Streamlining Your Job Board Searches

Whether you’re working full time or unemployed, searching for available positions on the job boards is still an important feature of your job search. In 2011, job boards are still a reasonably priced means of communicating employer’s open positions to the masses of job seekers that rest beyond their own database. But how do you know which boards to use?

Every day more job boards are started and employers enter into new contracts with them to test the waters and expand their candidate pool. How on earth can you possibly keep an updated list of which boards are appropriate for your niche and desired role? While we’re sure there are ways, there’s simply no need.

Just like Google, there are job board search engines that are created for the simple purpose of identifying any relevant position to your search, regardless of what board it may appear on. They work just like any board’s search terms would. You choose your location, travel distance and enter the keywords that have been successful in resourcing applicable positions for you. The aggregate will pull-up the positions that are most closely matching your requests, bringing every known and unknown posting site to your desktop in a nice, easy list!

Once you have confirmed these are the right searches for you, you may take this one step further by automating your search. You may schedule daily delivery of any newly posted positions right to your very own Inbox. Think about the amount of time you’ll save, avoiding jumping from site to site, keeping track of which keywords you entered last…instead, step 1 - open your email, step 2 - read the brief listing and by step 3 - you’re already considering the actual position and company. Work smart and hard, not just hard!

To learn more about these search aggravates, email Jennifer@CaterpillarCareerConsultants.com

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.

Q & A: What's wrong with my resume?!

Q: I've posted my resume on all the major job boards, I've sent it to dozens of job openings, and am not getting any calls. I've never experienced this before and feel lost! What's wrong with my resume?!

A: Every resume is different, but here are the top 5 questions to ask yourself if your current resume isn't getting the attention it deserves.

1- Is your resume updated and current?

No one wants to read an inaccurate or outdated resume. If you're not working, no where on your resume should read "to Present." And if you are working, is it up to date with today's information?

2- Is your resume consistent?

Review your formatting! Do your margins match? Are your dates aligned and written in the same way? Is your email address hyperlinked and contact information correct? Do you have periods at the end of EVERY bullet? These examples are just as critical as spelling mistakes and typos.

3- Has it been proofread by someone other than you?

Every editor needs an editor! The more you work with your resume, the more likely you are to miss a typo or an incorrect verb tense. Always have someone you trust review your resume before you send it or post it online.

4- How long is your resume?

How much time do you think prospective employers actually spend reading a resume? The rule of thumb these days with resumes is a two page maximum (with few exceptions). If you have less than 10 years of professional experience, one page is more than enough. Remember, a resume highlights your talents and should strongly introduce Your Message, allowing you to elaborate on the details during the interview.

5- NO TEMPLATES!!

This is your only chance to effectively communicate Your Message, so make a lasting impression on the hiring manager. Don't allow your resume blend into the masses with a generic MS Resume Wizard template. Be unique, just like you!

A resume is your introduction, describing who you are as a professional and makes the very first impression on hiring managers. The best resumes are updated, easy to read and should communicate a clear message. When done well, this leaves the prospective employer wanting to know more about you and your experience.

Take a moment to send us a copy of your resume for a complimentary Resume Review and see how your resume stands-up in today's market through the eyes of a trained HR professional.

I'm getting laid off and don't know where to begin...

Q: I’ve been working with the same company for several years and have just been told that my position is being relocating overseas before the end of the year. Now that I’ve gotten beyond the initial shock, what can I do to prepare for today’s job market?

A: Start with a deep breath and a little determination, the road ahead is not hard too navigate with a little guidance. These basic steps can start you moving in the right direction.

1) Do your homework and get familiar… with yourself!

Determine your Wants vs. Needs. By making this distinction, it will help you to make good decisions as you search for that new job. Get to know your strengths and weaknesses. “To thine own self be true” is best served when you are pursuing your talents and respecting your own limitations. Begin reviewing what types of positions may be a suitable fit to your overall experiences and compliments both your professional and personal goals.

2) Update your Resume and draft a general Cover Letter as your introduction.

It’s always better to do your resume without a pressing deadline looming. Start with an historical timeline and then build on your experiences with bulleted items. We suggest doing so in several shorter writing sessions, allowing you time to re-think and edit the final version.

3) Practice Interviewing.

Just like riding a bike, if you haven’t interviewed in a while, it may seem awkward at first. Look for new or hot Qs that are commonly being used in today’s market, review your resume, and practice well-paced answers avoiding “ums” and long pauses.

4) Update your social networking profiles and your online presence.

First, be sure your profiles on web sites like LinkedIn to Facebook match content from your updated resume. Second, be sure you review your published content for professionalism. While job searching, it’s critical to filter your image, as your name will be Googled before anyone calls you for an interview. Third, begin to review your contacts and explore all of the new connections that may assist your search, i.e. a friend of friend who works for that ideal employer and can make employee referral introduction.

5) Begin your search now, it can take some time.

Partner with a professional Career Coach. We can help you uncover jobs that aren’t posted online and help you streamline your search. Meet with local Recruiters to ensure that they are continually working on your search when you can not be. Lastly, work hard and smart by using job search engines like Indeed.com. These sites can compile jobs from all kinds of sites and have daily email alerts sent to directly you. Better you review and apply to each job there then spend time hitting countless sites and trying to remember which keyword you used last.

With each day ahead, take small steps towards your professional future. Remember, some days may offer a great return and have you preparing for exciting interviews, while others may not so rejoice over the small accomplishments along the way and stay positive. You can and will achieve your goals, as long as you believe in yourself!

Q: Is the job market recovering at all?

Q: In this economy, I’m always hearing about job losses and rising unemployment rates. Is anyone hiring? What are you seeing out there? Is the job market recovering at all?

A: Good question! The job market is moving along steadily. It’s important to remember, people are hiring but in different ways than years past.

In part what Caterpillar does is assist busy, hard-working people with managing the many steps of conducting a successful job search. Searching while working full time with overtime being a standard for so many, makes it tricky to put time needed into an effective search while still having quality time to yourself or with family and friends. By compartmentalizing the steps and working as a team with our coaches, our clients manage to keep a little work/life balance and still feel accomplished having also given their efforts towards the future of their careers and professional goals.

Caterpillar Career Consultants helps you be your professional best.

From Want-Ads to Want-Me!

Just ten years ago, job seekers awakened early Sunday morning to rush down to their corner store for the Want-Ads classified section of the local newspaper. Eagerly, the unemployed would read the 30 words or less and rush off to the local fax machine, crossing their fingers the whole time. We knew very little about the prospective opportunity, but had high hopes and pushed on.


In 2009, very few companies even consider buying a print ad in their local newspaper or Want-Ads – they’re almost ancient history. Corporate job descriptions now boil over with details and dreams of their ideal hire. While frustrated HR professionals often choose to not post these jobs online after previously being flooded with unqualified candidates time and time again.


So how are people getting hired for the job that they can’t even find? Instead of focusing on Want-Ads and online postings, successful job seekers focus their energies on self-promotion campaigning, ergo “Want-Me.” Nobody knows you better than yourself, so who better than you to communicate your story and message to the marketplace? No one!

Through a combination of traditional techniques and new media marketing, create a campaign targeting your desired audience of prospective employers and have a-go. In more than 15 years of recruiting, never once did I say, “…oh no, someone sent me their resume with a cover letter of introduction!”

With every send, you’re taking another step closer to your long-term goal, forging new business relationships all along the way. Our career coaches are specialists who will work with you through your campaign, guiding your path, helping you jump the hurdles and land firmly on both feet. It all starts with the first small step, speak with a qualified career coach now…after all, your competition is.