Say No to Gimmicks
There seems to be a rumor about job searching floating around. Have you heard? Finding a job is easy. It’s easy as long as you format your resume in a very specific way, and you include the perfect phrases on your LinkedIn profile. There’s a very specific way that all recruiters want your resume to be formatted, and there are specific keywords they’re all looking for. Every successful job seeker knows these rules, and they’re not hard to learn.
If this sounds too good to be true, it’s because it is. I tell every job seeker I meet with, “If you showed your resume to ten people, you would get ten opinions. There’s no one way to write a resume.” The same applies for your entire search. Sure, there are guidelines. There are best practices. But there’s no one specific layout or one specific set of words that’s going to turn your entire job search around.
I’m not sure why these rumors exist, other than maybe they make sense of a process that can at times feel senseless. They put control back in just when you’re feeling out of control. In reality, there is no one way to perform an effective job search. There are many ways. There are many options that can work.
What always works is a strategy to never give up. What works is trying various avenues until one does work. And, there are a few good general guidelines to keep in mind.
First, manage your personal brand. When it comes to job searching, perceptions are reality. Your personal brand is impacted both in the online world, and in real life. Do a thorough check on Google to see what a recruiter might learn about you if they looked around. If you find questionable content, do your best to remove it or change it.
In the offline world, think of things like your appearance, and other first impressions, such as how you shake hands or leave voicemail. Take the time to write thank you notes to those who help you. Keep in touch with those you care about.
When it comes to your resume and LinkedIn, be sure they’re up to date. Check their accuracy. Ensure that you’re including detailed information, but write them in such a way that someone outside of your current industry could understand them.
Job seeking is not an overnight endeavor. It takes time. It takes persistence. And, when you do land your dream job, it’s not going to be because you followed a gimmicky idea about how to write the perfect resume, or that you stuffed your LinkedIn profile with the right keywords. Your resume and LinkedIn profile are two pieces to a larger pie. They can help to support your case for getting a job, but these things alone will likely not land you your next gig.
The next time you hear a suggestion that sounds like a gimmick, keep things in perspective. Consistency, persistence, and networking is what will work – every time.
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com.
Featured Job: Event Manager @ PayPal
PayPal is seeking a US Mid-Market Event Manager in Timonium, Maryland.
The US Mid-Market Event Manager will be responsible for developing and executing an events strategy to drive deeper engagement with our existing customers and drive demand for our business products from new customers. The Event Manager will plan and deliver event strategies that align to business goals through the execution of tradeshows, customer events, strategic partnerships, thought leadership platforms and various other event marketing programs. Success will be measured by lead generation, pipeline acceleration for new customers and increased NPS and additional product penetration for existing customers.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the PayPal website.
Featured Job: Demand Inventory Planner @ Wright Medical
Wright Medical is seeking a Demand Inventory Planner in Memphis, TN.
The Demand Inventory Planner will proactively analyze, recommend and challenge finished goods unit forecasts, inventory policies, and safety stock strategies based on market demands and business goals. This individual will also be responsible for facilitating proactive, cross-functional management of inventory investments through Life Cycle Management (LCM) in the product development process. The Global Demand Inventory Planner will be responsible for established products.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Wright Medical website.
Featured Job: Material Innovation Engineer @ Patagonia
Patagonia is seeking a Material Innovation Engineer in Ventura, CA.
The Material Innovation Engineer is responsible for the extensive research, identification, acquisition, and development of novel and sustainable chemistry and textile technologies for use in the Company’s product lines. S/he must use academic and industry knowledge, supplier networks, publications, and research to develop applicable technologies that benefit the Company’s product lines through enhanced performance, sustainability, and intellectual property. The Material Innovation Engineer must understand the competitive strategy and position of each product line in order to formulate advanced chemistry innovations. This position is equal parts consultant, researcher, and project manager pertaining to advanced innovation concepts.
For more information, or to apply online, visit the Patagonia website.
Featured Job: Advisor, Organization Development @ St. Jude
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is seeking an Advisor – Organizational Development in Memphis, TN.
This role is focused on employee performance management, including:
- Manage the ALSAC employee performance management process and tools.
- Design, develop, and deliver manager education materials using instructor-led, e-learning, and synchronous (WebEx, Adobe Connect) learning methods
- Maintain the employee performance culture and its connection to ALSAC corporate culture (the Pillars) using internal communication channels
- Promote performance management best practices
- Research, benchmark, and recommend improvements to the performance appraisal instrument
- Manage employee recognition programs (One Vision award program)
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the St. Jude website.
Featured Job: Sales Manager @ International Paper
International Paper is seeking a Sales Manager – Corrugated Packaging in Memphis, TN.
Key Responsibilities:
- Responsible for creating and directing sales team strategy with alignment and focus on the sale of value-added and high graphic corrugated products.
- Develop positive relationships with key customers and prospects. Establish sales strategy with all major customers. Develop and maintain a process to effectively lead sales team to achieve department goals.
- Supervise a sales force of three Account Managers.Recruit staff and develop a safe, highly qualified and engaged sales team. Utilize tools such as Performance Management and Development process and the Compensation process.
- Establish and communicate mix objectives and strategy with the plants for operating efficiency and profitability. Accurately forecast volume and contribution for all accounts for plants on a monthly basis. Develop and manage sales department budget.
- Assist in establishing market pricing levels and strategies. Gather and monitor competitive information from the marketplace and identify market trends.
- Coordinate credit policy
- Coordinate strategies with sister facilities.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the International Paper website.
Featured Job: Press Officer @ US Soccer Federation
The US Soccer Federation is seeking a Press Officer in Chicago, IL.
Main focus is on the day-to-day media related activities of all Men’s and Boys’ Youth National Teams and the Development Academy, dealing with both internal departments and external media. The position involves assisting in media strategy, dealing with requests from national and international news organizations, and working closely with staff, coaches and players. The position also requires content production in the form of written materials and maintenance of social media accounts. This position will also assist the Men’s National Team, Women’s National Team, and overall Federation Services in all the above responsibilities.
To learn more, or to apply online, check out the Team Work Online website.
CCP95: Lauren Hogan, USA Today
Episode 95 of the Copeland Coaching Podcast is now live!
This week, we talk with Lauren Hogan in Atlanta, GA. Lauren is the Vice President of Southeast Digital and Integrated Sales at USA Today. She has over twenty five years of experience in cross platform media sales and management, cross category national advertising sales and leadership with a strong track record for building teams and achieving aggressive goals.
On today’s episode, Lauren shares her advice on how to get your foot in the door with a top media organization. She also shares tips on working in sales and getting an internal promotion.
Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it for free on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. If you enjoy the program, subscribe today to the Copeland Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher to ensure you don’t miss an episode!
To learn more about USA Today, visit their website here.
Featured Job: CRM Analyst @ Brooks Brothers
Brooks Brothers is seeking a Senior CRM Analyst – Statistician – Advanced Analytics in New York, NY.
We’re looking for an outstanding Senior Analyst – CRM Advanced Analytics to join our CRM Marketing team. Develop and perform deep customer analytics, data mining and statistical modeling to support Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and other business needs. Develop standard and ad-hoc analyses to answer business questions and provide actionable insights. Work closely with internal teams to help drive strategy and program development. Respond with accuracy and urgency to solve business needs.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Brooks Brothers website.
Featured Job: Visual Merchandiser @ AutoZone
AutoZone is seeking a Visual Merchandiser in Memphis, TN.
Position Description
• Develop and implement visual presentation strategies that will meet the needs of our consumers and increase sales at the category level. This is done by analyzing market, store, and item level KPI data (leveraging JDA Channel Clustering and other analytical software applications) in conjunction with broad category knowledge.
• Design planograms leveraging the above mentioned strategies in conjunction with visual merchandising “best practices”. Draft these planograms using “JDA Space Planning” software and write detailed merchandising communications to guide in store implementation.
• Work cross functionally to ensure timely and flawless implementation for all aspects of the planogram schedule including; DC order to quantities, SKU set up, item disposition, recall information, planogram store labor, retail changes, and cost changes.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the AutoZone website.
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