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Online chat: Job Search Strategy to Find a Job NOW

I’m hosting this week’s HireFriday chat on Twitter. January 6th Noon ET, 11 Central, 9am Pacific. Details on the HireFriday site.

The perfect job search requires mastering a number of skills: career goals, assessment tools, resume writing, cover letters, references, networking, interviewing, salary negotiation, work/life balance, etc. There are hundreds of books and thousands of articles teaching these skills. You could read and practice for years.

But you don’t have years. You need a job now.

So today, we’re going to talk about job search strategy for the real world, not the perfect world. Job search tactics that reflect what’s missing from most advice: a sense of urgency!

Q1: How do you know what job search tactics are a priority?

Q2: How often do you change your job search tactics?

Q3: What job search tactics seem too time-consuming or difficult?

Q4: Who do you call first to build a network?

Q5: What online job search resource produces fastest results?

Hosted HireFriday chat on Resumes

Yesterday I was guest host of the HireFriday discussion on Twitter (search for #HFChat). Career thought leaders and HR pros gathered to discuss ‘Reinventing the Resume’. The discussion centered around 4 questions:

How do you describe yourself in 160 words or less?
What are advantages of a virtual resume?
What keywords should you consider and which to avoid?
What social media info can be useful on a resume?

A lot of cutting-edge ideas were introduced. I plan to analyze and elaborate on some of the better insights in the days to come. Meanwhile, the transcript is here if you’d like the information in raw form!

Security Clearance and Military Job Search Links

I put this quick list together for a client with Top Secret security clearance (TS/SCI, or sensitive compartmented information). That’s an asset valued in the low six figures by certain employers, right off the bat, so it’s a good idea to put it to work in your search. Second, it signals that you’ve already been through a rigorous background check. Third, it’s a mark of integrity, accountability, and leadership that you’ve been placed in a position of such trust. Finally, security clearance gives you access to more exclusive job boards and more exclusive opportunities, which tend to be higher quality.

What resources would you add to this list?

McDonald’s Hiring Day and Resume Writing

On April 19th, McDonald’s announced it was hiring 50,000 new employees in one day. I thought I’d share an example of what such experience can become on a resume. I’ve made this anonymous, stripping away some telling details and metrics. This worked very well for a client, and shows that a “McJob” can become a solid entry on your resume.

McDONALD’S

ASSISTANT MANAGER

Instrumental in marketing, business development, and daily operations of high-volume restaurant. Supervised 75 employees, from managers to first-time, entry-level employees. Managed hiring, performance evaluations, personnel actions, scheduling, cost control, ordering, inventory management, and cash handling.

Introduced several new community-based marketing initiatives, including lunch programs at local schools, bike safety events hosted by McDonald’s and local police department, and local tie-ins with national promotional campaigns.

Created incentive and peer review programs to reduce absenteeism and turnover.

Promoted to management from initial hire as counter person/customer service. Demonstrated initiative, professionalism, and desire to take on greater responsibilities.

Under Construction!

Finally, I can say the overhaul of the site is underway. I’ve installed WordPress as a content management system, and ResumeGuru.com is evolving into a resource for delivering answers tailored to your needs and managing your career.

Things look a little bare around here right now, but I’m working hard to finish the foundations. Please ignore the hammering and sawing sounds. Much more to come in a few days.

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Security Clearance & Military Job Links