​You’ve got a great resume. It lists your achievements. It showcases your value.
You’re ready to get that job!

Except, you are not ready.

Most job seekers start first thing this way. They believe if they check that box, all they have to do is start submitting the resume, and the interviews and offers will flow.

Thing is, hiring is not about the resume.

Sure, you need it. It’s a visual representation of your underlying value and can be easily shared by recruiters and read by hiring managers. But the real “meat” of the search comes through your contacts.

Getting a job requires letting the right people know that you are there to solve the company’s problems.  So here are three things you can do in addition to rebooting your resume:

1. Reach out to your friends, especially former colleagues and bosses. Former clients are great, too! Ask them how they are, start a conversation, then ask if they would be willing to chat with you about further connections. Do they know anyone at your target companies? Anyone they think would be a great connection? Always offer to help them in exchange.

2. Make new connections within the target companies. Connect with folks who have the role title you’re seeking. Tell them you are trying to widen your circle and find out how things are going in the industry.

Gradually, you can ask them about how they like working at that company, and if they’ve heard if hiring is gearing back up. Are there any professional organizations they belong to? Maybe you can attend the next meeting. Ultimately, you might find out about the company’s direction and goals, and maybe you will hear about an unadvertised job.  Never forget to thank them! 
 
3. Attend professional events. This can be virtual OR in person. Aim for organizations in your industry. This is where you can find out the most about trends, get additional training (always good for your resume!), and meet hiring managers. Volunteer for a committee! Great way to make new friends.

When you do see an advertised role, you will be ready to let one of your contacts know you’re applying! You might even get connected to the hiring manager through your new professional friend. You might also find out about roles that are not advertised! (Many jobs are not.)
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Your goal here to be seen and known and to gather intel. You simply cannot do that just by submitting a resume! 

Need some help putting together your strategy? Schedule a call with me here.

inkedIn published this alert:

"Small business hiring is now outpacing that at larger companies. Hiring at businesses with fewer than 200 employees ticked up by 0.4% month-over-month in May, while companies with more than 10,000 workers pared back by 40%." 

If you're looking for a job, you might consider looking at smaller shops. There can be advantages: more flexibility, more chance to make a bigger difference. If you have struggled working for large corporations, this could be your ticket!

Here is what you should do right now if this is the path you want to follow:

1. Take a look at your career goals. What is your personal mission? What kinds of project excite you?
2. Research smaller companies and investigate whether their values match your own. 
3. Double back through your resume and LinkedIn profile to ensure you are communicating why you are the ideal candidate to hire. Your research should help you by informing you about what companies are looking for. 

Taking some time to consider these points, regardless of the size of the company you are targeting, will help you focus your message. 

Still have questions? I'm here! Contact me. I am now offering a review of your resume and strategy!

Getting downsized is a shock to the system. Even if you knew the news was coming, it can throw you into a tailspin.  ​Looking for a new job is not super-comfortable, either. It requires research, connections with people you may not have talked to recently, and the finesse to present yourself as The Standout Solution to an employer’s problems.
It takes quite a bit of work.

That’s why it is important to ease into your search with a few steps that can cushion your reentry into the fray.

1. Decompress. It’s tempting to leap into action. While you shouldn’t take a month off (even if you got severance pay), resist. For few days. When you lose a job, you need a grieving period. Give yourself room to feel sad, to process fear, and to work through anger and disappointment. Take some long walks or go for a few bike rides - or allow yourself to lie on the couch and drink tea and just FEEL your feelings. You need a hug. Give one to yourself.  
   
2. Create a workspace for your job search. It could be the dining room table. Maybe it’s a home office space. It could be a table set up somewhere just for this purpose. Whatever your choice, dedicate it to this task. Don’t clutter it with mail or odds-and-ends or laundry. Having a place that’s tidy and organized will help you maintain a calm frame of mind. It also will keep your job search separated from your home life and reduce the stress you may release onto your family.  
   
3. Establish a schedule. When you begin your search, treat it as your workday. One suggestion is to start with a walk or some type of exercise. Still have a health club membership? Use it for a morning workout.  Then decide how many hours each day you will devote to the tasks needed, such as connecting with contacts, researching jobs and companies, creating and submitting materials, and following up on applications. A routine will help you manage the uncertainty you are facing. And reward yourself when you complete a task! (Hopefully not with alcohol.)

 If you just lost your job, or are unhappy with the direction of your current role, reach out to me at ruth@polish-publish.com. Let's set up a time to talk. 

An amazing guy I know - a friend for many years - just GOT HIRED by a great local company to do the work he loves! I have to share, because his job search followed a systematic path that I advocate to job seekers who hire me. It's top-secret! (Okay. No, it's not. But it does take work.)

He incorporated the following:

1. A résumé that showcases his value to the employer
2 A captivating story about his career accomplishments
3. Connections made through friends and colleagues
4. Personal contact with hiring managers
5. Multiple avenues to finding connections, including email! (old-school is new-school!)
6. In-person networking at local events, focusing on his industry
7. A schedule of activities
8. NOT QUITTING

Sound easy? It's easy to grasp. It's just challenging to DO. Consistently. But if you make a plan and stick to it, something's going to happen. Something good. That's why I'm here! Contact me and let's get your plan started. YOU GOT THIS.

I get this question a LOT. It seems that over the past several decades advice on the topic of resume length has varied. I've had clients absolutely insist that they must not exceed three pages. Others jump right in and write a novel 

The truth is that length isn't the issue so much as quality. Your document should be a cohesive and succinct overview of your greatest accomplishments and most valuable skills. It should declare briefly and compellingly what you are known for and how you have demonstrated that in the jobs you've held.

Your resume needs an easy-to-read format. It should contain bullet points, used judiciously. The font should be easy to read. There should be enough white space to ensure it doesn't look cluttered.

It should say enough to communicate your point, without going on too long. 

Keep in mind that you are in control. You can decide what to include and how to phrase it, and where to place the information. The goal is to ensure the reader can instantly see that you fit the company's needs and why. The goal is simply this: To show you as a candidate worthy of an interview.

It's not as complicated as you think. Give me a call and I can give you additional pointers.