Job searching is a stressful process, and can be particularly frustrating when you’ve been looking for some time with little response. If you’ve been on the market for a while but still can’t find that special somewhere, it may be time to take stock of your approach, refresh your resume, get a virtual makeover, and employ some new tools for a successful 2018 job search.
GET PICKY
First step: be more selective. This may seem counterintuitive – after all applying for more jobs increases the chances of getting one, right? In some cases this approach may actually work against you. Hiring managers don’t want to see a candidate that is applying for anything and everything. The senior living industry is a relatively small, connected community, and you don’t want to acquire a reputation of being desperate (even if you are). Step back, take a deep breath, and read the job posting again. Are you really a good fit for the position? Can you make the argument that you are, based on tangible, objective accomplishments or experience? If not, wait until the next job posting comes along.
GET A MAKEOVER
The next step is to reevaluate the impression you make via your resume and online presence.
It is so important to have a good resume that we could write an entire article about it. In fact, we have – check it out. The most important point to remember: hiring managers spend, on average, six seconds looking at a new resume. Strip it of everything that is not needed, trim it down to only the relevant points, and tailor it to the position for which you are applying. Focus on skills, describe your current responsibilities, and whenever possible, provide evidence of your accomplishments. For example, if it’s a sales position, include metrics such as “increased census by X% in 2014.” A note here – if you find you are regularly revamping your resume in an effort to tailor it for the job posting, refer back to our advice about being more selective.
Some other resume tips: PROOFREAD your resume for typos. You may be thinking, “doesn’t everyone?” No, they don’t, and given that you’ve got six seconds to grab someone’s attention, a typo will send your resume straight to the bin. Your resume must be professional looking with excellent grammar and spelling, readable font, and consistent format throughout. Include dates of employment with titles and job duties, and explain any employment gaps. Add a strong, well-written, concise cover letter that outlines your strengths and skills and intrigues the reader to learn more.
STEP INTO ANOTHER’S SHOES
Now it is time to pretend you are the hiring manager. Call the number on the resume. Does it have an appropriate outgoing message? Is the voicemail full? Some hiring managers will stop right here if you don’t have an appropriate greeting (simple, professional), or they can’t leave a message. The email provided must be equally professional. It shouldn’t be your current work email, so make sure your private address has a professional polish. It may be time to leave ‘tatertotfreak@hotmail’ behind and invest in a simple gmail account with just your initials and last name, if available.
Visit your social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) as an outsider and evaluate how you come across. Yes, these are private/personal sites, but can often be viewed by outside parties, and a potential employer is likely to take a look. If they are greeted by multiple photos of questionable situations, or lots of posts with angry rants about your current employer, you may not get any more interest. Delete anything questionable.
Use social media to help your job search. LinkedIn is the showcase of your professional brand and can be used to connect to human resource professionals and recruiters. Be active by sharing industry-related articles and commenting on others’ posts. Post your (revamped and proofread) resume, and recommendations from former employers. Invest in a professional photo, compose an engaging bio, and click here for more LinkedIn tips.
FOLLOW UP
You’ve sent your resume, your voicemail box is ready for messages, and your social media is on point, but you haven’t heard anything yet. Don’t panic. Give it a few days. After about a week it’s perfectly acceptable to send a follow-up email or phone call to ensure that your application was actually received – and get back on the hiring manager’s radar.
BRING IN SOME HELP
At LeaderStat we don’t consider a professional recruiter a last resort. We recommend bringing one in right from the beginning. The recruiter can be the fresh eyes that look over your resume and social media profiles. He/she will help you identify your strengths and skills, get ready for interviews, and advocate on your behalf for salary and benefits. A recruiter who specializes in the post-acute and senior living industries will know the job availability in your area, and can help match you up with the right positions and with the right people, shortening your search time and lessening your frustration.
Anne Napierala, LNHA, Executive Recruiter
Anne is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Ohio and holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services-Long Term Care Administration from Ohio University. She is responsible for post-acute care and senior living executive-level and nurse management placement in the Southeast and Midwest regions. Prior to joining LeaderStat, she worked as a Marketing and Activities Assistant for a skilled nursing facility and briefly as a technical recruiter for energy.