By Kevin Donlin
In this, the tightest labor market in a decade, you need every possible advantage in your job search.
Without further ado, here are power networking tips, an email resume trick and scannable resume essentials!
1) Creatively title your resume document.
When emailing resumes to employers, most people use a title like "resume.doc" or "lastname.doc" ... how about: "Jane Doe - Experienced Marketing Manager.doc"? Your resume attachment will stick out from the crowd before it's even read!
2) Job clubs -- an overlooked way to network your way to a new position.
Because most jobs are filled through personal contacts, a job club can be very effective in your search. And you'll find them all around you. Contact your local library, church, community groups and state employment agency for help in locating one or more that suit your needs.
If your city publishes a free employment weekly newspaper, be sure to check the announcements section to find job clubs. You may also find them listed in the phone book.
In a good job club, you'll meet regularly with 10-30 other people to share leads, provide support and practice such skills as interviewing and negotiating for salary. Job clubs are often free, so don't worry about high membership costs.
3) Scannable resumes and why you need one.
Most larger companies use optical character recognition (OCR) software to scan resumes into computerized databases. Once scanned, hiring managers search through them for keywords to match applicants with jobs.
Create your scannable resume by changing the typeface to a sans serif font, such as Arial, for more accurate reading by the scanning computer. (Serif fonts, such as Times Roman, may not scan as clearly.) Use a single typeface throughout and a single font size. I recommend 10 or 11-point type.
Next, eliminate all underlining, bolding and italics, which can make your resume harder to scan.
After that, create a targeted keyword section to match your career goals. Keywords are the nouns an employer uses when searching a database of scanned resumes for candidates. If your scannable resume is rich in matching keywords, it's more likely to pop up in the search. And you'll be called for an interview.
Mail your scannable resume (printed on white paper) together with your traditional resume (on nice stationery).
Congratulations! You now have a leg up on the competition for your next job!
Best of luck to you!
-- Kevin Donlin is the author of "The Last Guide to Cover Letter & Resume Writing You'll Ever Need," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back. For more information, please visit http://www.CollegeRecruiter.com/guaranteed-resumes.php
