Career Advice Talk

Back to Job Search

4th January, 2010 - Posted by Robin Ogden -

Wow, 2010…I like the sound of it, but can’t believe that it’s really here!  But it is…and along with it many of you are back to job search.  And for many the feeling of “more of the same” may be hovering over you as the New Year starts.  But since the New Year is a great time to start fresh with so many things, so can it be with your job search.  Leave the past behind and begin anew.

Take stock of what is not working for you in your search and make some decisions on what to change to move yourself forward.  If your resume has not been landing you any interviews, then it is time to “rethink” the content and layout of your resume.  Have some others take a look at your resume and see what suggestions they may have, take advantage of “free” resources to ensure that you are as up to date as possible with today’s resume structure and seek out a career coach to provide you with another outside opinion.  After all, the biggest job your resume has is to get you the interview – and if it’s not doing that then you need to take action.

If you’ve had some interviews but haven’t been passed on for 2nd or 3rd round interviews, or have been politely ‘dissed’ after a phone interview then, it’s time to take action and make changes on your interview strategy.  Are you answering your interview questions with “what’s in it for you?” or are you focusing your answers around what the employer needs so that you are targeting their sweet-spot with your answers?  In other words, when you’re asked why you’re interested in the position are you stating your answer in terms of what “you” want out of the job, or what you will bring to the employer that is something they need?  If it’s the former and you’re focusing on “you” then you’re making a huge interviewing mistake.  It’s time for an interview tune-up!