Job Search Tips, Strategies & Insider Secrets

The internet has changed a lot about our world including how we look for jobs. Gone are the days of simply being able to rely on traditional job search methods to find opportunities.

If you’re one of the 13.9 million people looking for work, you must go beyond submitting your resume, here’s why.


•  Resume Volume - On average, companies receive 100’s or more resumes for every job posting. These candidates are competing for the same job and have a similar if not better skillset than you have. That said, you can imagine how easy it is to get lost in the resume shuffle.


•  Resume Screening – Ever wonder where your resume goes once you submit it online? If you’re thinking it goes straight to the hiring manager’s email, think again. Each time you submit a resume online, chances are high that it will sit inside the company’s applicant tracking system (think database) until you are either screened in or screened out.

Most applicant tracking systems have what’s called a resume-scoring engine. This engine basically compares your resume to the job description, looking for keyword matches between words used in the job description and words used in your resume and returns a score between 0 and 10.

i.e. If the company is looking for an online marketing manager that has experience working with global brands and holds an MBA don’t expect your resume to score well if you’ve never held a marketing manager role, don’t have global experience and don’t have an MBA.

Job Search Tips

If you're a job seeker and are reading this blog post, you already have a competitive edge as most don’t realize what’s happening behind the scenes with their resumes. So instead of being frustrated with your job search and feeling bad about not getting an interview for that marketing manager job you thought you were more than qualified for use this information to your advantage and start kicking serious butt!

• Customized Your Resume – You never want to rely on one standard resume. Especially now that you understand how resume screening works. Customize your resume and cover letter to fit the position you're applying for. Use the job description as your guide. You certainly don't want to lie just to make your resume more relevant but, where applicable mimic the buzzwords used.

• Referrals – According to the 2010 career crossroads source of hire report referrals are the number one source of external hires. Who do you know? Who do your contacts know? Your best shot at having real eyeballs view your resume is by being referred. If you don’t have an “in” to the company, be creative and get one.


• Create a LinkedIn Profile – Many employers, recruiters and HR professionals use LinkedIn as their go-to resource for more information about a candidate. Without a profile, you’re missing out on a critical opportunity to showcase your experience.


• What Does Google Say About You? – It’s a fact, employers Google candidates, so make sure what they find is presenting you in the best light. You have to start thinking of yourself as a brand and use the internet to promote yourself. Creating a personal brand is something that takes time but you can start by ensuring you have SEO-optimized profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Secondly, consider starting a blog and buying your personal domain name.

Do you have job search tips that you'd like to share? Help get people back to work and post them below.

"He or she who gets hired is not necessarily the one who can do that job best; but, the one who knows the most about how to get hired" – Richard Lathrop