Here are some solid resume suggestions that can get you noticed while saving you time and money:
- Do NOT send your resume as bulk e-mails or mails to hundreds or thousands of companies using the low-cost services that you will often see advertised. Subscribers to these kinds of online services have no ability to track where the resumes were sent, or even ascertain that they were sent and then received by hiring managers. These services are considered by many hiring managers to be annoying junk mail.
- Do NOT stay glued to your computer responding to job postings on the Web or in local and national newspapers. While you certainly must use these as one of your job search vehicles, the bulk of your time must be spent on networking.
- Do use a resume-writing service to assist you with the crafting of your resume and cover letter. While you may be hesitant to shell out the hundred dollars, remember that they do this for a living and are probably significantly better at it than you are. You know how to handle IT departments; they know how to craft resumes and letters that get results. Talking with a career counselor about your job search is often very useful as well.
- Do provide your resume to top-notch recruiters (retained as well as contingency) who will be able to guide you in your job search. The good ones will actually take the time to talk with you about your goals and objectives, and really get to know you before they push your resume on to prospective employers. Some will even serve as a motivational coach throughout this process. Of course, as one aspiring CIO related, going with every recruiter isn't beneficial either. -Many are not geared for top-level positions, many will not take the time to meet with you and get to know you first. If they're going to submit you to an executive position, you'd better be more than a piece of paper," the CIO candidate said.
Finding the right CIO job requires diligent networking. This is the single most important step in your job search process, but it is also generally considered one of the most difficult. It requires a concerted effort to expand your social and professional circles, and let others know that you're in career transition.
Two aspects of networking make it the most effective part of your job search:
- Most people don't like to do it, which increases your odds of success if you do.
- Research has shown that the majority of the jobs people get are due to networking, especially at senior levels.
- Networking is a two-way street. It's about getting to know others so that you can help them and they can help you.
- The professionals you directly network with will seldom have jobs for you. However, they may know someone who knows someone who may know of a job at a friend's company. This is -six degrees of separation" at work.
- Just do it, no matter how uncomfortable it may feel at first. It will get easier with practice.
Several networking groups can help you get started in a controlled, organised environment. These include the Technology Executives Network Group and MIS Network Associates. Most are free or low-cost. The most expensive that I'm aware of are ExecuNet's networking events. I can assure you that these are worth the AU$5 to $50 investment, and many will allow you to attend the first event free as a guest.
Step 5. Direct mail
You may have noticed that I haven't included a section on responding to job ads and postings. I think that most people are fairly adept at this particular process once they have used the services of a professional letter and resume writer. However, I'm including insight on direct mail since not nearly enough people use this excellent method as part of their job search campaigns.The use of direct mailâ€"which consists of a letter outlining what you can offer the company as an employeeâ€"works in concert with your target companies list. Once you have identified your target companies, and possibly networked your way into a company, the next best thing to actually being able to pick up the phone and call someone there is to write to them.
The debate continues about whether e-mail is preferred over snail mail. But regardless of how you do it, be sure to demonstrate to the recipient that you have studied his or her company's industry and the company itself, and that you have something of value to offer.
Provide just enough information in the letter to get the person excited enough to either call you to come in to his or her office to chat or to request your resume. Don't send your resume with the direct mail letter or e-mail or you run the risk of seeming too pushy.
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