So you’ve organized and prioritized your day, and researched top companies to target for your job search. With the help of a friend your resume and cover letter have gone through a major overhaul. You are ready to jump in feet first into the job search.
Right?
Not quite. Here are 6 things you may have forgotten to do.
1) Check your email address. There is nothing worse that an email address that draws more attention to itself than to your resume. Keep it simple, suitable for work, and remove numbers like dates that make it easy for recruiters to assume milestones such as your age or graduation year. A simple email is best: jmerrell@email.com or jessicamerrell@email.com. There are free email services like ymail or Gmail that allow for a professional email that lets your experience shine through.
2) Remove your incoming ring tone. First impressions last forever. An incoming ring tone can set the stage especially if the music contains explicit language or is controversial. If you must have a ring tone, use a neutral song that is G rated or your school’s fight song.
3) Change your voicemail greeting. “Hey, if this is the ladies, leave a message. Everyone else, don’t bother.” I’ve listened to my share of voicemail messages like this one. Not exactly the impression you want to leave your future boss.
4) Leave a professional voicemail message. The recorded voicemail message you leave with a recruiter is also equally important. Be professional, speak slowly and clearly, and prepare your message in advance. Say something like, “Hello. My name is Jessica Merrell. I applied for the Front Desk Manager position. I have five years of experience in the hospitality industry and wanted to make sure you received my resume. Please give me a call at xxx-xxx-xxxx. That’s xxx-xxx-xxxx. Once again my name is Jessica Merrell. I look forward to speaking with you. ”
5) Check your online presence. If 85 percent of recruiters and hiring managers are Googling during the hiring process, it’s important for job seekers to know what recruiters are looking at. Google yourself and make sure that what shows up is appropriate for your future boss to see.
6) Have professional references. I once had a candidate whose professional reference was his youngest son’s mother. Professional references should be just that, professional. Use co-workers, past supervisors or teachers. Ask permission before listing someone as your reference. Screen your references prior to listing them on your resume. Don’t let someone who is ill prepared to answer questions about your past experience keep you from getting an interview or job offer.
The job search is a full-scale marketing campaign and the details matter. Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes to lead with your best foot forward in the job search.
I had my first child in 2002, 3 years later We had our son and 2 1/2 years later our third child. So from the years 2002-2007, I was a stay at home mom and now that my youngest son is 3yrs old and me going thru a divorce I have to work. What recommendations do you have on fillling out an application with a 5yr gap????
There are a lot of people in your shoes – so it’s not an uncommon situation to talk to a potential employer about. Being a mom requires skills and responsibility not unlike those required of a lot of front-line workers. Just be clear and candid about why you were out of work. Leverage your past job experience, too. If you’ve done any volunteer work in the past few years, feel free to include it on your application to fill in the gaps.
Good luck,
Mike
Mandy,
I worked as a job developer and career counselor with a non-profit organization for a number of years. I often came across and worked with people with similar situations are yours. Nonetheless, there is alway a solution to every problem. I have three tips for you.
1. Try not to complete so many applications–instead speak with the hiring manager and the the person know what was the situation for which you did not work those five years. Please don’t go into any issues (divorce) that you may be facing right now. Instead focus on your personal qualities and professional ones (training, workshops, seminars attended, etc).
2. Connect with non-profit organizations and if all possible do some volunteer work. In your comment you don’t say what type of employment you are looking for–sometimes, you can do volunteer work at hospitals, schools and other entities where a job opportunity may be available soon.
3. Start working with your local Workforce Investment Board–sometimes called OneStop, Workforce Connection, etc. It seems every city has its own name for these programs.
And the best tip that I can give you is to stay positive and to reach out to love ones for moral and perhaps financial support until you find something to make a living.
Good luck,
I think you should volunteer and think of all the times you did volunteer in the past. NOW sit down and write down everything you did for that volunteer job. Contact the people you worked with and ask if they will provide you with an reference. Also just because you are hunting for a job does NOT mean you cant volunteer now. There is even on line volunteer gigs. This will help you get your foot back in the working world. Also check for some on line classes that will up date your skills. I know but there are FREE classes out there. Take them. Good luck and let me know how it goes. ~~ Bridget
Great advice, thanks Bridget!
Trying to apply for a job at ASM with whom I am working for at this time. However, the information I am trying to send they are saying is not correct. there is no one to talk to and they are looking for someone in my area . I am qualified to do the job but cannot get thru to them. would be nice to talk to a person sometime. Thank you
Hi Fred, is the job application through Snagajob or the company’s website?
Hi. My name is Nancy Murray. I spoke online last night with a very professional man named Shawn. He gave me some great advice. He told me where Rite Aide was hiring and I live 5 minutes from Bogota, and Hackensack. He suggested with my Customer Service Exp it would add a personal touch to just say hi to the Manager and introduce myself. So I did and I happened to know him. I said I just wanted to say hello and drop off my resume in person and say that I am a very dependable, get along with people, im a team player and I have been a Manager for a Real Estate offiice in Teaneck for many years and then got my license. I said to Chris I dont want to keep you I just really want to get out of the house and I would take anything you might have for me. Hours are not a problem. I have no children just 3 dogs and I just want to feel good and bring business to the store . I also am very good at sales. He told me he got 200 resumes and I said OK Thank you for your time and please think about it and i will be a team player. He then said I will ask my boss and get back to you. I did not say all of this because I do not want to sound desperate. My husband is 70 and retired , Im 44 and just want to help run a store. I truly hope they ask my previous bosses and give me a shot. I will say a prayer. Do you think that was ok. He really enjoyed speaking with me, but like I said I made it short and not overbearing. I WANT IT SO BAD…What will be will be. Tomorrow I am stopping in Bogota. Thank you. Nancy Murray
Hi Nancy, unless the job post says not to follow up, following up is always fair game! Sounds like you used your networking skills and made a great impression. Be careful to keep it short and professional, but it sounds like you’re doing everything right! Good luck
Still looking for a job,have excellent Customer Service(15 years)…Please contact me for any more information….Thank you
Hi Lynn – You will probably not find any employers on this blog. Try our keyword search to find customer service jobs in your area: http://www.snagajob.com/job-search. Good luck!