Allan Yu
Job searching is a multi-step process that requires problem-solving with insight and determination. Sometimes by diving in using outdated methods, results for job seekers can be misspent effort and errors that need to be fixed to produce positive outcomes.
The famous inventor of the first practical telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, is attributed to saying “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the one that has opened for us.” Job searching in 2021 can be like this for many job seekers. We encourage you to be mindful of the following three job search issues and take new actions so you can open new employment doors. These points should become part of your job search plan along with a dose of persistence and patience.
1. Spending too much time writing your resume.
Are you devoting the greatest amount of your daily job search time rewriting your resume? Are you trying to showcase your skills using current buzzwords so your application can pass applicant tracking systems? Do you rarely hear back from employers?
New Action: If your answers are “yes”, then it is time to connect with an Employment Ontario Career Specialist at Achēv. They assist job seekers with creating a general template and provide advice on how to mention professional milestones that a new employer might value. Our Career Specialists will encourage you to spend most of your time networking and following up on new contacts to increase referrals. One referral might become that special person who passes your resume to a hiring decision-maker so you can secure an interview.
2. Limiting yourself by answering job postings.
Answering job postings with a customized cover letter and resume is only a very small step in a job search plan. Statistics prove that there is only a 5% success rate of securing a job interview if you are a stranger answering a job posting.
New Action: Also, according to recent statistics, more than 80% of all jobs are never posted online. They are only available to people who network. Your Achēv Career Specialist supports job seekers by promoting the value of researching online networks and conducting informational meetings or coffee chats. By spending time developing professional relationships you can open new employment possibility doors, discover fresh ideas and overcome shyness. Focusing on finding potential contacts is one of the best steps to incorporate into your job search plan and can turn limitations into helpful resources.
3. Creating a basic LinkedIn profile.
Did you create your LinkedIn profile a few years ago and has it just been sitting there ever since? Is there no photo or banner background photo posted? If you know your LinkedIn profile is lacking, you know what the next “new action” will be!
New Action: It is time to either add impressive words and photos on your LinkedIn profile or take it down altogether. How you present yourself on LinkedIn gives the potential employer an idea about your productivity, creativity and potential. LinkedIn is constantly adding new features to better showcase job seekers, so you need to keep current with this platform. For example, be sure to turn on the “#open to work” feature that goes around your photo. Experts state that if you do not plan on using a LinkedIn profile, it is better not to have one. To learn more about LinkedIn, attend a webinar at Achēv or speak to an Employment Ontario Career Specialist about how you can improve it.
In summary, if you are struggling with your job search and want to problem solve so new doors will open, be sure to consider these three new actions. They are only a few steps in a process that will always require persistence, patience, and a plan.
Achēv Employment Ontario services are currently provided remotely at six locations across Toronto, North York, Mississauga and Brampton. Plan to contact Achēv today to start shifting your job search in a positive direction.
This blog was written by Lisa Trudel, Career Specialist, Achēv.
