Do You Know The 3 Keys To Landing A New Job?

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 Expert Author Anish Majumdar

We've all been there: you're in the midst of applying for jobs with little-to-no success. Meanwhile, other professionals seem to effortlessly dovetail from one position to another while you're left trying to discover the magic formula. As a Career Expert and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), I can tell you that while there's no magic formula per se, applying a few targeted strategies will almost always result in landing a new job in significantly less time. They are:


1) Develop a Resume that Stresses Your Unique Value

Few things are a bigger waste of time than endlessly editing your resume between submissions to better adhere to what a potential employer is looking for. Yes, every job has certain basic requirements. For example, a Project Manager needs to have a track record of successfully planning and executing projects. But what nabs a hiring manager's interest isn't rehashing the job posting but highlighting the UNIQUE VALUE you possess.

Spend a few minutes thinking about what really sets you apart. Are you a fantastic team builder? Can you identify new business opportunities? Do you have a background of success spanning multiple industries? Boil these down to 3-4 attributes and create an OPENING PARAGRAPH at the start of the resume that highlights them. This is Step 1, and if you execute it, you're already ahead of the game.

However, if you truly want to get a leg up on the competition, it's time for Step 2. Use the opening paragraph you've created as the "theme" for your resume. That means highlighting these skills FIRST when describing jobs you've held and backing them up with concrete successes. This approach will immediately set you apart as a unique candidate when applying for new jobs.

2) Spin the Interview

Most media professionals know the value of "talking points", a series of key ideas you keep returning to in order to leave behind a positive impression. If you've done the work of creating a resume that stresses your UNIQUE VALUE, then you already know what your talking points are.

-Briefly answer an interviewer's question about a potentially negative aspect of your career. Be honest, but don't offer any details that encourage follow-ups.

-As soon as it's possible, return to your resume and elaborate on an aspect of your UNIQUE VALUE. This can be an accomplishment at your most recent job, expressing your passion for what you can bring to this potential employer, etc.

This approach is the foundation of a successful interview. Basically, if you look at it as a tug-of-war between positive and negative, it ensures that the bulk of the time is spent discussing how you've excelled (not how you've failed).

3) Use Your Intuition When Deciding Whether to Accept a Job Offer

Many of the reasons that cause employees to quit jobs early have nothing to do with tangibles such as salary and avenues of advancement and EVERYTHING to do with intangibles such as personality conflicts. Once you've received an actual job offer, it becomes doubly important to use your intuition before making a decision. Did you get a good sense of the atmosphere at your potential employer? Did they make you feel welcome and valued during the interview? Have they been forthcoming with regards to sharing details about your new job? If you don't feel like you have enough information in these areas, by all means schedule a tour of the offices or a conversation with your would-be boss. Oftentimes, a doubtful feeling is your intuition's way of warning you to a potentially negative work experience. Listen to it.

By Anish Majumdar