Article

Resumes and Cover Letters: Job Search Techniques

By: Lisa Chapman, Certified Professional Resume Writer and Authorized Behavioral Strategist

Once you have your resume ready the real work begins. It truly is a full time job finding a job! As I tell all of my clients, you must take a multi-prong approach when conducting a job search. Some ideas include:

• Posting your resume to internet job sites
• Networking
• Emailing your resume to recruiters specializing in hiring people such as yourself
• Networking
• Networking

Networking – If you hadn’t noticed, networking was mentioned quite a lot because it is so important to your job search. You really need to start rubbing elbows. The very best way to find new job opportunities is by networking with people you already know. While it’s never appropriate to actually ask your friends or former colleagues for a job, it is quite acceptable to let these people know you are searching for new career challenges. This often times generates contact information used for resume submittal purposes.

Job Sites – In 2007 almost everyone has their resume posted on either monster.com or careerbuilder.com. Of course you want to post your resume on these two giant job sites, but have you ever thought that you might get more attention if you posted your resume on niche job sites? If you specialize in marketing, find niche job sites that specialize in marketing. If you specialize in accounting, find niche job sites that specialize in accounting. While there isn’t as much traffic on these sites you are a bigger fish in a smaller pond and the success rates substantially increase using these niche sites. So, take the time or hire a service to post your resume to the top sites as well as niche sites to increase your visibility.

Recruiters – It’s very difficult to let your fingers do the walking in the yellow pages when you want to find recruiters who specialize in your specific field of expertise. While there are many services out there who will email your resume to recruiters, locate a service who will email your resume to recruiters who specialize in your specific field, provide you with a contact report for follow up purposes, and will ensure that resume is “recruiter ready”. While this specialized service is more expensive then a resume blast to any kind of recruiter, the return on investment is greater.

Company Campaigns – If you are interested in working for specific companies, make sure you take the time to mail your resume to the person you would like to report to within those companies. If you can locate an email address, email your resume to that person as well. As the old saying goes, “the squeaky wheel gets the oil.”

It is my hope that this information assists you in making great decisions relative to job searching techniques. If you would like more information about Chapman Services Group, LLC, please call our offices toll free at 866.687.9700 or email us at and a certified professional resume writer will assist you.