Well, the one job search strategy that needs no prediction is a professional resume. Despite all the online branding and social media tools that can boast about your capabilities, a successful job search always starts with a well-written resume.
When you are confident that you are the right fit for the job, take the extra steps to make sure your professional resume lives up to your reputation. When your resume is functioning like a real career marketing document, it tells a compelling and concise story about your career background and related career contributions.
Take a close look at your existing resume. Is it packed with job tasks and work responsibilities, but low on impact? If yes, then be prepared for a very long job search.
Effective resumes tells a great story, cover the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and WHY of your career journey and answer these key questions:
- What can you offer employers that would be an asset to them?
- Why should employers consider you over others applying for the same jobs?
- What are your five primary attributes that would help you in your profession?
- Have you received any special awards or special recognition for outstanding performance in any area?
- Why were you hired, recruited or promoted for each of the positions you held?
- Was there a specific challenge, business problem or market issue that you needed to address?
- What are your top three accomplishments for each position?
- How did your company benefit from having you as an employee?
- What recommendations or solutions did you make that your company adopted?
- What were the biggest business hurdles/challenges you overcame at each position?