The obvious answer may be that there was a better candidate. While you may have felt you were perfect for the job, there may have been another candidate with direct industry experience or the hiring manager may have chosen an internal candidate, making for an easier hire. You may have been rejected because you happen to look like a disliked relative or because there was another candidate with a distinct advantage—perhaps one with a connection to the hiring manager or a senior executive.

Perhaps no one was hired. Budgets change, needs change and business changes. If you discover that the job requisition was withdrawn, be sure to stay in contact with the target employer. You may still be hired at a later date and, by remaining fresh in the recruiter’s mind, you can be an easy hire once the requisition reopens.

And here’s another tip: sometimes new hires get terminated or leave of their own volition within a few weeks or months—and this can happen at any level from front desk receptionist to CEO. If you know you were one of the top candidates and still want to work for that employer, write a brief note explaining your continuing interest in the position if the selected candidate doesn’t work out for any reason.

Put what you’ve learned here into perspective. Yes, job search can be brutal, so don’t drive yourself crazy trying to figure out why you didn’t land the job. Take that energy and apply it towards the next opportunity and use the strategies mentioned here for a better outcome.

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

It’s incredibly easy to fall into the norm of online job search. Select some industry specific websites, a few associations you belong to, and don’t forget Monster and Career Builder, the largest career sites. For efficiency, you can set up alerts so that new job postings are sent directly to your inbox. Perhaps there are some organizations that you’ve targeted whose job postings you are monitoring. It’s so easy – right? You sit behind a computer and continue to fruitlessly search and apply, search and apply.

Well, what many people don’t talk about is that you are one of hundreds—sometimes thousands—of others who are applying for the same positions. Sure, you may have more experience, a better resume, or stellar achievements, but you are a single data record in a massive database. Online job searching can and does work, but it does not work for everyone and it is often not the best use of your search time.

So why not try another strategy? A client of mine who had been wanting to advance his career for some time did just that. He had spent quite a bit of time pursuing online job postings, but his efforts (and time invested) didn’t pay off, so he took a chance. He made a phone call to a competitor with whom he had a business relationship.

He reached out and shared his interest in joining the new company, an expression of interest that led to a lunch meeting with a manager and then two rounds of intense interviews. He put a lot of work and energy into the interview process, but he would have never had the opportunity without taking a chance on making that initial phone call. The company had no job posting and was not searching for anyone. My client focused on how he could add value and the strategy worked! He took a chance and won the advancement.

Technology has become such an overwhelming part of our lives that we tend to forget that something simple—and old fashioned like a phone call—can smooth the way and achieve the desired result!

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

If you have an accounting degree, have worked in several accounting-related positions and are looking for an accounting position, then your resume will be straightforward. If your academic background is in a scientific displine, you worked in healthcare for a few years and then transitioned into a non-healthcare related sales position, you should carefully present information and skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. No recruiter will read through paragraphs of unrelated matter to figure out how to apply your skills.

Think of alternate ways to organize your resume so that relevant, or related, experience appears first. If you apply for a teaching position and there is no mention of teaching experience until the second page of your resume, you will likely be overlooked. Using headings like “teaching experience” and “other experience” allows you to show related experience early on your resume.

You may also need more than one version of your resume to fit each type of position you apply for. Recruiters scan though resumes very quickly and if you do not present the information they’re looking for in the role they are looking to fill in a readily visible place, you can bet they won’t take the time to read through the rest of your resume.

If you have held many types of positions but have transferable skills for the position sought, you want to provide a brief highlight section that mentions those transferable skills (which can often be obtained from job posting information).

For some applicants that don’t fare well in the rigid Applicant Tracking Systems that most employers use today, networking may be the best and only option.

Facing a unique formatting challenge that you need to overcome? Ask me!

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

“I have an interview tomorrow for a job I really want . . . can you write me a resume?” The sad answer is, unfortunately, “no can do.” My typical turnaround is 2 weeks, sometimes longer.

What does your inabiity to deliver tell a recruiter or potential employer? You have failed to plan for opportunity. No matter how stellar your achievements, you are unprepared and unprofessional. If you are the “purple squirrel” candidate with unique talents, you might be able to stall and send your resume after the interview. But don’t rely on this strategy to impress the hiring decision maker, especially if you’re competing against hundreds (or potentially thousands) of other candidates.

Why allow golden opportunity to pass you by? Keep an ongoing list of achievements that you can update quarterly, making resume revisions quick and easy.

If you’ve never had to use a resume to secure a position, you are in for a rude awakening. Very few candidates can get by without one in today’s ultra competitive job market—whatever your educational, professional or achievement level. Timing is critical; opportunities come and go. You must be ready to seize opportunity when the recruiter calls or another candidate will reap the benefit. Hijacking your executive assistant (or wife) to write your resume is a losing strategy. Resume writing is an art, not a science. There’s much more to a powerful resume than formatting and spelling.

Powerful personal marketing documents that showcase your talents are well worth the investment, one that pays off in future earnings and career advancement. What’s it worth to you to get that promotion and the increased salary that goes with it? How much are you willing to give up in future earnings because your resume, cover letter and bio don’t reflect your true value? Call today to schedule an appointment with someone who knows how to position you for that career opportunity you’ve been waiting for. There will never be a better time!

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

Here are some things you can do to stand out in a positive way:

• Submit a thoughtful, well-written cover letter that shows your personality and business acumen by focusing on the employer’s needs and your understanding of current challenges in your field or industry. If your cover letter is bland and uninspiring, it may not be read entirely and your resume may get only a quick glance—or none at all.

• A quality resume can give you an early lead in the competition. If you are stymied and can’t afford professional help, see what the best resume writers in the business do by viewing samples included in books written by career professionals . . . and review your documents very carefully to make sure you haven’t included inadvertent spelling errors.

• Think of your LinkedIn profile as a resource where recruiters and hiring managers can find you. That means you must do more than simply list past employment. Ensure your profile is up to date and fully completed. Include a professional photo, strong summary and achievements. Ask colleagues or clients that know you well to recommend you.

• Be prepared to perform well in an interview. We offer interview coaching to help our clients succeed, but you can also find a list of interview questions online and practice with a friend. Be prepared to answer difficult questions regarding your work history and, just as importantly, show confidence in your ability to perform the job and enthusiasm for the position.

• Step out of your comfort zone. Networking does not come easily for most of us, but when a hiring manager receives a resume from a colleague, you have a much greater of its being seen by a decision maker. You can also request a brief meeting over coffee to introduce yourself to a hiring manager and express your interest in the company. Getting “face time” in this way can make a very favorable impression and help you remain foremost in the hiring manager’s mind . . . ahead of the competition.

Have some other tips that have served you well? I invite you to share them with our readers!

Fiercely competitive cultures where colleagues are kept at arm’s length are not conducive to teamwork, a concept that most employers today embrace. Making emotional connections (and making yourself vulnerable) is essential in getting others to freely share ideas, knowledge and insights without fear of retribution or rejection. Your business/project/assignment depends not only on your contribution, but on the contributions of others as well. Want your employees or subordinates to align with company mission and goals? Let them know that you value and respect them: take an interest in them as individuals and make an effort to connect well.

What are your leadership challenges? Are you working for a leader that you admire and respect? If yes, what traits of the leader do you admire most? I invite your comments!

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

Since every employer is in business to make a profit, they expect that you will return more than you cost. There will be the inevitable downturns in the business cycle when employers are forced to increase productivity, change their business model, tighten their belts, find work to keep their employees busy and access new sources of revenue (customers). So how can you establish limits for a potential employer?

You apply to jobs that match your skills, abilities and energy level. Avoid applying for positions in industries where you’ll have to work unusual hours, long days, on weekends or holidays, etc. Do your research and ask good questions in the interview to identify a potential employer’s performance expectations. How are work schedules determined and how is work allocated? How productive was the last person in the job? Did s/he always finish the workload within 40 hours or were there often nights and weekends involved? How helpful are coworkers? Is this an environment where everyone takes their work seriously and pitches in to get the job done or are the same people routinely given the lion’s share of responsibility? Is the work divided equally? What challenges does the department/business unit face? How intense is the competition and what is the employer putting in place to overcome that? Would the interviewer mind if you spoke with the department supervisor . . . the employee that is in the job now? Why did the last person who held the job leave?

You are in control of your career. You decide whether or not to take a position based on your research and the information you obtain in the interview. That’s it. If you are offered a job you don’t want to do or where you must report to someone with whom you suspect there will be a personality conflict, you decline the offer. You only need one job. Be selective; you have much to gain by finding a position that meets your needs and much to lose by taking a position that will exhaust you, upset you or make you physically or emotionally sick.

Have a personal job search experience to share? I invite your comments!

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

That’s a lot of people looking for work at the same time! One of my clients recently shared the perception that employers are beginning to hire . . . showing confidence and enthusiasm in interviews is critical in getting job offers. So how do you overcome lack of confidence or the anger that bubbles up when you think about your current work situation? Altering what you focus on can restore both your confidence and your enthusiasm. Focusing on what you can control helps. Choosing to reflect a positive attitude in adversity also helps, if only to give the perception that you’ll be productive and pleasant to work with.

By spending wait time between jobs productively, you’ll stay motivated, be a more interesting conversationalist and will also have some personal goals and achievements to discuss and take pride in. If you’ve endured an extended unemployment period, you’ll have positives to share with recruiters who inevitably ask how you’ve spent the time since your layoff or termination.

Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your transition time:

1. Read Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson, M.D. to learn why you need to adapt to thrive.
2. Get healthy: get a checkup, lose weight, exercise, get enough sleep and establish healthy eating habits to increase energy, stamina and mental acuity.
3. Take a class; learn something new that will increase your knowledge, upgrade your skills and make you more valuable—to your current employer or the next one.
4. Spend quality time with the people you love. You can overcome a lot of workplace unhappiness with supportive personal relationships.
5. Volunteer for a nonprofit whose mission you support. This is also a great way to gain leadership experience to position yourself for advancement.
6. Join a networking group or revive lapsed relationships; there’s no better way to find your next opportunity at any step on the career ladder.
7. Get a makeover and update your wardrobe to give yourself an emotional lift and improve confidence in your appearance.
8. Research companies where you’d like to work; you’ll be better prepared to ask intelligent questions, key to making a good impression during interviews.
9. Update your resume. If you can’t do it yourself, find a credentialed professional writer who can provide a great payback on your investment.
10. Forgive the employer that has mistreated/underpaid/terminated you. Candidates with a positive, “can-do” attitude attract offers.

And here’s one final tip: if you don’t get the offer but know someone else that would be perfect for the job, speak up and offer a referral (and make a friend for life). Want to share a helpful tip? I welcome your thoughts.

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

Waiting until savings have run out and the house is in jeopardy to reach out for professional help.

Remaining angry over a negative performance review or “unfair” termination.

Inability or unwillingness to set goals and be held accountable for progress.

Lack of confidence, optimism and enthusiasm.

Not building and maintaining a productive network or avoiding networking altogether.

Relying on out-dated application methods rather than social media in an age of global connectedness.

Applying blindly for positions they are clearly unqualified for.

Maintaining the status quo rather than adapting to a changed environment.

Using online application as the sole job search method.

Paralysis by perfectionism; wasting opportunities by constantly “fine tuning” personal marketing documents.

Focusing on experience rather than value.

Lacking a clear job target; not wanting to “narrow” the possibilities.

Do you see yourself here? What are you willing to do to change your perspective . . . and your results?

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com