Be the Ultimate Prescription to the Company’s Job Description

Many people want the resume dead – or they at least want to hold a funeral for it. It’s very sexy to proclaim the resume’s demise, bringing significant street cred.

The resume is still an essential part of your job search. The job description still tells you where to send or upload it. It’s a stimulant for conversations at every level.

But the rest is up to you. Resumes still matter, but they are no longer your primary tool for the job search. They only jump-start the process. A resume alone does not give cause for an employer to call you. Recruiters and hiring managers will Google you first for more information – which is all the more reason for you to make sure Google points to your best profiles and work.

And get this: You can start your job search without a perfect resume. Your resume is not a magic potion. Those who obsess over tweaking it are overthinking it and its value.

What job search tactics provide additional value than a resume alone?

Here are 10:

1. Build a Personal Brand That Has Global Appeal

Your skills can be taught – in the classroom, online, or through coaching. However, no one can learn your personality. Your life experiences, trials, victories, and outlook are unique. Once you understand how your skills and personality mesh to make a viable marketing unit, then you can confidently conquer what’s yours.

2. Know Your Market Value

Negotiation is a constant fact of the job hunt, and everything is about your total compensation package. Think about your investment of time, travel to learn your skills, the value of the opportunity, and the process of perfecting your craft, and then research.

There are many tools, articles, and books to help you determine your salary and market value.

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Read: Why Your Career Needs CPR

3. Keep Lifestyle and Values in Mind

Consider options like remote work. Stop treating life as it were the obstacle to your ideal career. The happiest people wrap their careers around what matters to them most. Recognize the nuances of your lifestyle; they will show you how to shape your career around life’s challenges.

4. Deliver Content Where It Is Needed and Wanted

Too many job seekers move from job to job. If you want to take control of your career, you must create quality opportunities by providing content. The more recruiters and employers know about you, the more likely they will contact you about open roles. Providing content lets you control the conversation by focusing on your strengths and expertise.

5. Make Sure You Deliver Content Through the Right Channels

How you deliver content matters. You want to be top of mind. Consider posting on a personal website or via LinkedIn Pulse. You could even offer instructional videos on YouTube, Instagram, or Snapchat. Podcasts also provide raw, informative, and personable content to create engagement and visibility.

How you deliver content depends on where decision-makers in your industry are active. Use the channels they use.

Listen to Personal Branding, Social Proof, and YouTern

6. Service Is the New Networking

You will be memorable when you offer genuine help to your network and meet people’s needs as best you can. The hardest part is doing that without expecting anything in return.

Remember that the people you are helping aren’t the only ones who benefit.

Consider depositing goodness in the bank of karma as a viable and long-term career strategy.

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7. Be Smart About Personal SEO

It is critical to be found on Google. One day, it will be essential to be known by AI if you want your work to be seen. Your social presence should trigger interest and intrigue in employers. You can use tools such as Google Alerts, Talkwalker, and Google Analytics (if you have a website) to tell who shares or links to your content. You can monitor your reputation and credibility to ensure your mentions are positive. If there were negative narratives about you (barring any crimes committed or unethical actions), positive things others say push down the negative.

8. Be the Prescription to the Company’s Job Description

Job seekers with a “remedy” mindset know the industry challenges at large and the particular difficulties of potential employers.

Engaging your network, industry news, and professional organizations create growth.

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Let remedies and solutions dominate your social presence. It will make it easy to identify and stand out to anyone interested in working with you.

Listen to 6 Hazardous Roads to an Unsuccessful Job Search

9. Set Up an Online Location to Serve as an ‘Epilogue’ to Your Resume

I am all for using LinkedIn for content creation, but the optimal place I recommend is a blog. LinkedIn could go away, taking your content with it. A blog is where you ultimately control what people see and how much they see.

10. Persuade Through Social Proof

Networking and researching are essential when preparing your career documents and for interviews. Before almost any interaction today, both parties will use Google and forms of social proof to check the authenticity of the other party. You will be searched by someone you’re meeting for coffee or an interview. Do you think they take your word when you say you’re a “guru”?

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More and more, the Web is your resume. Your internet presence should expand on the skills and capabilities listed in your resume. The less employers see your work and know about you, the more you’re liable. It’s better to craft your social profiles to tell a career story so employers and recruiters will want to know more.

This article was originally published on Recruiter.com

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

8 More Ways to Stay Sharp During Unemployment

I am following up on my article from last week on staying sharp during extended unemployment. Staying sharp is strategic and intentional if you consider job competition to appear insurmountable. Much of it is due to the conundrum employers are in when thousands of applicants are posted per position.

Easy apply buttons on job sites, in addition to job seekers mass applying to jobs, slows the process down with minutia. Not to mention, many jobs are posted by companies with no intention of filling the position. It is an understatement to say many job seekers are losing faith in finding a job or even the right one.

I’ve come away with two words for job seekers to remain competitive in this job market:

Sharp.
Adaptable.

While the previous article provided tips on keeping your mind active and engaged, there are additional strategies you can implement to enhance your skills and stay relevant in your industry. I’ll explore more ways to present a sharpness and preparedness to impress employers and for more opportunities to come your way.

1. Join Professional Groups or Associations

Engaging with professional groups or associations in your field can be incredibly beneficial, regardless of age or industry experience. These organizations often host workshops, seminars, and networking events that allow you to learn from industry leaders and peers. Participating in these communities expands your knowledge and enhances your network, helping you stay informed about industry trends and job opportunities. It’s an investment and, many times, a tax-deductible one. If you can’t, there may be little to no barrier to entry to join LinkedIn groups.

2. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Practicing mindfulness can significantly improve your focus and cognitive abilities in a world of distractions. Mindfulness exercises and meditation can help you clear your mind, reduce stress, and improve decision-making skills. A few minutes daily can improve mental clarity and performance in high-pressure situations, such as interviews and presentations. Schedule this time so it becomes a daily priority. Your state of mind is vital to job search success.

3. Volunteer for Projects or Causes

Volunteering your time and skills helps others and allows you to learn and grow. Could you consider offering your expertise for community-based projects or organizations? Hands-on experience will allow you to apply what you know, expand your skill set, and connect with like-minded individuals while contributing to a good cause. You’ll find it rewarding if you align your volunteer work with your career goals.

4. Set Personal Development Goals

Establishing personal development goals can provide you with a framework for continuous improvement. Whether acquiring a new language, mastering a software tool, or improving your public speaking, setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals will keep you motivated and focused. Tracking your progress can also offer a sense of accomplishment and momentum as you work towards these objectives.

5. Attend Conferences and Industry Events

Conferences are invaluable for those looking to expand their knowledge and network. Attending industry events offers the chance to learn about cutting-edge developments, meet influencers, and exchange ideas. Make it a point to ask questions, engage in discussions, and follow up with individuals you meet, which can lead to lasting professional relationships.

6. Create and Share Content

Sharing your knowledge through writing articles, blogging, or creating videos can solidify your expertise in your field. As you create content, you reinforce your understanding and position yourself as a thought leader. Engaging with your audience through social media platforms can further expand your reach and create opportunities for collaboration.

7. Embrace Lifelong Learning

Cultivating a mindset of lifelong learning is fundamental to staying sharp. The professional skills and knowledge landscape is ever-changing, so remaining curious and open to learning is key. Use Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and edX to access thousands of courses across various fields. You can find organizations like Harvard, MIT, Google, and others with generous offers for free courses. Continuous education allows you to adapt and thrive amidst changes in your industry.

8. Utilize Technology to Your Advantage

With technological advancements, numerous tools are available to enhance productivity and efficiency. Explore apps that facilitate organization, time management, and project tracking. Additionally, familiarize yourself with industry-specific technologies to help you stand out in job interviews or networking.

Staying sharp and engaged is an ongoing process that requires intention and effort. Incorporating these strategies into your routine can elevate your skills and mindset, making you a competitive candidate in any job market. Remember, the effort you put into sharpening your mind today will pay dividends in future opportunities. Stay proactive, embrace challenges, and continue on the path to personal and professional growth.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

8 Ways to Sharpen Your Mind During Unemployment

You’re dull if your mind is not sharp for job interviews and meeting important people. There is no excuse.

Many people go to the job interview unprepared, and others are just not ready to respond directly to areas of competency. I’ve seen it happen too often. Long-term unemployment can make you dull. So can lots of free time. You don’t need to drag a dragging mind to an interview or meet someone who can introduce you to key people.

Here are suggestions to keep your mind active and engaged:

1. Read articles, blogs, and tweets related to your industry

If you do not target a career and are just looking for a job, you are missing an opportunity to expand your perspective, know the latest technology, and engage in industry-related hot topics.

2. Read books, I mean the 200-400 pages or more books!

We become pretty dull keeping up with the latest television show or catching up on seasons missed of our favorite show. It’s an excellent time to read 200-400-page books that go into depth. You choose the subject, but read something you can implement immediately and often.

3. Hit the Gym/Catch up on health-related appointments/Take care of health

Improving your health will constantly shift your mind and heart. Memory retention and cognitive reasoning. More importantly, stay healthy for the right reasons. If you are unemployed and extra income opportunities are sparse, then it is best to take care of yourself first.

4. Update certifications and computer skills

There is no excuse for failing to find courses (even college level) to take (wait for it, wait for it) for free. MIT and Cambridge are just two universities offering free college courses. If you look around enough, city and community colleges offer evening classes worth $70 for introductions to new skills. But for industry-related skills, you’ll need much more. Research how vital they are within the industry before spending the money. Go as far as thinking critically about getting the credentials. If you’re following others in the field, they are your best resource.

5. Iron sharpens iron relationship

It helps when there is a professional relationship that will help you become sharper, more innovative, stronger, and better all the way around. Partner with someone you consider to be on the same professional track, and help each other with your goals and aspirations.

6. Networking

Everything is networking at this point. You turn to the person behind you in line and start talking. That may mean dressing like you will not vegetate on the couch for the rest of the day when running to the store for milk. Yes, holiday parties can suck, but they can be the way to be generous with your time as others do the same.

7. Listen to podcasts, use YouTube

Good podcasts in the unemployed phase in your job search seem like classes or webinars. That is what my podcast attempts to do–educate. Good podcasts engage your thoughts and drive you to improvement and empowerment.

8. Spend time with Artificial Intelligence (AI software)

How are your peers using it in the industry? How will it improve your productivity? It seems as essential as knowing how to use search engines and keywords and broaden your learning.

Suggestions? How are you staying sharp during your job search? Let us know.