Career Transition Tips
As you know, career transition can involve a lot more than job change. I often do work with my clients on a job search, however, whether the target is a “for now” job, while they gain more education or experience to reach a long-term career goal, or to land a long-term, ideal job. Here are a few job search tips I share to help save time and money when searching for a job.
4 TIPS TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY IN A JOB SEARCH
- Applying for jobs is an “odds game.” Statistically, you may need to submit 10-15 applications or more before you land a job. Don’t be discouraged; just keep your eyes on the prize and focus on the next application process! And ask for help or advice from a Career Counselor/Coach, trusted friend, or colleague when you need it.
- Never copy and paste descriptions from the job posting verbatim intoyour resume or cover letter. You can tweak or reword and still maintainsimilar meaning without copying it verbatim. The best thing to do isauthentically respond to the requirements with matching experience from yourresume/work history. It’s okay if your skills and experience are not an exact match; show how they are transferable!
- Tailor application materials toward each individual job. I highly recommend that you DO NOT use the scattershot approach, in which you send copies of the same cover letter and resume to dozens of employers. DO edit your resume and cover letter to target each individual job posting. This looks like: revising/adding content to your “Professional Summary” section at the top and expanding/editing/reordering job duties, based on emphasized requirements and occupation-specific language. Similarly edit and personalize your cover letter.
- Always have a “second pair of eyes” review your application documentsbefore sending. Enlist a Career Counselor, trusted friend, or colleague to read and provide editing feedback on your resume, cover letter and other job search documents. When we are the author and very close to the material, it is very easy to miss costly mistakes!
I hope you find these helpful, and please feel free to share them with others!