Have you performed your due diligence to uncover the knowledge necessary to implement a successful job search strategy? Have you investigated companies, organizations, people, industries, logistical information and market trends to ensure you have acquired the information necessary to succeed in your job search? The responsibility for managing your career is yours and it is unlikely long term success will be attributed simply to waiting for an online job posting. What is online, is a vast amount of information and statistical data to assist in making the decisions that will ensure you are moving in a positive direction along a successful career path.

Are you aware of the statistical data related to the availability of jobs in the city you reside in? Does your job search strategy include a willingness to relocate? According to Labour Statistics there is 1 job posting for every 1 unemployed resident in Washington DC but in Miami there is only 1 job posting for every 4 unemployed residents. Canadian statistics show an increase in the labour market in Ontario and a decrease in Nova Scotia for the month of April.

Are you following industry trends and if so has it impacted your job search strategy? Have you considered transitioning  to a thriving industry from one which has experienced a consistent decline over many years? What are your key transferable skills?

Have you compiled a list of targeted companies based on a variety of criteria including a sound financial history? Do they have a clear and proven mission statement? Are company policies in place for corporate social responsibility initiatives? Do they provide a healthy environment for employees and is positive feedback available from past employees?

As mentioned, resources for information are abundant. Labour statistics are available from government sources and most job sites include market trend information such as Indeed.com, Job Market Competition. Linkedin may be the top professional social media site for individuals but it also includes jobs, company data, groups and shared information including questions and answers. Monster and ExecuNet provide exceptional sites for job seekers but also include extensive professional advice.

If your job search strategy is not resulting in job offers, it may be necessary to obtain the services of an executive career management professional. Career coaching, interview tutoring or a free resume critique could be all that is needed to succeed in your job search.

David Perry has done it again coauthoring with Jay Levinson in Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 3.0.

You’ll find a wealth of information sure to inspire your job search strategy! Contributions from many career industry leaders are represented throughout the book titled, “A War Story” including Martin Buckland, Principal Elite Resumes, Dave Opton, Founder of ExecuNet and Cindy Kraft, CFO-Coach.com, just to name a few.

Are you so concerned about privacy that you’re passing up an opportunity for a job? Is it possible that “privacy” has become such an all consuming issue that it is impairing your judgment? Warnings are everywhere regarding the disclosure of  personal information.  We hear of emails that appear to be from current suppliers requesting account information or the news that you have just won a million dollars from some other country. Yes, it is disturbing to know that fraud is such a prevalent crime, online and off but we know not to disclose credit card or bank account information to unsubstantiated sources or to believe that a stranger wants to give us millions of dollars.

Job seekers have been warned  to beware of generic emails that may appear to be personalized suggesting the perfect job or the promise of finding you your dream job for a fee. It is unfortunate that there are those who will take advantage of the vulnerability of job seekers who have been out of work for an extended period of time but it simply means it is necessary to proceed with due diligence, caution, skepticism and just a little, plain old common sense.

The Internet and specifically social media is a terrific tool for job seekers to obtain referrals and recommendations from reputable sources to ensure credibility and authenticity. Equally so, HR professionals are interested in the same regarding potential candidates. Unless you are a criminal or are not who you say you are, when it comes to privacy in your job search,  get over it! Why would you want to withhold any information from a highly reputed recruiter or organization that could get you the job? No reputable company is going to ask you for your banking information unless you have secured the position and a direct deposit is arranged. Any other information unless you are concerned that it could be of a discriminatory nature should be disclosed without concern. Again, your due diligence in investigating the reputation and referrals of organizations is imperative but common sense must prevail! Leading financial institutions, prominent companies and the top recruiting firms in Canada are bound by strict policies, guidelines and laws which make it highly unlikely that they would use an individuals personal information for illegal purposes. Don’t miss out on a job due to unfounded paranoia!

After reading a number of emails recently regarding concerns about information requested by an employer, I would appreciate any comments that would elaborate, not on what the specific information was that was requested, but what it is that you believe a reputable recruiter or a leading financial institution in Canada might actually do with that personal information. Please refrain from comments which simply say, they shouldn’t ask for it,  it’s an “invasion of my privacy” or it’s the principle!

The next time you have the opportunity to speak, would you win an award for it? Speaking as a leader is critical if you wish to position yourself above the competition to advance in your career. The award or the prize, is the opportunity that could result from a great performance.

A senior executive in career transition may not be speaking in front of thousands of people but like the Stars at the Oscars, relaying a great performance is just as important. Any opportunity to speak, if only an introduction to one individual must be a compelling and seductive presentation to ensure you impress upon the listener your ability as an articulate, confident and professional executive. The flip side is a negative impression or no impression at all which eliminates any potential opportunitites that could have resulted from the interaction.

Be prepared!  Be relevant!  Be enthusiastic! 

An introduction or an elevator speech must clearly articulate who you are, what you are looking for and what you have to offer. Consider your audience to ensure your message is of value to them to create a positive and lasting impression. In a job interview, a chance meeting or a presentation it may not be in your nature to  jump up and down but even a smile can be highly influential. A lack of reaction or passion is usually associated with a lack of interest.   

Practice your performance! Few computers are without a web-cam and most cameras now have the capability to shoot a video so embrace these tools to rehearse your presentation. Will you win an award?

Inspired by a great blog post from Scott Eblin’s Next Level Blog, Six Leadership Do’s and Don’ts From Oscar Night with some great tips on speaking and the speeches that stood out from the rest.

Are you exceeding expectations in order to get the job? Who would you choose to work for you, someone who meets your expectations or someone who exceeds them? Are you investing in the time, effort and creativity necessary to ensure your competive edge as a potential candidate? If you’re not sure, the following questions will help in providing the answers.  

How much time did you invest in preparing your resume? 
Did you actively solicit critiques to ensure your resume was aesthetically pleasing, free of errors and highlighted by quantifiable accomplishments?
Have you prepared an impressive profile page that is hand deliverable?
Do you have your social media profiles established, specifically on Linkedin?
Have you invested in a new business card to promote yourself while in career transition?
Are you actively networking online and off; attending 2-3 networking events per week?
How much research are you doing to target potential employers?
Are your cover letters addressed to key people and contain details representing your knowledge of the company?
How many thank you letters are you sending out?
Have you invested in your personal appearance; presenting a professional image?

For those currently in career transition, most will agree that the job search process is a full time job. The time you invest is a good indication of the impression you will have on a potential employer as a candidate who meets or exceeds their expectations.

It took David Eleyonich many hours to design and compose the following page to accompany his resume in response to an executive position that was available within the golf industry. Do you think David exceeded their expectations?

Contact Elite Resumes for a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

The key to securing your future career in today’s economy is already a common practice for many. But for those of you who may be facing a career transition for the first time in many years this will be a change in your job search strategy that is as significant as the changes we have experienced in our economy.

Although changes in the economy are a part of life, the economic turmoil experienced over the past year has had more of an impact on the future of careers than we have seen in a lifetime. Unemployment rates have reached levels not seen since the Great Depression. Bankruptcies and foreclosures have reached unprecedented levels. Long established industries are floundering, manufacturing opportunities are at record lows and the health care industry is now thriving.

Not as sudden but equally significant in impacting the future of careers are the changes we have seen over time. Less than a generation ago, a 30 year career with one company was not uncommon. Today, it is unheard of and has evolved into an average tenure of 2.3 years! “Job security” has become an obsolete term and an unattainable goal. An executive job search which was expected to take weeks is now expected to take months! The average search today is 10 months. Worldwide use of the Internet at the end of 1995 was 16 million. Today there are 1,669 million Internet users worldwide which is fuelling the growth of social media at a rate far surpassing that of newspapers, radio and television. 

The overall impact on the job market is one of fierce competition. Yesterday’s job search strategies will not help you with your future career. In order to secure your future in today’s highly competitive job market it is imperative that you establish the following:

1. A professional email address, required for the majority of correspondence and mandatory when submitting your resume online. Professional is BarbaraMackie@rogers.com NOT babs@hotmail.com!   
2. A Linkedin profile, which will generate an address that must be included in your contact information on your resume. This will be one of many online profiles required for professional networking and to gain you an online presence necessary as hiring professionals are searching for and validating candidates online.
3. A Personal Brand. Your personal brand must be established and maintained throughout your career. Who are you? Who is it that others see? Are you acknowledged as an expert in your field?  
4. Self Confidence! If you intend to successfully sell yourself to others and stand out from the competition, you must shine with confidence, an attribute even more valuable than knowledge! If you have confidence in yourself, the hiring professional will also feel confident in supporting you as a viable candidate.

A bold and professional presence established through online and offline networking is the most critical component in your job search today and the key to securing your future career.

Contact Elite Resumes for more job search strategies from a Certified Job Search Trainer and Job and Career Transition Coach.

As a member of Career Collective, I’m pleased to provide you with further professional job seach advice from the following members: 

Meg Montford: Job Action Day: Finding Your “MOJO” After Layoff
Debra Wheatman: Plan B from outer space; or what do you have in case your first plan doesn’t work out?
Heather Mundell: Green Jobs – What They Are and How to Find Them
Erin Kennedy: Cutting Edge Job Search Blueprint
Grace Kutney: Securing Your Career While Navigating the Winds of Change
Hannah Morgan: Career Sherpa– Why Our Job Search Advice is the Same but Different
Gayle Howard: The Enlightened Jobseeker
Laurie Berenson: Making lemonade out of lemons: Turn unemployment into entrepreneurship
Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter: You Can Thrive In, Not Just Survive, an Economic Slogging
Rosalind Joffe: It’s Not Just for Boyscouts
Rosa E. Vargas: Are You Evolving Into The In-Demand Professional of Tomorrow?
Dawn Bugni: Your network IS your net worth
Miriam Salpeter: Optimize your job hunt for today’s economy
GL Hoffman: The Life of An Entrepreneur: Is It for You?
Katharine Hansen: : Job Action Day 09: His Resume Savvy Helped New Career Rise from Layoff Ashes
Barvara Safani: Where the Jobs Are: 2009 and Beyond
Heather R. Huhman: Take Action: Ten Steps for Landing an Entry-Level Job
J.T. O’Donnell: Actions that got people jobs in this recession
Chandlee Bryan: Where the Green Jobs Are

There is no better job search advice than that which is provided by those who have successfully landed a job. Their experiences can provide a wealth of knowledge and encouragement for those who are still seeking a new job.

The following advice has been shared after landing a new job:

• Persistence! Persistent follow-up with prospective employers is necessary but don’t expect that it will result in all of the answers you are looking for. 
• Sometimes I found out what happened and sometimes I just never heard from the employer again despite persistent follow-up on my part. Sometimes I received the “thanks but no thanks” email months later. 
• Landed after 7 months, 229 applications and 304 new network contacts!  
• Landed after 10 months of searching as a result of an email from a member of the same networking group.
• Stay positive. With the ups and downs associated with a job search, the best way to stay motivated and not give in to discouragement is to stay positive. Believe in yourself and the value you have to offer.    
• Volunteer. The old adage, “the more you do, the more you can do” will keep up your energy and volunteering will generate new contacts and boost your self esteem. It’s a win win proposition. 
• Build your network – After 7 months of building my network, I was usually connected to someone who knew someone at most companies that I was applying to.
• The process, (job search) was at best an exciting opportunity and at worst, frustrating when it felt like my efforts weren’t paying off. After 5 months of searching I have landed a position.
• Patience! After applying for an online job posting, it took over two months before I was contacted by the potential employer for an interview. It was almost another month before I received a job offer!
• Don’t get discouraged. Before landing my job there were many ups and downs through this process. At least three times I thought I was close and then circumstances changed or a more suitable candidate was chosen.
• Through it all, I learned not to take it personally and to continue to believe that in the next hour or day, I was going to get the phone call or email that would lead to my next success. 
• Taking on speaking roles at networking meetings helped me to become known to a large audience very quickly, increasing my presence and my opportunities. I believe it helped me to land my job quicker. 
• Acceptance – Accepting that you are in transition as soon as possible is the only way you will be able to start doing the things you need to do to move to your next success. It will take time to find the right role for you.
• Thankfully, so many of the positions I applied for or interviewed for fell through, otherwise I would not have ended up with my dream job!

If you are interested in speaking to a Job and Career Transition Coach or Certified Employment Interview Professional or would like information on professional networking opportunities, contact Martin Buckland.

The question is, which online job boards actually have viable job listings? If you are in a job search, you are online. You are building your online profile, establishing your brand and searching online job boards.

Time management is crucial in any endeavour but when it is related to a job search and you are not receiving any income it becomes even more critical. For this reason, it is important that you closely monitor the time spent on online job boards and which ones you choose to visit.

Recognizing that, as a job seeker you are not paying anyone for the opportunity to submit your resume for a potential job is probably key to understanding how online job boards work. The company or organization that is seeking an employee is the client. So it only makes sense that the goal of any online job board, if they are not the client themselves is to provide service and support for their customer. As a job seeker, you are not their customer.

There are companies who establish web sites posting jobs which are solely to attract customers, those that are seeking employees. The idea is to show the quality of candidates that they have the ability to attract. It is strictly a marketing tool and it is possible that the jobs are an embellishment or long expired.

In order to streamline your job search and not waste your time submitting your resume to invalid job postings here are three things to look for:

1. DATE: The date posted on all job postings should be within the last four weeks. If it isn’t, it is likely invalid or has been filled and no one has updated the site to remove it.

2. COMPANY: What is the company name of the “job site”? Google it to find out if it is the main company or just an associated name to establish a marketing tool to attract companies seeking employees.

3. REFERENCE: Have you received a referral or reference from someone who has successfully acquired a job from the online job board?

It is also important to consider the fact that recent studies show the success rate of online job boards is between 3% and 4%. However, networking statistics show success rates of approximately 80%.

Your number one job search tool is a professional resume but if no one sees it, how effective will it be?              

Job Search advice is available from a variety of mediums and many an expert but none seems as valuable or as heartfelt as the advice provided by those after they’ve landed their new job based on lessons learned!  HAPPEN is a leading Canadian Networking organization providing an excellent venue for those seeking employment to share leads, advice and eventually the celebratory events of landing the job!

Sharing experiences and supporting each other through career transition has a tendency to create strong emotional ties and those who land their jobs are unlikely to leave without giving back by sharing their job search, “lessons learned” advice with the utmost of sincerity and hope that they too, will land their next job in the very near future.

Here is some job search advice based on ”lessons learned” offered by those after landing their jobs:  

• Find your passion!
• Never turn down an opportunity and follow every job lead that comes your way.
• Attend HAPPEN meetings and meet lots of great cheerleaders, therapists, career advisers, friends, people who will give you honest feedback, a kick in the pants, a shoulder to lean on.
• Network! Network! Network!
• Never give up! Stay positive! There is something out there for all of us!
• Be open to advice but be true to yourself and your uniqueness.
• Pay it forward, give without thinking, and it will always come back to you!
• Listen to the inner voice that says “YES YOU CAN!” and tell the
  other voice to SHUT UP!!
• Help others in every little way you can.