Revive a stalled job search for 2012

Well I know the holidays are on your mind right now, but have you thought about what you’d like to create for your career and yourself in 2012?

The New Year is fast approaching, and it’s a wonderful time to make a fresh start, so use the holidays to think about strategies to revive a stalled job search for 2012.

Every year, I receive calls and emails from potential clients that are really down in the dumps about their job hunting, having no success whatsoever when sending out applications for government or private sector jobs.

After reviewing their applications and talking with them about their job search, it becomes evident that the majority are missing out on jobs, due to poor responses to selection criteria, not applying for relevant positions and poor job search techniques.

So if you are unhappy with the job search activities in 2011, here are some tips for 2012, which will help revive your job search for 2012.

Take a good hard look at your resume and selection criteria

Like it or not, these documents are your key to obtaining an interview and your only chance to make a good first impression. Competition is really tough for government jobs, so before you put pen to paper, make sure you are suitably qualified so you are only targeting those jobs in which there is a good chance that a well written application will get you through to interview. I strongly suggest that you touch base with the contact officer and obtain more information about the position, including ascertaining whether someone is acting in the position, so you can gauge your competition. Once you have obtained the relevant information, set aside t minimum a whole day so you can write strong evidence based responses to selection criteria.

In terms of your resume, effective resumes are highly focused marketing pieces that must be strategically written and designed to sell YOU as the best solution to potential employer’s needs and problems.

Both your resume and selection criteria, must illustrate your unique value proposition that will differentiate you from your competitors in the job market. Do your documents accomplish these goals? Are they outcomes focussed? Do they accurately represent you in the way you wish to be presented?

If not, it is time to rewrite these documents, as poor marketing documents might be the key reason why you are not securing interviews.

Use Guerrilla Marketing Methods for Job Hunting

If sending your resume to job agencies, applying for jobs on online job boards, or addressing long and complex selection criteria is not reaping any rewards for you, why not kick start 2012 with some guerrilla job hunting marketing methods. This term was coined by Jay Levinson and David Perry, both recruiting experts, who highlight the most effective job search methods. Top on their list is networking – yet very few people actually use this highly effective method.

By networking, you are not asking people if they know of an opening or to give you a job, you are just asking for referrals or advice from people that might be able to assist you. I mean, would you be upset if someone you knew contacted you to inform you of their job search and asking for some advice, or to point them in the right direction? Of course not, in fact you would probably be very flattered, so why not use this method as a way to discover new opportunities and network your way into a position?

Use the holiday to research job prospects

Jobs don’t tend to get advertised over the holidays, but this is the perfect time to undertake research on various opportunities that will be available in 2012. Use the time constructively and research companies over the internet. This is a great time to get information relating to whether a company is experiencing growth, or compile a list of the right contact person within your targeted companies.

PLUS as a bonus, some companies/agencies are hiring over the holiday period and since there is less competition (less job seekers on the market place), then it might turn out to be the perfect time to get your resume or selection criteria in front of a decision-maker, who needs to hire a person as a matter of urgency.

Job search Protocols

Now it is time to take a look in the methods that you use in your job search. Is it professional at every step? Does it illustrate an understanding of job search protocols? In 2012, make it your objective to be professional throughout the process. Make sure you send a cover letter and when attaching resume to a new contact via email, include an introductory note. Also ensure that your mobile message and answering machine is professional, and avoid an email name that is funny or cutesy. These job search protocols really matter – so make sure you adhere to them.

Yes – job hunting can be highly stressful and time consuming. But the holiday period is a perfect time to reflect upon what you would like for 2012, so choose to focus and in 2012, you will find yourself back to work, or securing that dream job, or promotion, much faster than you thought possible.