Tips and tools on how to advance your career

What makes you the candidate/ employee of choice? How are you progressing in your career? How are you leveraging your strengths as a professional communicator? Find out how to manage your career and get the inside edge on your professional development.

Read below for tips and insights on job searches, the changing job market and views from the recruiter's desk.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR JOB SEEKERS IN 2007

1. No one cares more about your career than you.

 
2. Be the best you can be within your profession. Since the competition for jobs is so fierce, candidates need to demonstrate how they can add value to an organization. What are your key selling points to distinguish yourself from the competition?

 
3. Brand yourself. What do you stand for? Are you marketing yourself? This is the time to be public in your search. Are you creating demand for your services?

 
4. Network constantly and consistently. You can never have enough friends or colleagues who advocate on your behalf. This is a career-long process.

 
5. Develop an ongoing relationship with your recruiter. Being in the database isn't enough. Does your background match his/her specialties? Your goal is to become the “candidate of choice” for that hidden job opening.

 
6. Companies are increasingly using freelancers. As such, candidates need to be more entrepreneurial, whether they are self-employed or work for an agency or corporation. Are you on the short list of talent for hire? Are your samples available electronically? Do you have a website? Blog?

 
7. Form a "consortium" with other professionals who have complementary skills, and offer services to clients.

 
8. Embrace change. You don't want to be left behind. Keep your technology skills up to date. Are you familiar with RSS feeds?

 
9. Prepare for a changing and improving job market. There is now a gap of talent in the pipeline. As hiring picks up again, companies find that they lack staff to do the hands-on work and need to search for outside help. Companies also need leadership talent to take their businesses to the next level in sales, innovation, new product development and staff development.

 
10. Look for trends where there are or will be increased hiring needs—i.e., growth industries: health care, education, not for profit, pharmaceuticals, homeland security, services to the elderly. Even technology is making a comeback.

 
11. Your resume is your marketing document. Does it reflect your accomplishments? What is your tag line? Does your summary statement capture your “essence”?

 
12. Sharpen your interviewing skills. Why should a company hire you? Practice in front of the mirror. It works!

 
13. You can expect to hold five to seven different jobs in your lifetime. What are you doing to prepare yourself?

 
14. Candidates tend to over-rely on the internet. They submit resumes electronically but never call to follow up. They don’t include cover letters. Recruiters get thousands of emails. Why should he or she open your document? A candidate who calls to follow up on a resume submission will probably get the recruiter’s attention. This philosophy is not shared by all recruiters, although it is favored by LH&A.

 
15. Likewise, candidates whose backgrounds don't match the client’s needs won't get much attention. Please pay attention to the job specs and respond accordingly.

 

2008. Lynn Hazan & Associates. All rights reserved

Expert Job Advice From Lynn Hazan

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