Job Search Blueprint

You can cut the time it takes to land in the interview seat and avoid making costly mistakes in your job search by following this blueprint. Each section will help you create a blueprint for success.

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Lesson 2: Study Your Blueprints & Build a Solid Foundation

Study Your Blueprint

You wouldn’t just start nailing lumber together without a set of plans, so don’t treat your job search any differently.   Set aside a certain amount of time each day to complete search activities. If you’re currently unemployed – treat the search like a job. Put tasks on your calendar. Make a checklist. Whatever you have to do, to stay motivated.

DIVE in to job descriptions and get really good a decoding their meaning. Use the skills and activities listed to beef up the key wording in your online profile, cover letters, resumes and more.

Check out this video for more tips on using job posting to develop your keywords and find the hidden information you can use to make yourself the most memorable job candidate.

RESEARCH the people who will be hiring you and companies. That way you can effectively target your communications with them. Use what you learn when you get that call to interview.

Build the Foundation

Building a strong foundation is all the preparation you do before you ever send out that first resume or submit the application online.  Just like a house needs a solid foundation, you need to spend time making sure your resumes, cover letters and personal career brand are solid, so they can stand up to the scrutiny of a HR Manager or the Applicant Tracking Software that is designed to scan online applications.

You Career Brand includes these things: Skills, Work Experience, LinkedIn Profile, Business Cards, Personal Website, Portfolio Site, Social Media Accounts, Summary Statement (Personal Brand Statement) and much more.

Make sure your brand is consistent. You can’t look like a professional on LinkedIn and a rock star swinging from hotel chandeliers on your other profiles. It’s all about reputation management.

LinkedIn is a must. Make sure you utilize the high traffic areas like your summary and headline section to really make an impression and catch the attention or recruiters and hiring managers.

Almost 80% of hiring professionals say they check online profiles. Almost half say they have found something that caused them not to pursue a candidate.

  • Provocative or inappropriate photos or videos
  • Drinking and drug use
  • Discriminatory comments
  • Poor communication skills and bad grammar
  • Unprofessional screen name
  • Information on previous employer

Instead, give them what they like to see:

  • Information confirmed professional qualifications listed
  • Creativity
  • Well-rounded interest
  • Awards/accolades
  • Other people’s endorsements