To immediately support your efforts to strategically customize your resume, the following resource can be employed to quickly align your resume with the target employer's specifications: Resume Optimization by Jobscan. Both now and for future job searches, I encourage you to tailor your resume to each position you are targeting using the checklist below:

¨ Review the job description to examine employer requirements, essential job functions, and cultural cues (supplemental research topics may include the company and/or industry).
¨ Decide how you are going to sell yourself – what are they really looking for?
¨ Look at the job posting of interest and highlight key words and phrases; use TagCloud.com if needed.
¨ Tailor the "Job Title" to match the title of the job posting (if appropriate).
¨ Tailor the "Qualifications Summary" section by weaving in the highlighted key phrases into this small paragraph – but be sure not to make this section too long.
¨ Tailor the "Skill Set" by adding in field and industry-related “buzz words” as well as the key words from the job posting of interest.
¨ Review the entire resume to see if there are other skills, responsibilities, or achievements that should be highlighted, prioritized, or emphasized based on the employer requirements and essential job functions.
¨ As an extra level of review, you can copy and paste your new resume into TagCloud.com to see if the resume’s keyword cloud matches that of the job description.
 
Before you apply to an applicant tracking system (ATS) via job board, search engine, or company career page, take a moment to customize your resume towards a specific job target. To learn more about the above process, please schedule a complementary discovery session with one of our certified career development practitioners or transition specialists. You may also visit the Help Center, call 866.827.7302, email us, or use the "Feedback & Support" link located on bottom right side of the page. We also invite you to continue the conversation by sharing your suggestions for advancing in the selection process by adding a comment below.

​Our team of experts has scoured the web, identifying 5 articles we believe will strategically position our readers for accelerated career progression. Here is a roundup of the week’s hidden gems we’ve surfaced to support you in managing your career.

Feel free to reach out to schedule a complementary discovery session with one of our certified transition specialists or you may also visit the Help Center, call 866.827.7302, email us, or use the "Feedback & Support" link located on bottom right side of the page. Enjoy!

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Which of these articles did you find most informative? What else would you suggest to supplement a strategic job search? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.

The people you know can be the best way for you to find your next job. The “tried and true” path of networking is still the most successful way to find your next position.
 
According to a 2012 survey by Right Management, person-to-person networking is the single most effective way to find a new job, with 46% of jobseekers identifying networking as the reason they found their most recent job.
 
Research consistently identifies networking as an important job search tool — anywhere from 40-80% of job placements are attributed to networking. Networking can also be a way to identify unadvertised job opportunities — accessing the “hidden job market.” (The “hidden job market” refers to jobs that are not advertised publicly. These positions may be filled through employee referrals, recruiters, or direct contact with hiring managers through networking.)
 
It happens all the time. Someone in your network says, “You know what? You should talk to John Jones at the XYZ Company. They’re hiring.”
 
This overview will help you identify who is in your network and how to use these connections to find your next job.

Build Your Network Before You Need It
The single biggest mistake most job searchers make is not asking for help from their network. People want to help you — so let them! But don’t wait until you’re out of work to start developing relationships with your network.
 
As author Harvey Mackey says, “Dig your well before you’re thirsty.” Develop your contacts, be willing to help these folks with their needs, and they will be there when you need them!
 
The more people who know you are looking for a job, the more eyes and ears that will be available to help. Networking is about getting the people you already know to help connect you to the people who will help you land your next career opportunity.
 
You can also tap into your network for specific assistance. For example, if you want to work at a particular company, ask people in your network if they know anyone who currently works for — or used to work for — “Company X.” Then contact that person and ask about the company, culture, and hiring practices.
 
Who Is Your Network?
The first step is to identify who is in your network. This can include: friends, relatives, parents of children’s friends, parents and relatives of your friends, club members, cousins, neighbors, current and previous co-workers and managers, suppliers, professional association contacts, your community contacts (civic leaders, clergy, etc.), and your doctor, financial advisor, or attorney. Your holiday card list, if you have one, can be a good starting point for identifying who is already in your network.
 
If you don’t already have a list, start one! Make a list of all of your contacts — past employers, vendors, customers, colleagues, competitors, bankers, and others. You never know who may have a great lead or know of an unadvertised opportunity.
 
Then, expand that list. Here are some ideas for other people to add to your network.
 
Personal Contacts:
•     Friends
•     Relatives
•     Parents of children’s friends
•     Parents of your friends
•     Relatives of friends
•     Club members (country club, swim club, sports club)
•     Associations
•     Military service personnel
•     Sorority/fraternity
•     Cousins
•     Neighbors
•     Sports team members
 
Business Contacts:
•     Current co-workers
•     Previous co-workers
•     Previous managers
•     Consultants
•     Vendors and suppliers
•     Retirees
•     Seminar, conference, and workshop attendees
•     Business owners
•     Competitors
•     Clients/customers
•     Venture capitalists
•     Members of industry associations
•     Contacts you make at conventions and job fairs
 
Third-Party Contacts:
•     Accountants
•     Doctors
•     Real estate brokers
•     Financial advisors and bankers
•     Attorneys
•     Dentists
•     Mortgage bankers/brokers
•     Insurance agents
•     Travel agents
 
Educational Contacts:
•     Elementary, middle, and high school friends and teachers
•     College classmates and friends
•     Alumni association contacts
•     Graduate school classmates
•     Other alumni of your schools
•     University career-placement office staff
•     Former professors and advisors
 
Community Contacts:
•     Civic and political leaders
•     Librarians
•     Clergy/ministers
•     Chambers of Commerce
•     Community groups (Kiwanis, Rotary, Scouts)
•     People you meet while volunteering
•     Health club members

We are here to help - schedule a complementary discovery session with one of our certified career development practitioners or transition specialists. You may also visit the Help Center, call 866.827.7302, email us, or use the "Feedback & Support" link located on bottom right side of the page. We also invite you to continue the conversation by sharing your suggestions for advancing in the selection process by adding a comment below.

​Our team of experts has scoured the web, identifying 5 articles we believe will strategically position our readers for accelerated career progression. Here is a roundup of the week’s hidden gems we’ve surfaced to support you in managing your career.

Feel free to reach out to schedule a complementary discovery session with one of our certified transition specialists or you may also visit the Help Center, call 866.827.7302, email us, or use the "Feedback & Support" link located on bottom right side of the page. Enjoy!

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Which of these articles did you find most informative? What else would you suggest to supplement a strategic job search? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.