Back in the day when job hunting was easier, job seekers had the upper-hand. Whether it was applying directly to a business online or registering with a local staffing firm, oftentimes it was a quick and easy process. Today – not so much.
It’s a New World.
Businesses that ARE hiring in today’s climate are trying to save money wherever possible. Spending budgets have been depleted. The utilization of external recruiters is way down. Simply put, staffing firms are used much less than before. It is a crazy time to be looking for a job. Nothing you don’t already know, right?
It is possible to beat the odds.
Companies are still hiring. And, yes, they are still utilizing staffing firms for certain hires. In order to win in this New World you must be proactive and forward-thinking. Whether you are someone in transition looking for a job or you are someone looking to take the next step, you need to be prepared to win.
Market yourself the right way. It starts with a well-written resume and cover letter. This is a must whether you are applying directly to an HR recruiter online or if you are registering with an external recruiter at a local staffing firm. At some point in the process, your resume will be viewed and reviewed. Decisions will be made based off of it. Long story short, make sure your resume is exchange ready for headhunters and visually appealing and well-written.
Tips when working with an external recruiter:
Guest Expert:
Edward McGoldrick, The Resume Professor, has the answers. He will school you in how to develop the most effective resume and land that perfect job.
McGoldrick has more than 10 years of progressive responsibility helping over 20,000 people find employment. Leveraging extensive knowledge and experience in staffing and professional resume writing, he is focused on providing top notch, results-oriented career services.
Prior to founding Resume Professors, McGoldrick served as a director with Spherion, a Fortune 500 staffing firm, leading the strategic and operational growth for the southeast region of the United States. He led this region through start-up, survival, turnaround and growth modes for over four years. McGoldrick also held the position of executive recruiter with Kforce where he earned several sales awards including Rookie of the Year. He also placed in the top 5% in sales every year throughout his six year tenure with the company.
