About Wake Up to a Job You Love © - the online, self-study version of my career coaching program: I've been diligently working on it, and hope to launch it  mid-October or November. Please scroll down for details and for an article archive, introducing the content of this program.  

Is your job search stuck and your career stalled, regardless of how hard you try? Consider scheduling a private Career Action Planning (C.A.P.) Session with me. We'll get to the root of your career problem and on the road to landing your dream job in record time! Please read the testimonial of one client who landed soon after his C.A.P. Session; and another I wrote about in the March 2013 issue, who had a C.A.P. Session last October and landed last December!   

In June, I wrote about to get your resume found in an applicant tracking system (ATS). In that article, I provided two resources: 1) Formatting a Resume for ATS Compliance; 2) a link to the Preptel Resumeter along with a  screenshot companion guide to help you experience how an ATS works, so you can accurately customize your resume for specific job postings. 

I am sorry to report that Preptel Resumeter has shut down this service in August 31, due to funding issues: you may have already discovered that, if you attempted to log into your account.

With that being said, I deleted the Preptel information from my blog post. Otherwise, the remaining content in my post about Applicant Tracking Systems and Formatting a Resume for ATS Compliance is still very relevant. If I hear about other ATS-mimicking resources, I'll share them as they become available.   

 

Throughout my recruiting career, I have been observing and experiencing a paradigm shift in the way that most recruiters and job-seeking candidates find each other. Thanks to voicemail, electronic switchboards, virtual offices, etc., it has become increasingly challenging to speak directly with people. Thus, the Internet has evolved into the most effective and widely-used communication tool for recruiters and candidates alike.   

Recruiters typically find candidates online by posting their assignments on job boards to attract candidates, and searching directly for qualified candidates using common or complex search engines, depending on the type of candidate sought. To improve your chances of connecting with a recruiter, follow these guidelines before posting your resume: 

1) Tailor your resume to match the skill sets and qualifications stated by the job posting. Be sure to include the appropriate keywords, phrases and other words that will attract the employer and the recruiter. For example, if you're an executive assistant and the job posting asks for MS Office skills, then MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., should be listed on your resume. 

2) Don't use overly descriptive or elaborate language in your resume - and don't attempt to inflate your job description.There's no shame in being a sales associate, administrative assistant, product manager, mechanical engineer, or software support technician.

3) Be sure your contact information is up-to-date and accurate. Nothing irritates a recruiter more than finding a qualified candidate with a disconnected phone number, an email address that bounces back, or a phone that just rings with no voicemail or answering machine, or a voicemail box that is full or not functioning.

4) Update all of your job board postings (and contact information) on a monthly basis. On many sites, this is a free and easy way to maintain top positioning.
 
5) Keep in mind that recruiters want achievers and employers want contributors. We don't need to see your job description; we need to see how well you did your job! For example, if you're in sales, we're interested in your sales performance, not merely what you sold and to whom.
 
6) Create a complete profile on LinkedIn. Recruiters actively use this site to search for qualified candidates. The more complete your profile, the more attractive it will be to recruiters.

So, what should you do when a recruiter contacts you? First, do not feel obligated to submit a formal resume immediately. Second, be absolutely certain you are comfortable with the recruiter, and you understand the assignment being discussed. Most importantly, make it abundantly clear that you are allowing the recruiter to share your credentials for the specific assignment only - not for the recruiter to blast your resume throughout the country. 

Third, never lie about whether or not you have a college degree. A recent candidate of mine learned this lesson the hard way. Background checks are the norm, and degrees are among the easiest items to validate. It cost this young man a terrific job: the irony is that the degree was not required, but truthfulness always is!  

Despite the high traffic of job boards, employers are continually investing thousands of dollars in manpower and technology to more accurately monitor responses to job postings and accelerate their search for qualified candidates. As the economy continues to spring back, so will employers and recruiters' search for candidates online...so be ready! 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the author: Charles "Chick" Simonds is a recruiter and outplacement consultant with Simonds & Associates. He specializes in assignments for sales and marketing professionals. Prior to recruiting, he enjoyed a successful career in senior sales management for several divisions of Bell & Howell. Formerly a resident of Illinois, he now lives and works in Hilton Head, SC. He can be contacted via email at simonds10@comcast.net or by phone at 843-715-8086- he will always call you back!  

Wake Up to a Job You Love © Home Study System  (Beta) Coming Soon!  / Archive of Article Series

I've been planning a "beta launch" of this self-study system of my career coaching program. It's based on the core content and tools I use with my private clients, to help them build a solid, laser-focused plan to land a job they love which is fun, fulfilling and financially rewarding. This system is perfect for you, whether you're unemployed and struggling to land, or unhappy with your current job or employer and you don't know which way to turn.  

I've decided to postpone program until Fall 2013. It will be priced at an introductory "Charter Member" rate of $147.00. 

Depending on how many people enroll, I may host monthly Q & A group calls and create a private Facebook group for participants to post questions and interact with each other. I am planning to offer some special bonuses for the first 10 people who sign up.

There will be a special sales page created for this program and you'll be notified when it's ready. Until then, here's a description of it on my website: 

If you have any questions, please email me joellyn@career-success-coach.com; and I will be personally reaching out to those of you who have already expressed interest. 

Here's the article archive, introducing the content of this program: 

 #1: Know Your Top Transferable Skills Sets, Then Plan Your Career Transition

#2: Build Your Confidence and Career Marketing Content

#3:  Discover Your Perfect Career Path Through Your Hardwired Preferences 

#4: How to Choose Ideal Work that Fits Your Personality 

#5: The Six Dimensions of Career Clarity

#6: Where Do You Want to Work? Make A List of Target Employers

#7: Which Workplace Culture is Ideal for You? Let Your Workplace Values Be Your Guide 

Career Action Planning (C.A.P.) Session 

• Do you work hard on your job search but seem to get nowhere fast?
• Are you burned out with your job, but don't know what other work might satisfy you?  
• Do you have trouble understanding how your transferable skills can be used in other professions?
• Do you apply for jobs online, only to get "thanks but no thanks" responses?
• Does it seem like your network can't help you with your job search the way you'd like?
• Do you get interviews--- but no offers?   

Is it time to take a risk -- a giant step forward -- to end the pain once and for all? You may surprised: the problem might not be what you think and simpler to overcome than you thought possible.

Regardless of the issues you face or what you may be frustrated or confused about, I can provide the clarity, creative thinking, objectivity, and perspective you need to get your career and job search moving in the right direction.  

Let's get started with a Career Action Planning (C.A.P.) Session to help you figure out what's working, what needs attention, and what the next steps are to land the job of your dreams!  

Skeptical? Here's what one client said about his experience. He got hired five months after his C.A.P. Session!