Staying Fresh in a Stale Job Market…

Yes, while it’s often true that you could probably make more money collecting unemployment. And is flipping burgers or stocking shelves really going to add to your resume? Probably not. So what do you do to keep your skills sharp and still stay active?

Many communities have numerous ways for professional adults to continue their education. Take a look at some of the Adult Education course given at your local high school. I don’t know QuickBooks, and many of us are little rusty on Office 2007, so why not take that evening class at the high school? I’m sure you’ll learn a lot and think of what a great addition to your resume something like QuickBooks would be. Adult Education courses are usually free or have a nominal fee to cover basic costs. And of course, it’s another opportunity to network. But act quickly; these courses usually fill up quickly.

If you are not finding the level of coursework you need at your local high school or community group, check out your local college or universities. Perhaps you can take courses that advance and enhance your current career. It will show perspective employers that you do have a passion for your field and that you are willing to stay current on topics related to your profession. Many college and universities offer courses specifically designed to accommodate working, or unfortunately not working, professionals. Something else to explore is additional certifications. Many industries require additional certifications and training. So get that PHR, C++, PMP or Medical Coder certification while you have the time. It’s much better than sitting at home and will eventually get you more salary when you do get back to the workplace.

Finally, look at some volunteer opportunities. Participate in a community event, walk dogs at an animal shelter or give some time to a charity or non-profit that has positively affected you in some way. Find something that has touched your life or something that you’ll really enjoy, and get involved. If your area of expertise is marketing, than show that local non-profit how to effectively market their events and see how good you feel when they raise a record amount of money. There are so many organizations that need your professional expertise; and it may lead to your next interview. Many professionals give back to their communities and would like to be considered an example to others. So it’s a great chance to meet people in a social setting and network. And with your involvement clearly visible on your resume, it could be that the company you interview with is also affiliated with that organization. And you never know who you’ll meet at that next walk-a-ton, so start hitting the treadmill now.

Of course, always have your resume, references and sales pitch ready. If you are active, involved and have access to influential people, then there’s no excuse not to offer your skills, especially when the benefits could be more than a warm feeling, but could lead to your next job.

If you are searching for a job and not working, you MUST have business cards! In this wireless world, handing someone your resume & cover letter in most settings just doesn't work. However a business card noting your contact info and a blurb as to your talents & niche is perfect, handy and very professional.

How Important Are Keywords In Your Resume?

Consider your current resume for a moment. It’s your very first opportunity to make a positive impression on a prospective employer. You’ve worked diligently on communicating your successes and adding up all your accomplishments, and there’s no doubt in your mind that the message is clear and your phone will shortly ring with interest.

But before anyone can dial your number, they have to find it first!

It’s critical that recruiters can easily locate your resume and today that means working with technology to effectively communicate your story. Whether posting your resume to web sites like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com, or applying to a company of interest, you must speak in a language that highlights keywords as a means of conveying your experience behind the scenes.

Keywords are how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) identify you as a possible “match” to the desired skills and experience an employer is seeking. When a recruiter starts a search and enters selected words that compliment their targeted candidate, each and every word they choose will greatly effect what groups of candidates appear in their search results, much like a traditional search engine. In other words, if you don’t have the words on your resume they have chosen to search, they will never know of your well-crafted resume and your phone will not ring.

So how can you be sure your information is being seen by the right recruiters or hiring managers? One, do your homework. With many resources to choose from, dig in and learn which keywords are most commonly desired for your niche. Two, choose your keywords carefully. Just because a common term is used within a particular industry, doesn’t mean it’s definitely a fit for you professionally. Three, use keywords, acronyms and punctuation carefully. Remember with Boolean search rules, how your write your keywords is also important, like slashes for example. If you listed marketing/advertising, a recruiter searching marketing or advertising would not find you had you written the above. Lastly, use your keywords, don’t just list them. Once the software finds you and lists you as a candidate, the human recruiter will then be reading your resume.

Proper use of keywords will also demonstrate your depth and knowledge of any given industry or profession. When used incorrectly, your resume will make you seem amateurish, unqualified and will not be a good representation of your experiences. When used correctly and in the right context, keywords will accentuate your credentials and reinforce to potential employers that you are the ideal candidate for the job.

When crafting a successful resume, be sure to use different combinations of keywords and variations of job responsibilities. For example, if you were a Customer Service Manager, use terms such as “client services,” “customer support,” technical assistance” and so on. They all mean the same thing basically, but it expands on the frequency and variations of keywords so your resume will show up in searches more often.

Qualifying and detailing your unique experience using appropriate keywords will not only hit the mark, but allow your individual skills and talents to stand out from the masses and entice the recruiter to finally pick up that phone.