Job Search Tools

"What you need to have handy when you're looking for a new job." 

Resume

    A good resume is the first and best tool for the job seeker. It is also the first thing the job seeker needs to work on. Actually, this document should be up to date all the time, even while you still have a paying job. Most people don't have their resume up to date the day they get notified they are being laid off. If you need to, get the old resume out and update it with your most recent experience situations.
    Unless you have special circumstances you'll want to use a chronological resume with a career summary statement, highlighted experience/accomplishments and work history. At the end of the resume your education and special training.
    There are dozens of books out there with suggestions for better resumes, specific formats, choice of paper and fonts. Regardless of what you read... you need to realize that your resume is your marketing material to help you get an interview. Note: your resume isn't a silver bullet. It will not get you the job! It is a tool to be used to get interviews and a device to be used to introduce your skills, abilities and experience in networking meetings.

Handbill
    A handbill is another networking tool. Sometimes called a "mini-resume" it is used in networking situations at networking or job search clubs or meetings. Like a resume they are meant to be given to people so they will
remember you. You can be creative in how you present your info but don't get crazy. There are three parts to the handbill:

• contact info: Name, phone number(s) and email address 
• history of your experience, skills and abilities: Past employers and accomplishments in brief 
• list of target companies: Companies that are hiring or that you would like to work for
  

See link for an example handbill or a link for a template.

Business Cards
    Another essential tool is a business card. Some people put a mini resume on the back of the card. I feel the KISS rule is essential. (Keep it Simple, Seeker) Your contact info and a good tag line are best with room on the back for people to jot notes about you. You can get business cards for the cost of shipping at: www.Vistaprint.com

Elevator Speech
    Everyone talks about having an elevator speech. The idea is to have something prepared to say that doesn't sound prepared which you could say to someone you meet while going up an elevator.  The point is to make it quick and memorable and not to hope you're riding to the top of the Sears (oops, Willis) Tower. A good
elevator will communicate to the listener what you could do for them or their company. Sample Elevator Speech

   Creating these tools will also prepare you for the work of job search. Namely networking! I heard a clever mnemonic the other day, "If you're not networking, you're not working." These are the tools and like all tools the user needs to practice and work with them to be comfortable using them. Get going and make it happen.

Social Media Especially LinkedIn


  Click on "Why LinkedIn Works"