Job Hunt

Job Search During The Holidays—Networking Made Easy

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The holiday season can be the perfect time to conduct your job search. Why? Because there are many opportunities for networking—even in the current environment. With holiday gatherings, either in person or virtually, you have natural opportunities to build your network. Why does this matter? Because research shows that as many as 80% of successful hiring can be attributed to networking.

Hands typing on a laptop keyboard with holiday decor around.

Here are some tips for successful networking:

  1. Build your network before you need it. Having a strong network helps build your brand and reputation, increases your visibility, and can provide support.
  2. Recognize that networking is a two-way street. You should not think about networking just as an opportunity to improve your own situation but also as a way to support others. Do something to build your network each and every day, whether that’s sending an email to someone you haven’t talked to in a while, or identifying someone new you want to meet.
  3. Find your (potential) network everywhere around you. Sources to grow your network are everywhere from your friends and relatives to business associates such as accountants, attorneys, vendors (be sure to understand your organization’s ethics rules), to alumni associations to community organizations, and everyone in between. Even the people in your holiday card file! Make a list—your network is probably larger than you imagined.
  4. Seek out opportunities to meet people. You can attend holiday parties, volunteer in your community, participate in networking events, and take part in industry-related conferences, among other things. Follow up with everyone you meet either via LinkedIn or email.
  5. Ask for help (if you need it) and be specific about exactly what you need. Most people will be happy to help you — but you need to ask. A specific request for assistance (“Does anyone know someone who works in the accounting department at Company X?”) is more likely to be fulfilled than a general request (“I need a new job! Help!”)
  6. Follow up. If a networking contact gives you advice, a lead, or information, follow up on that information — and then also get back to that person to let them know how it went.
  7. Don’t forget about networking online. LinkedIn is the professional networking site. Make sure your profile is up to date. As you build your connections, customize your ask by sharing where you met / what you have in common. Comment on posts, and join groups. Post yourself. Work on growing your network to 500 or so.
  8. Pay it forward. After you land your new job, be sure to thank your network — especially contacts that have specifically helped you with your job search. At a minimum, send a personal note to everyone who assisted you in your search. And don’t forget to spread the word that you’ve accepted a new opportunity. Don’t neglect your network just because you found a new job. One of the most important parts of maintaining your network is providing assistance when you are asked. Be responsive to requests for help from folks in your network when you are asked.

Does Your Resume Say, “Responsible for…”?

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There are words you should use in your resume—and words you definitely should not. If your resume uses the words “responsible for,” you have work to do! Just because you’re responsible for something doesn’t mean you did it—it only means that you are supposed to do it! Other phrases that you should banish from your resume include: duties include, hardworking, objective, references available upon request, detail-oriented (unless included on the job posting you’re targeting), team player, phone (and email)—although you should certainly include your contact information, there’s no reason to label it. There are more but you get the idea.

Instead of using passive language—or words that are so generic as to be meaningless, your resume should use action verbs.

Here are some strong words to show your value:

  • Delivered
  • Identified
  • Resolved
  • Led
  • Directed
  • Oversaw
  • Conducted
  • Focused
  • Reconciled
  • Organized
  • Presented
  • Coordinated
  • Delegated
  • Orchestrated
  • Built
  • Planned
  • Spearheaded
  • Created
  • Designed
  • Formed
  • Decreased
  • Furthered
  • Saved
  • Clarified
  • Modernized
  • Streamlined
  • Upgraded
  • Aligned

There are many additional words to choose from; make sure the language you use on your resume is strong and represents what you bring to the table!

If you’re needing assistance with your resume feel free to reach out about our Resume Writing Services!

It’s That Time Again…September is Update Your Resume Month!

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You know you should keep your resume updated but do you actually do it? If not, September is the perfect time to do so. Designated “Update Your Resume Month,” you can get in the spirit by updating yours!

So, what should you do?

Here are 10 easy things for you to do:

  1. Review your existing resume; ensure that your current job is on your resume
  2. Remove jobs that are more than 10 or so years old; or at least put them in a category called Earlier Professional Experience (or something similar)
  3. Update your achievements; what have you done in your current position that had an impact on your employer? Did you save money? Increase productivity? Create a new way to do something?
  4. Add any new educational achievements; did you get a new degree? A new license of some sort? Professional certifications? Something else?
  5. Note any significant awards or industry honors. It adds to your credibility when you are recognized outside your organization.
  6. Include updated numbers. Did your staff size increase? What about your budget? Size of your territory/responsibility? Numbers help give your work context.
  7. Delete the words “responsible for;” just because you are responsible for something, it doesn’t mean you actually do it. It means that you should do it. It tells the reader nothing.
  8. Eliminate personal pronouns from your resume. Resumes should be written in first person implied—no personal pronouns. Started your sentences with active verbs (and no “s” at the end of them either!)
  9. Assess your Qualifications Statement; does it still reflect what you’re targeting? Include keywords? Make a compelling case for your candidacy? If not, tweak it.
  10. Check for typos you may have missed the last time you reviewed your resume.

Doing the above should take less than an hour. If you spend the time to keep your resume updated, you’ll be ready to go when that dream job becomes available!

You can check out some other Update You Resume Month posts from previous years below:

Social Media Scrub Checklist

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Thinking about looking for a new job? Scrub your social media first!

A checklist on a phone held by a person. Social media logos of Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, Whatsapp, Twitter on the side that are connected.

1 – Google Yourself

If you have a common name, you will want to see what information is broadly available through a simple name search, but then also narrow it by your profession or geographic location. (For example: “Jane Jobseeker Public Relations” or “Jane Jobseeker Omaha.”)

Be sure you are logged out of your Google account before searching. Review the results on pages 1-3. Are there any links of concern to address? (Negative information about you, incorrect information, etc.)

2 – Clean Up Any Digital Dirt

If you identified any negative, false, or inaccurate information in your Google searches, take steps to try to have it removed.

  • Figure out who controls the content. (For example, if the photo you want to hide is on your Facebook profile, change the visibility settings of that photo.)
  • If the content is on a website or page you don’t control, see if there is a way to request that it be removed. If the information isn’t removed from the original source, people will still be able to see if, even if it doesn’t appear in Google’s search results. (If the content is not removed from the source, it will reappear in Google’s search results when the site is indexed again.)
  • Check on the content again later. After the webmaster has made the change to the website, the information will still show up in Google for some time until Google updates its index.

3 – Create Positive Content

One way to have better content show up in the first couple of pages of Google when you name is searched is to create new content.

Here are some ways to do that:

  • Post on blogs and news sites that appear in search results. Write constructive comments that Google can associate with your name.
  • A personal or business blog – if you are committed to it – can provide a solid online presence. If you don’t like to write, you can shoot videos and publish them on your blog.
  • Posting content on YouTube and LinkedIn will also show up prominently in search results.
  • Reviews you post on Amazon.com will also show up in your Google search results.

4 – Make Sure Your LinkedIn Profile is Complete

A “complete” profile by LinkedIn standards is more likely to appear in search results.

Make sure you have these items in your LinkedIn profile:

  • Your industry and location
  • An up-to-date current position (with a description)
  • Two past positions
  • Your education
  • At lease three skills
  • A profile photo
  • At least 50 connections

5 – Review Your Facebook Privacy Settings

Lock down your social media settings during your job search. (This will not prevent your friends from sharing a screenshot of your posts/profile, but will limit who can see your posts.)

Do these six things:

  • Set your default sharing option to Friends.
  • Change the privacy settings for your previous posts (“Limit Past Posts”) so that previous posts are set to Friends. You can override the privacy setting of any individual post on that specific post, but this will change all your past posts at once.
  • Make your Facebook Friends list private so only you (select “Only me”) or only your friends (“Friends”) can see your Friends list. You can also customize it further by choosing “Specific Friends” or “Friends Except.”
  • Customize who can see your “Intro” details (education, current city, hometown, etc.).
  • Block your profile from appearing in search engines.
  • Change your privacy settings on photo albums.

On the topic of social media, please feel free to connect with us and follow along for more resources and tips on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube!

Thinking About Technical Qualifications (TQ)

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A woman in front of a laptop with a thought bubble filled with icons representing different qualifications like a phone, tools, envelope, and phone to represent skills.

Most postings for the Senior Executive Service (SES) include Technical Qualifications (TQ). But if you search for what they are and how to write them, there isn’t much to find. While the SES is focused on leadership, most agencies want to ensure that their selectee has some level of technical knowledge as well. The TQs are your opportunity to demonstrate your relevant technical knowledge.

Unlike your Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) which may be used for virtually all SES positions, TQs are job specific. You will not be able to prepare them in advance or without a specific posting.

Here are some things to assist you in understanding and preparing your TQ:

  • Review the TQ before deciding to apply. If you do not have specific experience with one or more of the TQ, it may not be worth applying.
  • There is no real difference between TQ, Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ), and Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQ).
  • Read the posting carefully; some agencies require 2 pages per TQ, others want only a page, while still other postings want to see evidence of the TQ in your resume. Be sure to follow instructions!
  • There is no required format for TQ. That being said, I recommend that you use the CCAR (challenge-context-actions-result) framework to provide specific examples of when you demonstrated the technical skill being assessed. Ideally, you’ll be able to provide 2 stories for each TQ.
  • When writing a TQ, focus on recency of experience. If the last time you did whatever the TQ is asking about is 20 years ago, it may not be the best posting for you.
  • Use the language of the TQ when writing your response. For example, if the TQ is, “Describe your experience that demonstrates a broad knowledge of animal diseases and epidemiology and incorporation into regulatory or industry control, eradication or safeguarding programs,” your response should include something along the lines of, “I have broad knowledge of animal diseases and epidemiology… One example which highlights my ability to incorporate my knowledge into regulatory and industry control is…”
  • You may use ECQ examples in your TQ. However, be sure to reframe your ECQ stories so that they address and use the language of the specific TQ.

References On Your Resume?

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A person's hand connecting icons of people that represent References.

Instead of listing references on your resume, or even noting “references available upon request,” all job seekers should have a professional reference page to provide when asked for references. Identifying and preparing a reference page is about more than listing your supervisor—or your best friend.

Choosing References

Make sure to choose at least 5 references. Typically, employers ask for three business references. Some ask for one or two personal references, excluding family members. Prepare more professional references and choose the best for each application.

Appropriate references are usually previous bosses, supervisors, and employers or leaders of volunteer organizations with which you are affiliated. If these choices are not available, consider customers, vendors, professors, and/or professional colleagues from networking, professional, or community organizations.

Select only articulate individuals who will give a positive, professional reference. If there are doubts, it is best for you not to consider that person as a reference. If you have worked in a variety of career fields, the best strategy is to obtain references that can speak with knowledge about your performance in areas relevant to your current job search.

Preparing References

Before you add a reference to your list or use the reference in an online application, obtain the reference’s permission by emailing, telephoning, or meeting with them.

To prepare professional references, you should provide copies of your resume and a summary of your current career goals. You can email the job description of the position for which you are applying or share three to four of the most important points mentioned in the job announcement. This helps the reference understand how to describe you in terms that are relevant and specific to the goal at hand. 

Remind the reference of relevant projects or tasks in which they were both involved. Offer to answer questions or have a conversation regarding the specific qualifications relevant to the desired position. This conversation can refresh the reference’s memory of your qualifications and help you to understand what pieces of information would be most helpful in a letter of reference or when discussing you with the hiring manager.

In addition to vetting talents and skills, good references can speak with knowledge about your work ethic and personal characteristics such as integrity, honesty, dependability, punctuality, and attitude.  

Following up with References

Maintain contact and a good business rapport with your selected references. Each time you apply for a new position, the references who will be asked to speak on your behalf should be contacted and emailed the job description for the position.

Saying thank you is VERY important to the relationship with your references and to ensure they do not become disinterested in continuing to provide references for you. Do not take references for granted.

Don’t be caught off-guard. Now is the perfect time to update your references so you’re ready for that next opportunity!

For more information about References check out these blog posts:

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