that you can do this anywhere, not just those uncomfortable after-hours networking socials. Wherever you go—cocktail parties, your child’s baseball game, church—make sure to mention that you may be in the market for a change. You never know when an acquaintance will say, “What a coincidence; my brother is looking for a new graphic designer.”

Search for jobs on the JobGoRound job search board.

Resume Distribution Methods

Once you have your resume completed, it won’t be able to help you get a job until it is in the hands of potential employers.  The only way to ensure that your resume is put to good use is to distribute it effectively and efficiently.  There are a variety of resume distribution methods that you can utilize, however some are markedly better than others.  In order to choose the best distribution methods for you, it is important to understand the advantages and drawbacks of each method.

Resume Distribution Methods

1.    All You – While the internet makes searching for jobs easier than ever before, manually distributing your resume in response to job postings remains a common option.  Newspapers carry far less job openings now that the internet has taken control.  The biggest benefit of researching job openings and manually distributing your resume is that your resume is only given to openings that interest you.  Additionally, you can personalize and tailor each resume to individual jobs.  The main drawback is that this process can quickly become very time consuming.

2.    Recruiters/Staffing Services – Using recruiters and staffing agencies have become extremely popular over the last decade.  One reason for this is that staffing services and recruiters often have specialized to fit certain industries.  Additionally, they will often hear of open positions much quicker than you could find them on your own.  It is important to keep in mind that in order to get good results, using multiple recruiters and staffing services is a must.

3.    Job Fairs – Job fairs, also known as career fairs, are scheduled gatherings that are designed for employers and potential employees to meet in one place.  They are often held in hotel ballrooms or convention centers.  The biggest benefit of attending job fairs is that they give you access to dozens of employers all at once.  Additionally, they are great for creating a face to face meeting.  The biggest drawback to job fairs is that in order to stand out, you really need to stand out.  Employers will see hundreds of potential employees and getting ahead of the pack can be difficult.

4.    Resume Posting – There are a variety of different online websites that allow people to post their resumes and then employers can browse them as needed.  Many of the most popular job boards include Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, and Craigslist.  Posting your resume is often offered as a free service, however keep in mind that they contain thousands or hundreds of thousands of resumes.  This means that an employer may have to dig a little in order to see your resume.  Keep in mind that this is a very passive tactic.  Once you post your resume, it is left up to the employer to contact you.

5.    Resume Distribution Services – There are more and more resume distribution services available on line.  These services blast out your resume to thousands of recruiters and employers simultaneously.  This approach is involves minimal time, however can get expensive over time.  Additionally, you have little choice in who will get your resume, which means that 80%+ of the people who receive your resume will not be a good match.

There are a variety of resume distribution methods available, in order to get the best results, using a compilation of methods is often the best.

Job Search Tips for Veterans

When it comes to a career transition, nothing compares to transitioning from a military career to a civilian career.  However as long as you go into your job search with a game plan, a job search doesn’t have to be difficult.  Lets take a look at some simple job search tips for veterans that can simplify the process of finding your next career.

Job Search Tips for Veterans

1.    Re-asses Yourself - Giving a decent part of your life to the military has changed you in one way or another.  To make sure that you job search heads in the right direction, it is important to asses who you are now and how these changes could affect your career choice.  For example, you now must consider factors like: where you want to live, is there a civilian career that correlates with your military career, what skills have you gained, what skills do you plan on learning, and do you still want to work for the government.  You must also determine if you sustained any injuries during your military career that could potentially hinder your ability to pursue certain careers.  Use this self assessment to guide you towards a particular career path or industry.

2.    Create a Civilian Friendly Marketing Portfolio – Many veterans state that this is the most difficult aspect of the transition from a military to civilian career.  The reason that this is so difficult is that it requires a change in mindset.  You need to adjust to what a civilian employer wants and can understand.  It is critical to remove military jargon and acronyms, because they will not carry any meaning to your employer.  The easiest way to do this, is to write down what you want to say on your resume and have civilian friends and family read it.  If they can understand it, then you are off to a great start.

3.    Identify Transitional Skills – Some transitional skills are very easy to identify, if you worked with computers, then these skills would easily translate.  However, it is important to not forget about “soft” transitional skills, otherwise known as intangible qualities.  Military training provides a number of intangibles that can be easily illustrated with specific examples throughout your resume, as well as during the interview process. Military transition resume writers can help with this.

4.    Staying With the Government? – There are a number of civilian government positions that favor veterans.  If you are still interested in working for the government, then there are a number of excellent resources that you can use.  Some of the most common include: FedsHireVets.gov, USAJobs.gov, and JobHunt’s jobs by state.  These jobs often make the transition from military to civil service easier because they are geared toward veterans.

There are a lot of job search tips for veterans, but these 4 are consistently regarded as incredibly important.  By keeping these 4 tips in mind when searching for your first civil job since leaving the military, the entire process will be much more stress free and much more successful.

Resume Distribution: Save Time Job Searching

Job seekers everywhere are trying to find new and innovative ways to improve their job search efforts. In an economy where unemployment is rising, companies are cutting back, fewer businesses than usual are starting up and downsizing is the norm, there are more people searching for work than there has been in quite a while. Families are tightening their belts and spending less, while trying to reduce debt they accumulated when the economy was good. More and more people who depend on commission are finding that their household income has dropped significantly. Many households that had a stay at home parent are now faced with that person needing to return to the workforce in order to make ends meet. For all these reasons and more, competition in the job market is fierce.

Resume distribution is one of those relatively new services that developed along with the rise in Internet use for finding jobs. Today’s job seekers use the Internet almost exclusively in their job search efforts. There are online job boards that are updated in real time with new jobs as they become available. Professional recruiting services all have web sites and do much of their work online. Individual company websites list job openings, as do online classifieds and many other sites. For the job seeker however, visiting all the possibly pertinent sites and posting your resume can be extremely time consuming.

That’s where resume distribution services come into play. In exchange for paying a small but reasonable fee, a resume distribution service will blast your resume to multiple sites at once. They will target hundreds and possibly even thousands of recruiting firms, corporations, hospitals, large businesses and other employers. This helps to save an incredible amount of time in your job search because you reach a huge number of possible employers at once. It is an especially useful option for anyone who is looking for any job that comes along and fast. The downside is that you have no say in where your resume is sent and it may or may not end up helping you get a job.

To overcome the problems associated with widely blasting a resume, targeted resume distribution services began. While basically the same as the regular resume distribution service, the targeted one gives you the option of selecting who will receive your resume. You can narrow down the recipients according to industry, salary level, position types and more. You even have the option of specifying the companies and recruiters you truly want to have your resume. While a much more effective way of finding a job you actually want, this service is more costly than the original resume distribution service.

If you are out of a job or simply looking for a new one, put technology to work for you. Select the type of resume distribution service that fits your needs and get started. In no time your job search will be wide open and you’ll be on the fast track to being amongst the newly employed.

Top Job Search Mistakes

Many job seekers think that whether they land a new position is a matter of luck: it’s good luck if they’re hired, and it’s bad luck if they’re not. The truth is that what separates successful job hunters from unsuccessful ones often is a question of preparedness, persistence, and hard work. A little common sense never hurt, either. Below are the biggest mistakes that people make when looking for a new job—and how you can avoid them:

Leaving your current job before lining up something else. This isn’t a good idea even in a thriving job market, but it’s an especially bad idea in an uncertain economy. No matter how irritating your co-workers are or how obnoxiously your boss behaves, stick it out until you land something new. Just think of your daily grind as motivation to find a great new gig. The caveats: if something illegal is going on or your office is toxic to your health, get out now and wait tables for a while if you have to.

Not taking the search seriously. Too many people who say they’re looking for a new job take fail to approach it as the serious endeavor that it is. They send out an “okay” resume that they’ve had for 10 years, don’t bother to proofread their cover letter for errors, or flake on sending a thank-you note after an interview. A job search is important, and you don’t want to burn bridges with potential employers because you’re too lazy to put in some effort. The solution? Get serious! Print out your resume and cover letter on high-quality paper, update your resume every few months, and contact the people you plan to list as professional references so they aren’t caught off guard when a hiring manager calls them.

Lying on paper or in an interview. You were just a few credits shy of graduating from college, but that’s close enough, right? Wrong. Most of us don’t fudge on the big stuff—like fabricating degrees or places of employment—but many job hunters blur the line of truth when it comes to responsibilities they’ve had or skills they’ve mastered. Don’t risk it. If you don’t have the experience you need to land the job you want, work on getting it, rather than making it up.

Not keeping your network up to date. The worst time to realize you’ve let your network disappear is when you want (or need!) to look for a new job. Think of your network of contacts, associates, and mentors as a sort of life raft for those unexpected moments that pop up in everyone’s career. When you tend to those relationships with periodic phone and email check-ins, coffees, and the occasional lunch, you’re maintaining a valuable pipeline that can come in handy when you need to know where the jobs are—fast. If you’ve let things slide in that area, pick up the phone and ask a few people if they’ll have coffee with you. They may be able to help you, but if they can’t today, don’t make the mistake of letting the relationships lapse again. You never know when you might need their help.

Not telling the employer what’s in it for them. You’ve got a car payment due in two weeks. You want a better title. You need health insurance. All of these are great reasons to look for a new job, but they aren’t great reasons for someone to hire you. See the difference? An employer wants to hear what kind of value you’ll bring to the company and why she should take a chance on you, rather than the other 50 candidates. Think about what you bring to the table, and then sell it.

Leaving the rest up to fate. Your great resume got you a job interview, and the interview went well. While you may be tempted to simply wait by the phone until you hear from the company, there’s still plenty you can do. First, send a thank-you note to everyone you talked to (within one day of the meeting). Thank them for their time and let them know that you’re available if they want to meet with you again. Second, follow up with anyone who may still have influence over whether you get the job. Let your references know they may be getting a call and thank them for agreeing to put in a good word for you. If you have a professional contact within the company, thank them for their help in learning about the opening, securing the interview, etc. Lastly, if you haven’t heard from the company in a while, it’s okay to place a brief phone call letting them know you’re still very interested in the job.

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Where to Post Your Resume

Finding a new job during a recession can be a difficult undertaking. Employers are reluctant to hire new people when they may be facing layoffs down the road. Whether you are one of the people that may be subject to a lay off, or if you just want to find a different job, posting your resume in the right place can make the difference between getting a job or not.

The first thing to do is to make sure that your resume is updated and looks professional. Consider your resume to sales page about your qualifications or specific job. As with all forms of advertising, finding the right place to get your personal ad about you seen is important. Here are some great places to post your resume.

This one should be fairly obvious. Post your resume on any of the online classified job boards. Employers search frequently for qualified people before they post their ads online. If your resume is already online, an employer can find it more easily.

If you don’t have one already, get a Facebook page. While they are supposed to be for personal networking and social experience, more and more employers are searching Facebook pages for information about potential new hires. Just make sure that you don’t have anything embarrassing on your site that may keep you from being considered for a good job. Post your resume on any of the other social networking sites that you are a member of, such as Myspace.

If you’re looking for an administrative job, register with the temporary agencies, and give them a copy of your resume. Many clerical positions are placed as temporary to permanent assignments.

Post your resume on the website of every company that has a job for which you apply. Many companies have their own internal application process online. If they post a job, they typically ask for your resume. Go ahead and upload a copy for them to review. Again, make sure it stands out from the crowd of other people applying for the same job.

An ideal place to post your resume is with your local Department of Labor. This department has a lot of contacts with local employers. Most states now have the ability to have online resumes. Post your resume here so employers can see it.

Post your resume on your blog site. This may seem strange at first. However, if your site pulls in a lot of visitors, this is a great way to network.

There are a variety of professional resume distribution services online that send your resume to recruiters and employers in your industry. Some of them offer their services for no charge, and others charge a fee. Most people agree that the fee is worth the time they save in contacting and working with such a large group of recipients.

If you do happen to have your own webpage, post your resume there. Many employers search the names of applicants to see if they do have websites of their own.

These are just a few of the many options available to post your resume. You will want to use some old-fashioned methods as well. Hand out your resume to everyone that you know. Ask them to put in a good word for you, if they hear about the job. Resumes are great at selling you, but networking still works better than anything else.

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Job Hunting Tips

Job hunting is more competitive than it has been in years. The present economy means that there are countless newly-unemployed people looking for the same jobs you are. Therefore it is more important than ever to know everything you can about job hunting skills.

Make sure everyone you know is aware that you are looking for a new job. Most jobs are never advertised and therefore if you are searching only in newspapers and online job sites, you are missing a lot of opportunities. Utilize social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to get it out there that you are looking for work. Just remember to use social networking wisely. Anything and everything that you put on the web is something that a potential employer can see. Therefore, choose wisely before you share too much in cyberspace.

Research companies in your area and check their websites. Jobs may be listed there that are not listed elsewhere. If you are interested in working for a particular firm, call them, send them your resume and follow it up with a phone call. Get the name of a contact person to speak with there.

Create a sensational resume, having spent a great deal of time on it. Have it proofread and critiqued by several people. Remember to tailor it to every job you apply on. It will make a huge difference in getting interviews, as the resume typically makes the very first impression that someone has of you. Grab them with a great “Career Objective” that is perfectly tied to the job you are seeking. Use resume buzz words and terms from their job description throughout the resume and cover letter to help cinch the fact that you are the perfect fit for the job.

Write thank you notes after a job interview. This is a crucial step that many people skip. Doing this one thing can make the difference between choosing you or someone else for the job. Be prompt with the note; send it the same day as the interview. Send thank you notes individually to all those who interviewed you. Reiterate your desire to work at the firm, your suitability for the job, add anything you may have forgotten to mention and above all, thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity.

Prepare well for interviews. Learn everything you can about the company you are being interviewed for. Prior to the interview have intelligent questions formulated that show that you have knowledge of the company, because the interviewer will always ask if you have any questions. Practice the answers to typical interview questions. Write out the answers and rehearse them, so that you feel comfortable answering them during the stress of the interview. Have impeccable grooming and dress your best for the interview. Remember that first impressions are made in the first seconds you meet someone, so put your best foot forward, radiate confidence and offer a firm handshake to create the best impression possible.

Treat the job hunt like you would a job. Start early in the day and keep going until the end of the workday. Dress like you are going to work, or even better. Do not sink into the trap of depression because you are job hunting. Strive to do your best at job hunting, because that is your job if you are out of work.

By working hard and putting the required effort into your job hunt, you can be confident in the fact that you are doing all you possibly can to find a job. Be patient and use your imagination as you seek opportunities. Before you know it, you’ll find the perfect job just for you.

Visit the JobGoRound job search board.

What to Look for in a Resume Distribution Service

Resume distribution services e-mail your resume to prospective employers and certain job boards thus getting your name out fast and efficiently. While they have only recently gained popularity in the last few years, they are extremely popular now due to their convenience. Of course, you will have to pay a fee to have this service done, but it will save you the time and headache of doing it yourself and allow you to focus on other issues you have going on in your life.

As there are a growing number of resume distribution services available it is important to know what to look for when you choose one. There are a number of differences with certain resume distribution services so great care should be taken when deciding which one is right for you. Some of the factors that should be considered are:

•    Reputation: Don’t go with the first resume distribution service you find. There are many to choose from and most have reviews from their clients on their websites. Simply do a search on Google or Yahoo search for resume distribution services and take the time to investigate a few of them.

•    Compatibility: A lot of resume distribution centers will distribute your resume for you but they will blast it out to anyone and everyone. Why would you want your resume going to a dog grooming company if you are seeking a job in sales? Choose a resume distribution center that only sends your resume to companies that are compatible to what you are looking for.

•    Contract: Never sign on with a resume distribution service that makes you sign a long-term contract. There are many that will let you pay as you go and these are ideal so you can be sure you are happy with their services the first time before you use them again.

•    Price: While this isn’t the most important factor, it is important. If several different resume distribution services fit all the above criteria, then obviously it is in your best interest to go with the one that is the best bargain price wise.

Make sure that have your resume distribution service continue to keep working for you even if you get a job. If your resume is always out, then you will always have the chance of getting an even better job further down the road and if you have a resume distribution service working for you, you won’t even have to worry about it.

Getting a job is tough work. Why go through the hassle of going online or looking in the paper, then uploading your resume or faxing it to prospective employers? With the advent of the resume distribution service it is now easier than ever before to get your name and your skills out to latterly hundreds, if not thousands of potential employers. Once you find a reliable and affordable resume distribution service you can stop worrying about getting your resume out and focus on getting your suit out and getting ready for the interviews that are sure to follow.

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