This is the year you’re going to secure a new job and move up the career ladder. That’s great, but you’re not alone – many executives have been waiting for the market to improve and now are actively readying themselves to make a career change. So it’s critical you take some simple steps to ensure your application stands out from the competition before hitting send.
Today we have tips from Social Hire founder, Tony Restell who has shared 3 simple steps to prepare for a successful job search.
3 steps to maximize the chances of your application turning into an interview
1. Is your Online Profile representing you and your skills?
What does your online profile say about you? Does it match your CV? Is it up-to-date? If not, log onto your profile and make the following changes.
Hiring managers will often look up prospective employees’ online profiles like LinkedIn as soon as they receive an application. Therefore it’s imperative that your online profile is the best representation of you and your career history, otherwise it could undermine an otherwise strong application.
(Editor’s note: On Experteer’s online profiles, unless your Experteer profile is up to date, the Headhunter may simply miss writing to you, because they are usually searching for a specific experience and perhaps even specific keywords)
First things first, does your profile reflect what you have said on your CV? If not, then mixed messages are being sent to your prospective employer or a headhunter.
The first thing an employer will do is read the summary on your online profile so use this as an introduction of what you can do, the skills you possess, your most compelling achievements and some indication of what you may be looking for in the next step of your career.
Next go through your employment history, especially your most recent position, and list your skills and responsibilities, tying it to the requirements for the jobs you will be applying for.
This shows prospective employers that you have experience in a similar role and that you have actively used the skills they are looking for. Also try to incorporate keywords that are important in your industry, so that recruiters searching for candidates to approach direct are more likely to find you.
Another aspect on which you will be judged is your profile photo. There is nothing worse than looking someone up professionally online and seeing a photo that just isn’t business-like – this isn’t Facebook!
A close up of you, on a neutral background, wearing what you would wear in a professional business environment is the best representation of you as a professional.
Lastly, ask past co-workers, employers and people you have done business with to write a short reference for you on LinkedIn. References allow your prospective employer to find out what other professionals think about you, and highlights that you are a good employee based on other people’s opinions. Often more compelling than anything you yourself could write about your candidacy.
Now you can be sure that if you are assessed by a prospective employer based on your online credentials, your profile will represent you in the best possible light.
2. Connect with Headhunters
Once you have cleaned up your online profiles, the next step before you apply for jobs is to connect with headhunters and recruiters in your industry. Every recruiter is online, this is how they find the right talent for their roles, so don’t miss out on this opportunity.
By connecting with headhunters you will get your name in front of them and make it clear to them you are looking for new opportunities in the industry. After discussing your skill-set and requirements, they will then start putting your CV forward for suitable roles, saving you a great deal of time and opening doors that you may not have been able to open on your own.
Typically they have great connections with some of the top employers in their industry, helping you to land interviews for roles that may not even be being advertised yet.
To find relevant recruiter contacts, search for recruitment agencies with a good reputation in your industry. Once you have short-listed the most attractive recruitment agencies, go to the ‘meet the team’ section of their website or employees link on professional networks even on social media.
It would definitely be worthwhile sending them a personalized message when you connect, explaining who you are, what you do and that you are now on the market and happy to consider new opportunities.
Once you connect with a few recruiters, more will appear in the ‘people you may know’ section on LinkedIn. You can also check the “People also viewed” section for suggestions of recruiters who may have a similar focus to the ones you have already connected with.
Before you know it you have created a network of headhunters who will work hard to find you your next role. (Editor’s Note: If you are specifically looking for finding headhunters especially the ones that are working for senior management positions, it’s good to join Experteer’s online network)
3. Tailor your CV
Now you’re nearly done; your online profile is looking great and you have established some great connections with headhunters. There’s just one more task before you submit an application – tailoring your CV!
Your CV / Resume may be up-to-date; all your skills, experience and responsibilities are listed. But don’t forget the key factor – tailoring your CV! It is very important that your skills and experience match what has been listed in the job description which you are applying for.
This is probably the most important part of your application because it clearly shows the employer that you match their requirement perfectly. Remember, your CV is the first impression an employer will have about you so make sure it’s a good one.
Bear in mind, a recruiter may have received 100s of applications for their opening; so you have seconds rather than minutes to stand out from the crowd. The right approach then is to go through your CV and the job description with a fine tooth comb and ensure the two match. This is how you ensure you turn your application into an interview.
I hope these ideas prove fruitful. Follow these simple three steps and you stand to hear back from many more employers and land that career move you aspire to in 2015!
About Tony Restell and Social-Hire:
Tony Restell is the Founder of Social-Hire.com and helps candidates and recruiters leverage social media. Having spent the last 15 years serving the recruitment industry, Tony is a frequent guest speaker on the ever-changing jobs market and how both candidates and recruiters must adapt in order to thrive. A published author and Cambridge graduate, you’re welcome to reach out to Tony on @tonyrestell
