Fall is officially here, so what better time to reflect and ensure that all your ducks are in a row? This way, you can be sure you’re running your job search in the most efficient way possible. And better yet, it increases your chance of getting an interview!
Update your Resume
Super important! Did you recently change your phone number, address, or email? Imagine the frustration the recruiter will have when they just can’t wait to speak to you on the phone but the number is no longer active. Don’t let it happen to you!
And if you recently moved, this can make a difference. Some resume reviewers are looking at geographical location to see how far of a commute you are from the position. You may have recently moved 5 minutes down the road from the company, but they may still think you’re 45 miles away based on the resume.
And it never hurts to double-check to make sure your most recent position is totally up-to-date. Make sure you have all your responsibilities listed. Maybe you received a promotion since your last resume update? Be sure all that great information gets in there! Also, if your most recent position has already come to an end, go ahead and update the dates for that job. Some recruiters are looking for applicants who are ready ASAP, so they may pass on your resume if it looks like you’re still working.
Job Requirements
This is a tough one because we always want to plant lots of seeds. Sometimes, someone sees potential in our resume even though we don’t technically have all the experience. For best results (and for the sake of your sanity!), try finding a balance with this one. Check out the requirements and see if you have any of them. If you don’t have any of the requirements, you may want to hold off on applying.
The biggest reason really is that you’re going to spin your wheels and waste a lot of your precious time. When applying to all kinds of jobs where you don’t have any of the required experience, the chance of getting return on investment of your time (an interview) is somewhat slim. This job search process is time-consuming. It makes lots of sense to work smarter, not harder. With that said, if you have some of the requirements or there are very clear transferable skills (which you can make even more clear with a brilliant cover letter), then apply!
Have References Ready
If you haven’t done so already, definitely check out our 3-part series on references! But in the meantime, have your references ready before you begin the search process. This often-forgotten part will become very important in the near future.
Written by Adam Lafield, Recruiter & Marketing Specialist
