If you’re unsure how to create an answer, it’ll be a challenge to genuinely communicate that to prospective employers. This is especially true if you are naturally more introverted and tend to be uncomfortable promoting yourself, downplaying your accomplishments and believing that your work speaks for itself.

Unfortunately, failing to communicate the value you bring to your employer will allow them to form their own opinions, which are often off the mark. So, how do you step out of your comfort zone and own your unique message?

One of the best ways to get more comfortable tooting your own horn is to take ownership of your unique value proposition (UVP).

Understanding Your Unique Value Proposition as a Job Seeker

Your unique value proposition is what makes you the best candidate for a particular role.

When employers are looking to fill a position, they want to know what you can bring to the table that other candidates can’t. Your unique value proposition is your chance to sell yourself and show why you’re the perfect fit for the job.

Creating Your Own Unique Value Proposition

When crafting your UVP, think about what you have to offer that no one else does.

What are your unique skills and experiences? What makes you passionate about the work you do? Answering these questions will help you hone in on what makes you the ideal candidate for the job you’re pursuing.

Examples of Unique Selling Points for Job Seekers

Remember, your UVP should be unique to you. But to get your creative juices flowing, consider any comments, awards, or recognition you’ve received throughout your career.

Perhaps you’ve received awards for streamlining operations or innovative cost reductions. Maybe you’ve been recognized by a previous employer for improving employee morale and boosting customer engagement. Whatever accolades you’ve received, use those as inspiration for explaining your value.

Using Your Unique Value Proposition in Your Job Search

Once you have a few ideas, you can start working them into your application materials.

Use Your Unique Value Proposition on Your Resume

Your resume is one of the first places employers will look to learn more about you, so ensure your unique value proposition is front and center. One way to do this is by fully utilizing the power of your resume summary. This brief statement outlines your qualifications and emphasizes why you’re the perfect candidate for the job.

If you have a lot of experience, you might want to focus on your accomplishments and the critical skills most relevant to the position. For example:

Accomplished sales professional with 10+ years of experience exceeding quotas and generating new business. Proven ability to establish relationships with clients and close deals.

If you don’t have as much experience, highlight what makes you stand out from other candidates. For example:

Recent graduate with a degree in marketing and experience managing social media accounts for small businesses and national nonprofit organizations. Skilled at creating content, analyzing data, and developing strategies to grow an audience.

In both cases, the unique value proposition is clear and concise, telling employers precisely what the job seeker can offer.

Use Your Unique Value Proposition in Your Cover Letter

A cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself and explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. And it’s often easier to write what makes you unique, so start here and share what the employer will gain if they hire you.

Use specific examples to support your claims and show employers what you could bring to the team. For example:

In the job posting, you noted that you’re looking for a candidate with experience in copywriting and social media. In my previous role as a marketing assistant, I was responsible for creating both digital and print content. I also managed the social media accounts for my company, which allowed me to increase our customer engagement by 18%.

As you can see, my skills and experiences perfectly align with what you’re looking for in a candidate. I would love to put my talents to work for your company and help contribute to your success.

Use Your Unique Value Proposition in Your Online Profiles

A healthy professional presence online is vital during your job search. Most employers will look you up online before deciding whether to interview you, so it’s critical to ensure your online profiles are up to date and professional.

Your unique value proposition can also come in handy here. Use your UVP to update your profile descriptions and create a tagline that sums up who you are and what you do. For example:

Marketing professional with 10 years of experience developing and executing campaigns that drive results. Skilled in copywriting, social media, and project management. Passionate about helping businesses achieve their goals.

This short description tells employers everything they need to know about you and what you can do for them. It’s the perfect way to make an excellent first impression and get them interested in learning more about you.

Sharing Your Unique Message

While it can be uncomfortable, it’s essential that you own your accomplishments and manage the message that your job search sends. Just remember, you’re helping the hiring manager understand why you’re the best fit for their needs. They won’t know unless you tell them.

The post How to Convey Your Unique Value to Employers appeared first on Job-Hunt.

The way that you describe your work history, previous roles, credentials, and talents will dictate whether or not you’re found by employers and recruiters searching LinkedIn, Google, and various social media. Not to mention the fact that your keywords dictate how you’re graded by an applicant tracking system (ATS).

What You Need to Know About Keywords

If you’re not using the right keywords, you’re making it harder for potential employers to find you. And if you’re not easily seen, you’re much less likely to get hired.

So, how do you choose the right keywords? Here’s what you need to know.

What Exactly Is a Keyword?

Do you recognize the keywords that you use daily? Probably not. Most of us don’t think of the searches we do in those terms. However, anytime you look something up online, you’re using keywords. And the more detailed your search terms are, the more tailored the results are.

Consider the last time you were looking for a restaurant. There was probably a large number of responses. But if you narrowed that down to “Italian restaurants near me,” your results were much more applicable to your needs.

Keywords in your job search work the same way. Recruiters will use words or phrases that describe a particular skill, experience, or education. For example, if they’re looking for a web developer, their keywords might be “web development,” “HTML,” “CSS,” and/or “JavaScript.”

Leveraging that information, you can use keywords in your job titles, skills, summary, work history, and education sections so that you show up in more search results.

Why You Need Keywords

What do keywords have to do with landing a job? Well, as employers search for and consider candidates, they use keywords to find the best fit for their needs. By including relevant keywords throughout your various profiles and resumes, you can ensure you’re being seen by employers looking for someone with your skills and experience.

In addition to ensuring you’re being found, the best keywords also help ensure that your application is relevant to the position you’re applying for. Many employers use an ATS to screen resumes and identify qualified candidates. These systems often use keywords to determine which summaries are most relevant to a particular job.

What does that mean? Realistically, resumes without a keyword match might not make it into consideration, even if you’re highly qualified for the role.

Where to Use Keywords in Your Job Search

While there is a lot of emphasis on utilizing keywords in your resume to beat an ATS, you can—and should—weave keywords throughout other places to help you connect with recruiters.

For example, include them in your LinkedIn profile headline and summary and in comments and posts you use for groups and companies you follow.

Social media profiles are another excellent location to utilize a strategic and natural approach to including keywords in your writing. You can even use keywords in your email signature.

By strategically using keywords throughout your job search materials, you’ll improve your chances of landing the job you want.

Selecting and Using the Best Keywords

It would be much easier to simply create a list of keywords and then use those repeatedly. In reality, it’s a bit more complex than that. For example, the keywords you use for your online profile will not always be the exact ones you use on your resume.

Ideally, they’ll be similar, but your resume keywords should be targeted to a specific role and updated for each submission. On the other hand, your LinkedIn profile will be broader and target a type of role, rather than a particular job.

Choosing the Best Keywords for LinkedIn

Recruiters use keywords for job titles, qualifications, skills, and duties, meaning you need to do the same to get noticed. This helps ensure you’ll show up in more search results.

For example, if you’re a marketing professional, you might use the following keywords: “marketing manager,” “brand strategist,” “content creator,” “social media expert,” “growth hacker,” etc.

To find the best keywords for your LinkedIn profile, look at job descriptions for positions you’re interested in. Identify the skills and experience that are required or preferred for the job. These will be your target keywords. You can also use LinkedIn’s advanced search feature to see what keywords recruiters are using to find candidates with your qualifications.

Once you have a list of the up-to-date terminology, you can start to weave those throughout your profile. For example, suppose you’re applying for a job that requires customer service experience. In that case, here are some of the keywords you might use: “customer service,” “communication,” “interpersonal skills,” “problem-solving,” and “conflict resolution.”

Choose Your Resume Keywords Carefully

When choosing keywords for your resume, it’s essential to select those most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Focus on the job listing. List the critical skills and experience required or preferred for the position. These will likely be a mix of hard skills (like specific software or programming languages) and soft skills (like teamwork or customer service).

Consider both the skills and experience you have that are relevant to the position you’re applying for, as well as the specific words and phrases that employers might be using.

Using Keywords Naturally

When you include keywords in your resume and cover letter, it’s essential to use them naturally. In other words, don’t just stuff your documents full of keywords—that will make them difficult to read, and employers will likely be turned off.

Instead, try to include your keywords in a way that makes sense for the particular document and sounds natural. In your resume, you can include keywords in your summary statement and in each bullet point under your work experience. In your cover letter, you can mention them in both the opening paragraph and throughout the body of the letter.

Ensure that the keywords you’re using are relevant to the position you’re applying for and accurately reflect your skills and experience.

Using Keywords to Get Noticed

If you’re having trouble getting noticed, one of the best ways to boost success is by working with a professional resume writer or career coach. They can work with you to create a profile and resume with a higher conversion rate.

With practice, using keywords will feel more natural, and you’ll effortlessly capture the attention of more recruiters and hiring managers.

The post How to Use Keywords in Your Resume, Cover Letter, and More appeared first on Job-Hunt.

What is it exactly that allows your job application to make an impact in all of this noise? Is there something extra you can do—a one-page resume, an objective on your resume, or a specially formatted cover letter, for example—that will grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers?

According to certified Career Coach and Resume Writer Dawid Wiacek, Founder of Career Fixer LLC, these kinds of bells and whistles aren’t what it takes. “The truth is, you don’t need any of the above for (many) job applications,” Wiacek said. “I have clients who come to me asking for a one-page resume because their two- or three-page resume wasn’t working. But when we really examine their longer resume, it’s not the length of it, but it’s the quality of the resume that is lacking.”

The same concept holds true for other parts of your job application, including your cover letter.

How to Get Noticed by the Hiring Team

Here’s Wiacek’s expert advice on how you can increase the chance of your resume and cover letter being noticed by the hiring team.

Get the SEO Right

On both your resume and cover letter, be sure you incorporate the right phrases, skills, and keywords—meaning they must be relevant to and match the job description of the job to which you’re applying.

Make Your Case Early On

Don’t save the best for last in your cover letter and resume—share what’s most important for employers to see in the top third of page one of your resume and cover letter.

“Make it abundantly clear at the top of your resume (the headline, the marquee, if you will) that you have already delivered value to prior employers, and that you will do the same,” Wiacek said.

Include Numbers, Not Just Words

The job applications that pack a punch are those that include metrics, percentages, and concrete, quantified accomplishments.

“Instead of writing ‘Improved efficiency of creative workflows,’ consider ‘Achieved 30% efficiency boost by implementing system upgrades and introducing weekly, cross-departmental check-ins.'”

Polish Your Social Media Presence

Make sure you have a complete, updated, and polished LinkedIn profile that matches the details you share in your resume—at least mostly.

Wiacek maintains that if there’s too much delta between the resume and LinkedIn, this could be a red flag in the eyes of the recruiter.

Build Your Thought Leadership

Do you post relevant content and innovative ideas on LinkedIn, or are you a passive professional? Do you attend conferences (whether online or in-person) and speak at them?

Thought leadership—sharing your expertise through publications and speaking about industry issues—can help you stand out.

“Recruiters will be snooping around on LinkedIn,” Wiacek explained. “They will be impressed if you’re a thought leader.”

Network, Network, Network

Arguably as important as what your application materials and social sites look like is your skill at networking. It’s making connections with others in your industry that might be what helps get your job application into the right hands, which can move it to the top of the pile.

“Before, during, and after applying, reach out to current or former employees,” Wiacek said. “Do so tactfully and gracefully. Ask politely for a finite amount of time: a 10-minute phone call within the next week is a more realistic ask than, ‘Do you have an hour to speak tomorrow?’”

Leverage Informational Interviews

Wiacek believes that informational interviews are one of the best ways to get your application noticed because you can then ask for tips and referrals.

You can also make note of who you spoke with in your cover letter: “After talking to several of your employees, including [name], I am confident I am a strong culture fit and can deliver tangible value [XYZ].”

Take the Time to Get Noticed

The steps you take on the front end to get your job application noticed take longer but will be time well spent.

By being intentional in how you prepare for and present your candidacy, your resume, your cover letter, and your other job materials, you will rise above the fray.

The post How to Get Your Job Application Noticed appeared first on Job-Hunt.

There’s a protocol to follow when determining if, when, and how you should follow up on job applications. Here are the details to guide you through the process.

Think Before You Click “Send”

The first hurdle in considering whether or not to follow up on a job application is understanding appropriate follow-up timing.

While you may feel discouraged if you don’t hear back quickly after sending in your resume, it’s not a reasonable expectation to receive a call back in the first 24 or 48 hours—or even a week—post-submission. The general rule of thumb is to wait a minimum of two weeks before pinging the hiring manager for a status report on your job application.

In the current market, and especially since the pandemic hit, managers have more on their plates than ever, so reaching out to ask about your application too soon can backfire. The worst-case scenario is that you follow up about your submission too soon and end up making a negative impression with the employer instead of a positive one.

Consider the Mode

Not all forms of follow-up are equal when it comes to inquiring about your job application.

If you’re considering whether to reach out for information via phone, email, text, or social media, the best choice is usually email. This allows you to craft a professional message that states exactly what you want to say and avoids the possibility of losing your train of thought or coming across as disorganized, which are real possibilities on a phone call that could hurt your chances of getting the job.

Email is also the right choice because it allows the hiring team to respond to you at a time that’s convenient for them, rather than being put on the spot by your call. The employer may not have all of the information yet about the hire, so email allows for a gap of time between receipt and response. Also, reaching out through other methods, like texting or a message on social media, might be seen as too personal and thus, unprofessional.

Keep It Short and Succinct

Less is more with a job application follow-up email. Your goal of the message is simply to confirm receipt of your submission and request an update on the projected timing that candidates may hear back. 

The devil is in the details here since a careless error in your writing, such as misspelling the hiring manager’s name or missing a typo, could end up affecting your earlier application negatively.

Once you’ve confirmed the correct contact information for sending your email, remind the hiring team of the date that you submitted your application, briefly reiterate how your specific experience could help the employer, and indicate the best way to reach you.

Be Gracious About the Opportunity

While you may feel annoyed or ignored if you haven’t heard back about your job application yet, be sure that the tone of your follow-up message conveys a tone of gratitude.

Thank the employer for the chance to apply for a position that’s meaningful to you, and express that you appreciate their time in reviewing your qualifications. The last thing you want to do is sound aggravated about having to wait for their response or come across as demanding or pressuring, which may end up moving your application from the “under consideration pile” to the “reject” pile. 

Finally, be sure to check the fine print of the job ad before you decide whether or not to send a follow-up. If the listing specified that applicants shouldn’t reach out after submitting their application, then heed that advice.

Also, be aware that the practice of “ghosting” candidates, which means only responding to applicants who are being offered an interview, is becoming more common in the industry, in part due to high application rates. If your follow-up communication doesn’t produce a response within a month or more, then assume that you probably aren’t moving forward to the next steps in this position.

The post How to Follow Up on a Job Application appeared first on Job-Hunt.

If this is your first job search or it’s been a while, you might not realize that most employers will require you to fill out a job application. Perhaps you’ve never seen one or think they’re a thing of the past. Realistically though, they’re still the standard throughout any job search, and you can expect to fill out a job application for almost any role you apply for.

What Is a Job Application?

Does an application seem redundant to you? Sure, you have the most applicable information on your resume, but if an employer requests that you also fill out an application, don’t try and skip it by emailing a resume to the recruiter. Why is that? Standardized job applications ensure that employers have all of the information they’re seeking from the applicants, along with the information they require for personnel files.

They’ll quickly filter multiple submissions for specific criteria, as all the information will be presented in a standard format. Resumes can come in various forms, from a traditional chronological format to a more modern hybrid version. A standardized job application ensures recruiters aren’t spending time combing through different styles seeking the needed details.

Organizing Your Job Applications

The best way to ensure a stress-free job search is to create an organized plan before beginning. Consider making a folder on your computer for online job applications and a physical one for printed and in-person applications.

Inside your folder, gather all of your job search information, such as verified dates of employment, addresses of previous employers, and contact information for your references. That way, you’ll be able to quickly access the information, efficiently filling out forms without having to rely on your memory.

Types of Job Applications

There are four different versions of an application that you might come across throughout your job search.

• Online: The vast majority of your applications are likely to be online. When you’re applying from home, store your information in a Word doc so you can easily copy the information, which will expedite the application process.
• In-Person: Occasionally, you’ll be submitting an electronic application but in person. Larger companies, such as restaurants and hotels, request that you fill out an application via a kiosk or tablet. Sometimes in conjunction with job fairs, this helps the HR team to analyze job seekers for qualifications quickly.
• Email: Some companies will post a form online that you can either download, fill out in writing, and scan back in, or a PDF that you fill out electronically and attach to an email.
• Paper: Whether in person or printed from an online site, paper applications don’t have an option for submission. You’ll be printing them off and handing them to a company representative.

Information Needed to Complete Your Job Application

Ensure you’re not having to pause while filling out your application part-way through the form. Consider all of the details you’re most likely to need to complete each section. There is no standard application form, and some may require less information than others.

Some specific information often requested is:

Name and Contact Information

Ensure that you’re double-checking your contact information, and if it’s in print, ensure it’s legible. Your name and contact information might be the most essential pieces of information on your application, as the recruiter can’t advance you to the next position if they can’t reach you.

Pro tip: Create a professional email address specifically for your job search. That ensures that you’re presenting a polished first impression and prevents valuable emails from getting lost in your crowded inbox.

Company-Specific Information

Most companies will ask you questions regarding your legal right to work, the hours you’re available, whether you’re seeking part-time or full-time employment, and whether or not any relatives currently work for the company.

Pro tip: Many applications include questions about your expected salary. Rather than eliminate yourself from consideration, fill in “Open” and be prepared to negotiate salary further along in the process.

Position-Specific Information

Some companies will have specific information pertaining to the role. For example, restaurants might ask about any functional food or alcohol permits. And jobs that require you to operate motor vehicles will generally ask for verification of your driver’s license and any history of moving violations.

Pro tip: When possible, read the job description beforehand to ensure that you have obtained the dates of any tickets and violations you’ve received, if applicable. Often, the length of time will impact your employability.

History of Education

Most applications will ask you to list your high school and college attendance. This is a great place to list any professional certifications as well.

Pro tip: If you haven’t completed your degree yet, don’t leave it off. Instead, list it as “Anticipated Completion [month and year].”

Employment History

Here, you’ll list your previous company along with the supervisor’s name. You’ll also be listing dates of employment, the reason for leaving, and granting permission to contact if it’s a current employer.

Pro tip: Ensure that the contact information you’re providing is for the HR department of your previous company whenever possible. Your previous supervisor may have moved or been promoted. If you are using your previous supervisor as a reference, list their professional contact information in your references section.

Skills

In this section, companies seek to gain insight beyond simple dates and titles. You’ll list skills that apply to the role based on your education, applicable awards, and any licensing that you’ve received.

Pro tip: Review the job description before beginning the application and analyze how your skill set and experience make you the best candidate. Rather than list generic skills, tailor your responses to the position to get your job application noticed.

References

Most companies will ask for anywhere from two to four references they can contact to get better insight into how you present yourself professionally. Ensure that you’ve reached your connections before listing them to verify that their information hasn’t changed and that they’ll be responsive to any inquiries.

Pro tip: If you don’t have any previous work contacts available to utilize, consider any teachers or professors you’ve had that spoke highly of your performance. Also, use any volunteer work or unofficial work experiences you’ve completed if you lack official work histories, such as yard work or babysitting.

The Legality of an Application

The final section of your application is where you certify that you’re providing truthful information. It’s never a good idea to lie or stretch the truth on an application. You can be terminated down the road if it ever becomes known that you were dishonest.

A final tip for application best practices is to ensure that every line of your job application is filled out. If something doesn’t apply to you, insert “N/A” rather than leave it blank. Doing so ensures you don’t give the impression that you missed something because you weren’t detail-oriented.

More: How to Follow Up on a Job Application

The post The Complete Guide to Job Applications appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Set yourself up for success by creating a routine for your job search, including organizing your application materials. This way, you’ll be ensuring that the first impression prospective employers get is that you’re thorough, timely, and detail-oriented.

Job Application Best Practices

Employers use applications to ensure they get the same information from each candidate. The details needed are in a consistent location so hiring managers don’t have to comb through resumes in various formats. They’ll be able to compare each applicant quickly and find the best match.

1. Have Your Materials Organized

When you’re ready to start a job search, organize all of your application materials into a folder or a file. Rather than relying on an online list, print materials out to take with you if you’ll be completing a paper application.

An organized location ensures that you won’t accidentally miss any details by relying on your memory. This helps keep your applications consistent. Also, you’ll be able to speed up the process, so that’s a win all the way around.

2. Double-Check Your Employment Dates

Before beginning, double-check any employment and education dates. Check your W-2’s or bank accounts for beginning payroll, rather than guess what month you started with a company. Often, you can verify your employment dates with a larger company’s HR department if needed.
Are you still working on your degree? Whether your high school diploma or an advanced degree, list the “expected completion date” with your anticipated graduation date.

3. Read the Instructions First

When all of your information is gathered, and you’re ready to begin filling out the information, read through each job application first. Most follow similar structures, but you might come across one that requires information you don’t have in front of you. Or, they might ask for details you didn’t gather, such as a previous manager’s official title.

When you’ve already invested time filling out most fields, it could be tempting to improvise or leave it blank rather than start over, especially if you’re worn down in the middle of a lengthy job search. Instead, read the entire form before beginning to ensure that you have all the necessary information.

Note: It’s never a good practice to lie or stretch the truth. Inevitably, you’ll get found out, and lying on your application is often grounds for termination.

4. Complete the Entire Application

Don’t leave areas blank. If they don’t apply, place an “N/A” there to ensure you’re conveying that you didn’t simply skip the information. Consider this application your first chance to honestly communicate with the prospective manager. You’ll want to present yourself as detail-oriented and good at following directions.

5. Use Available Space to Give Details

Similar to resume best practices, don’t simply list your qualifications. Offer data-driven examples that support your position as the best candidate. Suppose you had a previous role as a server. You might consider details such as:

Friendly and personalized service resulting in a consistent 25% increase in sales by upselling dessert and appetizers.

Verify that you’re not using jargon, even if you’re moving into the same field. Spell out the acronyms and utilize professional tone and phrasing.

6. Utilize Keywords That Match Your Resume

As a best practice, find keywords in the job posting and utilize those throughout your application. Ensure that each piece of your personal brand tells the same story and you’re showcasing the same skills as you do on your resume.

For example, if the recruiter has listed reliable several times, you can share your excellent attendance record at school or in your last job. Customer-focused or friendly is a requirement? You’ll want to highlight any service awards, teacher evaluations, or customer feedback you’ve received.

7. Include Your Verified References

After you’ve verified contact information for your references, have them neatly organized and ready to add. Ideally, these will be the same references that you list on your resume.

If you’re in the middle of a job hunt, contact them ahead of time to seek permission. You’ll notify them to look for unknown numbers or email addresses coming soon. Ensure that they’ll answer the requests promptly rather than think that they might be spam.

8. Don’t Specify Salary Requirements

Employers will often have a field for salary expectations. They’ll use this as a means of screening candidates. You want to be identified for your qualifications, rather than the number you put down. Input “open” or “negotiable” if you’re asked about salary on your application. When it comes down to the actual offer, you’ll be able to negotiate your salary or politely decline if it’s not going to meet your requirements.

9. Triple-Check for Accuracy

Before submitting, go over your information several times to ensure that there aren’t typos or missing data. Typos and grammar errors are some of the biggest pet peeves that recruiters have. If you’re applying online, consider copying and pasting your information into a Word document, as it’s easier to edit there.

10. Include Your LinkedIn Profile in Your Contact Information

Include professional contact information, including your completed LinkedIn profile. Also, if your email is fun and trendy, like Hufflepuffisthebesthouse@gmail.com, for example, you should create an email specifically for job searching. The easiest way is to create a simple version of your name. If it’s already taken, consider adding a period or your middle initial—something simple that keeps it professional.

More: The Complete Guide to Job Applications

Prepare for Your Interviews

Regardless of what type of application you’re filling out—paper or online, single or multi-page—being detail-oriented, neat, and concise ensures that you make the best first impression. Ensuring that you keep your message consistent and professional across all of your job search materials will help you quickly land more interviews.

The post 10 Best Job Application Tips appeared first on Job-Hunt.

The Best Keywords for Your Resume/Job Application

The right keywords are essential for your success. And the best keywords in a resume or job application are dependent on the job opportunity you are pursuing.

Start with a foundation resume that generally contains the keywords appropriate to the job you are seeking.

More: What Keywords Are, Where You Can Find Your Keywords, and The Top 25 Keywords for Your Job Search

Keep your resume up to date, and use the technology (word processing software, blog software, social networks) to effectively demonstrate that you and your skills are up-to-date with the demands of the market.

Customize the Keywords in Your Resume for Each Opportunity

Carefully include the keywords relevant to the specific opportunity in your resume so it will be found.

The right keywords will get your resume noticed by employers whether they are searching through their email, a resume database, or an applicant tracking system.

• • Use your clean “professional screen name.”

    Your name may be the most important set of “keywords” on your resume.  Your “professional screen name” is the version of your name that you use for your professional activities on a computer (tablet and smart phone) screen. Claim that version of your name with your LinkedIn Profile, and use it for your other online professional/work-related activities.

    Assuming you formatted your resume correctly and submitted it in the manner requested, one of the first things someone will probably do is do an Internet search on your name. And, what they find needs to be “clean” – no bad stuff associated with that name, even if the person with the bad reputation is not you. Mistaken online identity can quickly de-rail your job search.

  • Customize your resume for each opportunity.

    Your resume objective should mirror the job title of the job you are pursuing. If the job title is “Administrative Assistant,” then your resume should look like this – “Objective: Administrative Assistant at [employer name].”

    The body of your resume should include other terms used in the job description, as appropriate for you. For example, assume that the position requires expertise with Microsoft Office products including Outlook calendar and email, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, your resume would look like this:

    Five (5) years of experience with Microsoft Office Outlook (both calendar and email), Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

    Don’t exaggerate your qualifications, but, when you meet the requirements, be sure to include them using the terminology in the job description.

  • Become a “slash person” if the job title is unusual.

    For example, maybe your job title is “Admin Wizard” in your current job. That’s a pretty unique job title, and you won’t find many other employers using that same title. However, when you look at job descriptions for jobs you want, you find that most of the world calls someone doing that job an “Administrative Assistant.”

    So, in the resume you submit, use a combination job title for your current job, like this — “Admin Wizard/Administrative Assistant.” This enables employers to understand what an Admin Wizard really does. It also connects them to your LinkedIn profile, showing them that you are doing an administrative assistant job, even though your job has a unique job title.

  • Include both the relevant acronyms and the phrases that explain what the acronym means.

    The body of your resume should contain both the acronym and the phrase explaining it to cover each kind of possible search. Both versions don’t have to be in the same sentence or paragraph, although that can be handy. For example –

    Member, American Marketing Association (AMA) Certified Project Management Professional (PMP Certification)

    Be sure to use both the acronym and the phrase in your resume, even if you don’t have room to put them side-by-side. Having both present will increase the probability that your resume will appear in the search results whether the recruiter searches on the acronym or the phrase that it represents.

  • Be inconsistent.

    If you were being judged on your writing skills, this wouldn’t be an advantage. In the resume search-ability/SEO game, however, it is an advantage. So, without destroying the meaning of the words on your resume, be as creatively inconsistent as possible.

    For example, if you are looking for a job using social media, include all versions of the terms: “social media” and “social networks” and “social networking” plus the names of the most popular social networks.

  • Be complete.

    Don’t assume that people will only be searching on the umbrella term. Continuing with the social media example, name the specific social networks you can use: “Facebook” and “LinkedIn” and “Twitter” in addition to the terms “social media,” “social networks,” and “social networking” (as above), so your resume will pop up in the results regardless of the exact term used by the recruiters in their search.

“Have managed both LinkedIn Groups and Facebook Pages to…  Established Twitter and Pinterest accounts for…”

• Add a section near the top of your resume named “Skills” or, even, “Summary.”

  Concentrate as many of your key words as possible in this section. For an example, check out our sample ASCII text resume. It has a “Skills Summary” section which is really a collection of keywords – the nouns, noun phrases, and action verbs, that best summarize the experience and skills as well as education and relevant association memberships.

• Include the word “resume” in your resume.

  Yes, they do know it’s a resume, but often, in haste or out of habit, they search on the term “resume” anyway. If the word “resume” is not on your resume, your resume might not be found. So cover this base, just in case…

  Put it in the top line (e.g. “M. J. Smith’s Resume”).

  I recommend using the simple version of the word, “resume,” rather than the more formal version “résumé,” simply because the vast majority of people will search on the simple version of the term because it is the easiest to type with a standard American keyboard.

Name Your Resume File Effectively

Be sure to save your resume with a file name that is useful and meaningful to employers.

You want employers to be able to find your resume quickly and easily on their computers, and you want to make it clear what your field is.

Employers may receive hundreds of resumes, most of them simply named “resume.docx.” When they are trying to figure out which resume belongs to what person or job, this is very annoying.

Be smart, and be easy to find. Include your name (last name first) plus the word “resume” and important keywords in the file name. For example,the file name for Mary Jane Smith’s resume could be Smith-MJ-CPA-resume.doc or Smith-MJ-administrator-resume.doc.

More about Keywords:

• Understanding Keywords
• Developing Your Keywords
• Your Most Important Keywords
• Social Profile Keyword Success Secrets
• Identifying Your Keywords
• The Top 25 Keywords for Your Job Search

More about Internet Resumes:

• Internet Resumes
• Cyber-Safe Resumes
• Protecting Your Privacy

More about Social Media:

• Social Media and Job Search
• LinkedIn for Job Search
• Twitter for Job Search

More about Resumes:

• Resumes
• 4 Killer Tactics to Get Your Email and Resume Read
• Managing Resume Red Flags
• Triple the Value of Your Resume

About the author…

Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a recent Visiting Scholar at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Susan is a two-time layoff “graduate” who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. Since 1998, Susan has been editor and publisher of Job-Hunt.org. Follow Susan on Twitter at @jobhuntorg and on Facebook, LinkedIn.
More about this author…

The post Resume/Job Application Keyword Success Secrets appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Whenever you upload a resume to an online form or fill out a questionnaire during a job application, an ATS is tasked with making your information visible to employers — or not.

These systems are a necessity for many hiring companies.

They streamline the hiring process and allow recruiters to navigate high volumes of incoming resumes and job applications.

Unfortunately for job seekers, ATS also introduce new hurdles, mysteries, and frustrations to the job search process.

Job seekers know the feeling of submitting a resume and never hearing anything back. It’s known as the “resume black hole,” but it’s actually the ATS. There are dozens of ATS used by employers and all of them work a little differently. Failing to account for common ATS behaviors could mean your resume is ignored or missed entirely.

Many of these behaviors and functionality are based around keywords.

ATS look for specific skills, words, and phrases in your resume in order to search, rank, or reject candidates.

How 3 Top Applicant Tracking Systems Work

Thousands of different companies offer ATS services to employers, and no single vendor is used by all employers. Here are three examples of how top ATS manage resume keywords:

Taleo – “Knockout” Keywords

Used by companies including Starbucks and Nintendo, Taleo is the most-used system around. According to Ongig’s 2017 report, they dominate the ATS market with a 25% share.

Taleo offers a wide array of functions and options that allow recruiters and hiring companies to create a customized strategy for narrowing the applicant pool and selecting candidates.

Most online job seekers are familiar with “knockout” questions. These questions typically come early in the application process and are designed to automatically rule out applicants with obvious red flags.

These knockout questions can include:

• Legal and logistics (“Are you legally able to work in the United States?”).
• Basic qualifications (“Do you have a valid Commercial Driver’s License?”).
• Even culture fit (“Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?”).

Answering incorrectly to any of these questions will trigger an automatic rejection without a recruiter even being aware of the application.

Taleo is not unique among top ATS for its knockout questions feature, but it does give recruiters the ability to take auto-rejection to the next level.

Taleo allows recruiters to automatically reject candidates based on the absence or frequency of keywords.

For instance, let’s say a recruiter is using Taleo to sort through applicants for a Sales Development Representative position. If the recruiter knows that the department head doesn’t have time to train new hires on their customer relationship management system Salesforce, they can set a trigger to auto-reject any applicant who doesn’t have at least one mention of “Salesforce” on their resume.

On the flip side, they can also set a trigger to highlight candidates who meet certain criteria. For example, the same recruiter can automatically highlight any candidates who have at least five mentions of “inside sales” on their resume.

This feature isn’t used by every recruiter or company out there, but it’s one of the many options Taleo has available.

iCIMS – Frequency Matters

Like Taleo, iCIMS has been around since the 1990s and is one of most well-known ATS. They have close to 7% of the ATS market and customers that include Amazon, Uber, and Southwest Airlines.

When a recruiter searches their iCIMS candidate database for specific skills and keywords, the default results are sorted based on a match percentage.

Among other considerations, one of the things that determines a candidate’s rank is the number of times the search term appears.

For example, a recruiter’s search for “Content Marketing” might show Jane Smith as a 90% match because she has five mentions of “Content Marketing” on her resume, while Bill Jones is ranked lower at 27% because he only has one mention.

SilkRoad – Job Description “Hot Match”

SilkRoad comes in as the 11th most-used ATS according to Ongig’s research.

SilkRoad features something they call “Hot Match” technology which automatically analyzes and rates applicants’ resumes against active job descriptions. SilkRoad then places applicants into tiers based on match rates of at least 50%, 75%, and 90%.

Recruiters are unlikely to ever see your resume if it ends up in a low tier.

How to Beat the ATS

Whether it’s Taleo’s knockout keywords, iCIMS’s keyword frequency, SilkRoad’s match rates, or many other ATS features, the solution for job seekers is the same.

Tailor your resume to the job description.

Carefully read through the job description to identify keywords and skills that appear most often or seem to be the most important for the job. There are tools online that automate this process.

• Make sure these top keywords are in your resume.
• Use the most important ones multiple times in an authentic way — blatant resume keyword stuffing is a red flag for recruiters.
• Use the exact keywords as they appear in the job description, matching plurals, tense, or verb form in order to get the best match rate.
• Pay close attention to the exact form used (for example, strategy, strategize, strategized, strategist) and be sure to include at least one matching term in your resume or application. If you have space, mix in some variations of these terms to account for manual recruiter searches.

The Bottom Line on How an ATS Works

Most hiring companies use ATS. Acknowledging them and following the right strategies is a sure-fire way to get your resume and application noticed. Only pursue jobs for which you’re actually a good fit. When you find one, take the extra time to craft a resume that emphasizes the same skills and experience found on the job description. Facing ATS in the midst of a job search can be daunting, but the only way past them is to be thoughtful and strategic with your resume.

More About Personal SEO:

• 3 Smart Tips to Beat the ATS Systems
• Choosing the Best Keywords for Your Job Search
• The Top 25 Keywords for Your Job Search
• 12 Steps to Outrank Your Competitors in LinkedIn Search in 2020 (Personal LinkedIn SEO)
• 4 Steps to Leverage LinkedIn Skills & Endorsements for a More Powerful Profile
• How to Be Found by Recruiters on LinkedIn (by a recruiter)

About the author…

Jon Shields is a writer and editor focused on uncovering the hidden obstacles faced by today’s job seekers. He a member of the team at Jobscan, a Seattle-based startup specializing in resume and LinkedIn optimization technology for job seekers. Jon is the managing editor of the Jobscan Blog, which features in-depth articles from himself and expert contributors on the topics of resume writing, applicant tracking systems, LinkedIn for job seekers, and other job search topics. You can follow or connect with Jon on Linkedin.

The post How Application Tracking Systems (ATS) Work appeared first on Job-Hunt.

That, combined with the relative ease of submitting a job application online, has created a problem for job seekers and hiring companies alike.

Any given job opening can result in hundreds of incoming resumes, many of which are from unqualified job hunters who believe they’re playing a numbers game.

“It’s worth a try,” they think. This flood of resumes buries qualified candidates and leaves recruiters unable to keep up.

Instead of sorting through a stack of printed resumes or a cluttered inbox, recruiters at most companies (including 90% of Fortune 500) use applicant tracking systems, or ATS, to keep themselves as organized and efficient as possible.

This software parses the content on incoming resumes and allows recruiters to search and filter the results. Some ATS even automatically rank and assign a score to applicants based on how well their resume matches the job description.

While ATS software lightens the load for recruiters by shrinking the applicant pool and keeping things organized in a CRM-style pipeline, they still leave much to be desired.

Most glaringly, many highly qualified candidates slip right through the cracks with zero consideration.

Why Do Top Candidates Get Lost in Applicant Tracking Systems?

When it comes to job applications, we would like to believe that the cream always rises to the top and the most qualified candidates always land interviews. With perfect and impartial ATS algorithms ranking candidates objectively, one could argue that this should be especially true when technology enters the mix.

But while technology continues to advance, we’re not quite there yet. The ATS algorithms aren’t advanced enough to make nuanced judgements about candidates and the human recruiters pushing the buttons don’t have time to carefully read every incoming resume.

That means great candidates get ignored or rejected for reasons they might not realize. The ATS aren’t out to get you, they just aren’t yet good at what they do.

Job seekers need to work in sync with ATS to avoid falling through the cracks due to word choices, formatting decisions, or other seemingly innocuous choices.

How to Beat the ATS

There are dozens of ATS out there, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and quirks. Following these three tips will help you avoid the most common ATS obstacles.

  1. Optimize Your Resume Keywords

While some less-advanced ATS are simply a repository for downloadable resumes, many top ATS allow the recruiter to search applicants for specific keywords.

The recruiter will often start by searching the job title for which they’re applying.

For example, if they’re hiring a Client Success Manager, it makes sense that they’ll start with applicants who have “Client Success Manager” in their resume and direct, one-to-one experience.

Once they’ve exhausted candidates with previous experience, they will likely search for relevant skills that are in the job description, such as “training” or “presentation.”

Job seekers should analyze the job description to identify the most important titles, hard skills, and other keywords that they should include in their resume. Exact keywords. Most ATS are not advanced enough to distinguish between different tenses, conjugations, or similar terms.

For example, a recruiter’s search for “management” will probably find your resume only if it contains the word “management.”

Sometimes a recruiter doesn’t even need to search. Some of the more advanced ATS automatically compare an applicant’s resume to the job description or pre-assigned skills and assign a ranking. Recruiters can filter the talent pool to see applicants that were ranked highly, ignoring anyone else. Because of this, it’s critical to use the exact keywords found in a job description.

  2. Keep Resume Formatting Simple

When an ATS scrapes an uploaded resume for content and keywords, an applicant’s formatting choices can cause errors or hide data. For example, some ATS struggle to read tables or text boxes on a resume and exclude any data contained within. That information might be critical to your qualifications.

Use a Simple Font

The same thing can happen with unusual fonts. While you might hope that your unique font choice will help you stand out, the reality is that ATS might convert your font to a standard font (like Times New Roman) or, much worse, fail to register skills that are in a font it doesn’t recognize.

Use Standard Section Headings

Some ATS auto-populate fields based on the resume to create a digital applicant profile. The ATS algorithm has to be able to recognize common resume sections in order to do this accurately. This means you shouldn’t get cute with heading titles.

Use basic headings like “Work Experience” or “Professional Experience” that the ATS will have been programmed to recognize, rather than something creative like “Where I’ve Been” or “My Background.”

Format this text simply as a heading or with bold font so as not to obscure it from the ATS.

Use This Simple Sequence for Experience

Sequencing within the work experience section can also make a difference. To account for ATS that try to parse this information, use this order:

Company Name / City and State / Job Title / Start Date – End Date.

In your resume, the sequence would look like this, for example:

• ABC Company, Seattle, WA – Customer Success Manager (Dec. 2012-Present)

  3. Take “Knockout Questions” and Additional Fields Seriously

Knockout questions are built into many ATS and are typically asked early in the job application process. The purpose is to eliminate applicants who are unable or unwilling to perform key job functions, lack required qualifications, or exhibit other red flags.

These questions are designed to keep hiring managers from wasting their time vetting and interviewing applicants who are unlikely to be among their top candidates.

The term “knockout” is not an exaggeration. Some of these questions are programmed to auto-reject candidates who give the “wrong” answer to the question.

For example, a knockout question for an Account Manager job with an employer who uses Salesforce to manage their sales process might be, “Do you have experience with Salesforce?” If the hiring manager has indicated that they don’t want to have to train the new hire on their CRM software, then answering “no” immediately takes the applicant out of the running without the recruiter or hiring manager even looking at the resume.

Avoid “See Resume” Responses

A common complaint from job seekers applying through online applicant tracking systems is that they have to repeat information that is already on their resume. For example, an ATS might have an applicant fill out sections for each of their previous positions.

In this case, do not write “See resume” in these sections! While it may feel redundant, this extra step is an attempt to avoid the resume parsing errors mentioned above. The uploaded resume might be used if a recruiter or hiring manager wishes to print out a physical resume to review or take to the interview, but these other fields are what matters when it comes to searching or ranking.

Take these fields seriously. At a minimum, paste in all the information from your resume. To improve your chances, use these fields to flesh out your skills and experience with content you might have removed from your resume to keep it to one or two pages.

Bottom Line on Beating the ATS

As much as job seekers hate them, applicant tracking systems are here to stay. You might get around them to some degree by taking your job search offline and networking, but it’s hard to avoid them completely.

Don’t fight it. The more you know about ATS and how to work in sync with them, the faster you’ll get through the system, and land an interview.

About the author…

Jon Shields is a writer and editor focused on uncovering the hidden obstacles faced by today’s job seekers. He a member of the team at Jobscan, a Seattle-based startup specializing in resume and LinkedIn optimization technology for job seekers. Jon is the managing editor of the Jobscan Blog, which features in-depth articles from himself and expert contributors on the topics of resume writing, applicant tracking systems, LinkedIn for job seekers, and other job search topics. You can follow or connect with Jon on Linkedin.

The post 3 Smart Tips to Beat the ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

They are convinced that their “advanced age” (30, 40, 50, 60, or more) is causing them problems.

Although I do not doubt that age discrimination exists, I know that the changes in how recruiters work is likely a major factor in causing job search difficulties.

Technology has dramatically changed our lives (used a land-line telephone recently?), and those changes have definitely changed how employers recruit.

Changes in recruiting have changed effective job search Basically, too many job seekers look – and are – out of date, demonstrated when they use out-of-date job search techniques. So, view this as an opportunity to learn more about today’s technology.

Is Your Job Search Too Old Fashioned?

If you are over 40 or it has been more than 2 years since your last job hunt, you are probably unaware of how much recruiting and hiring practices have changed recently, particularly with the growth of social media and also with the tough job market we have been experiencing.

The 5 New Rules of Job Search

Regardless of age, being out-of-date is a very common problem. Fortunately, you can recover! Here are some things you can do to address the issue, and become more up-to-date for your job search and your job.

  1. Focus! 

One of today’s “problems” is too many opportunities! Studies have shown that we humans are almost paralyzed when we have too many choices – which TV show to watch (when you have hundreds of channels), which coffee to order (when it comes in dozens of variations), and on, and on, and on…

Going to a job board and entering only the location is asking for over-load. Waaayyy too many choices! I just typed “Chicago” into Indeed, and it showed me 70,000 jobs! Yikes!

To make your job search more effective, focus on 1 or 2 job titles you really want and at least 10 or 20 employers you would like to work for. Why focus? To increase the probability of using the right words (a.k.a. “keywords”) in your resumes and LinkedIn Profile to be found by recruiters.

Because the right keywords are necessary for recruiters to find you, focus is required.

The best job titles for you to use in your online visibility and resumes are the titles that your target employers use for the job you want. To learn more, read about Personal SEO and Your Top 25 Keywords.

  2. Bring Your “A” Game! 

The way you handle this whole process of applying and interviewing for a job is viewed as an example of your work – which it is!

Use great care with all of your interactions with an employer or recruiter. Take the time to craft your best response rather than hurriedly attaching your resume to a one-sentence email with a subject that simply (and very unhelpfully) says, “Resume Attached” or “Applying.”

Standing out from the crowd in a positive way is NOT optional. Leverage the technology currently available, and you will also prove that you are not out-of-date.

Applications —

Apply ONLY for jobs which are a good “fit” for you, where you meet at least 50% of the stated requirements. Sitting at a computer, hitting the apply button is easy and habit forming, but it is not necessarily the best approach.

But, applying for jobs that you aren’t qualified for tells employers that you are applying for anything/everything and aren’t really interested in them or their job. They aren’t impressed.

Resumes –

Resumes have changed substantially with the availability of technology. An old-fashioned resume with an “Objective” statement stamps “OUT-OF-DATE” on your forehead!

Most employers expect that you can use word processing software well enough to customize your resume and cover letter specifically for them. Using one generic work-history version of your resume for all opportunities doesn’t work well today.

Networking –

Studies show that the person who is referred by an employee is hired 5 times more often than the stranger who simply applies. So, focus that networking on your target employers (or a class of employers).

Find those former colleagues who you worked with well in the past. Or that great boss you had 2 jobs ago. Where are they working now? Are they hiring?

For help with networking, read these Job Search Networking articles.

Interviewing –

Be very well-prepared. Expect to be asked, “So, what do you know about us?” and have a good answer ready based on your research on the employer’s website as well as what Google and LinkedIn show you.

Prepare positive answers to the standard interview questions, particularly for any “soft spots” you have, like gaps in your employment history, being fired, or anything questionable about your recent work history that could raise concern for an employer.

Also, of course, have answers ready for the standard interview questions, like “Why do you want to work here?” “Why should we hire you?” Read Smart Answers to Interview Questions to know the questions, review sample answers, and be well-prepared — as expected today

  3. Be Visible! 

Being invisible in a Google or LinkedIn search is like another OUT-OF-DATE stamp on your forehead!

Employers use search engines to research job applicants more than 80% of the time, according to recent studies.

They are looking for “social proof” that you are who you say you are, have done what you say you have done, would fit in well, and understand how to use the Internet for business. If they don’t find that corroboration, they move on to the next candidate.

If you Google your name and find nothing about you on the first page or – at a minimum – the first 3 pages, this is a problem for you!

Yes, it is better than having photos of you drunk at a party, but a lack of online visibility brands you as out-of-date (unless you are in some sort of super-secret profession, like spy).

Invisibility also makes you vulnerable to mistaken identity. Oh, that person who has the same name you have and stole money from his or her last employer isn’t you? An employer doing a quick Google search would not know it wasn’t you, and, most likely, they would not take the time to find out.

For more information on how to be visible in Google and LinkedIn searches, read the Personal Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and LinkedIn SEO articles. The right keywords for you are the difference between being visible to recruiters or not.

  4. Join and Be Active on LinkedIn! 

LinkedIn is an excellent venue for managing professional/work visibility. LinkedIn is usually # 1 – or very near # 1 – on any search of a person’s name on a search engine. And, YOU control what it tells the world about you!

Your LinkedIn Profile needs to be “All Star” (100% complete).

Focus on describing (and quantifying) your accomplishments in each of your jobs for the last 15 years. Skip the dates on schools that are more than 20 years behind you.

Pay attention to the terms you use in your Profile so that you don’t look out of date.

For example, very few employers describe their computer system jobs as “MIS” (management information systems). The term used now is “IT” (information technology). Terminology has changed for many other professions too — be sure that you use the current terminology.

LinkedIn will help you reconnect with those former colleagues, co-workers, and bosses, creating opportunities for you by posting updates and writing articles to demonstrate what you know. LinkedIn will provide much of the “social proof” most employers are seeking.

Read the 10 Elements of an Effective LinkedIn Profile and 4 Ways to Find Jobs on LinkedIn from the LinkedIn Job Search Guide to understand how to be successful in LinkedIn. For help creating an effective LinkedIn Profile, read 12 Steps to Outrank Your Competitors in LinkedIn Search in 2020 (Personal LinkedIn SEO) and Maximize Your LinkedIn Professional Headline.

  5. Pay Attention! 

We don’t live in a static world. Set up Google Alerts for news about your target employers, industries, profession, locations, technologies, competitors, and anything else relevant to your job search and career. Staying up-to-date is essential today.

When you are at the employer’s location as for a job interview, notice how it is organized, how well-kept the environment is, whether or not the employees seem stressed, how safe the location is, and whatever else is a concern for you.

Carefully consider whether or not you would like working for, or with, the people who are interviewing you.

If you don’t pay attention to what is going on, you could be looking for a job in the wrong place at the wrong time. You don’t want to be the last person hired before the layoffs begin or the person looking for a job in a field that has disappeared.

Read “5 Ways to Use Google Alerts for Your Job Search” and “50 Google Searches to Avoid Layoffs and Bad Employers” for more information.

Onward!

Catch up with these New Rules so you don’t look out-of-date because looking out-of-date is probably hurting you more than your age. The good news is that by becoming more up-to-date for your job search, you’ll be more up-to-date for your job! So, you should be more successful once you land.

We’re never too old to learn something new – it keeps us young!

This Guide is comprised of the articles and resources you see in the column on the right, ranging from Job Search Advantages of Being Over 50 to Find Part-Time Jobs with Benefits, Goal Setting for Your Success Plan, and MORE!

If you are interested in breaking out of the standard 9 to 5 job, read the articles in the Guide to Freelance and Independent Contractor Jobs. and check out the Guide to the Temporary Work Option.

Meet more of Job-Hunt’s Job Search Experts.

More About Fifty Plus Job Search

• Over 50: 5 Ways You Look Out-of-Date
• Beating the “Too Old” Bias: Being Visibly Up-to-Date
• Beating the “Too Old” Bias, Learning New Skills
• Job Search Advantages of Being Over 50
• Find Part-Time Jobs with Benefits
• Goal Setting for Your Success Plan
• Find Part-Time Jobs with Benefits

About the author…

Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a recent Visiting Scholar at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Susan is a two-time layoff “graduate” who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. Since 1998, Susan has been editor and publisher of Job-Hunt.org. Follow Susan on Twitter at @jobhuntorg and on Facebook, LinkedIn.
More about this author…

The post Guide to Successful Job Search for Job Seekers Over 50 appeared first on Job-Hunt.