Manage Your References

Came across some excellent advice on managing your professional references in the context of a job application.

Check it out at this link.

How to Get a Job - Recent Article in Fortune

In the 13 April 2009 issue of Fortune, an article titled "How to Get a Job" talks about creative means professionals have been using to find work. The anecdotes fall in 5 broad categories:

1. Work your Rolodex. "To score an in-person meeting, don't just ask for a job; offer something in return, like competitive intelligence (sic) on the competition."
2. Target Your Search. "One of the worst mistakes job seekers make is sending out hundreds of resumes. That's not looking for a job; that's buying a lottery ticket."
3. Get the word out! "Don't be ashamed. Tell everyone you know you're looking for work. Whether it's by phone, e-mail, or online social network."
4. Get your foot in the door. "Use the interview to show what you'll deliver in the first 30, 60, and 90 days. Companies don't have time for you to grow into a job."
5. Fine-tune your resume. "The majority of large companies use software scanning services to sift through resumes. So mimic the job requirement language exactly. If they want a marketing manager, those words should appear in your resume."

To #5, I would add the caveat that even with a fine-tuned resume, the odds are against you getting an interview if yours is one of 2000 on-line applications being processed. To up the odds, look for people you know or are connected to in the company who might be willing to foward your resume directly to the hiring manager.

For the entire article in Fortune, click here.