March is the perfect time to spruce up your game tactics to secure a job.
Here are five job hunting tips to help you win the job title that you want.
1. Fast break. Most hiring is done between Feb and May. Many Companies have a fiscal calendar that coordinates with the calendar year, January through December. In this case, firms finalize their budgets in January and start implementing hiring strategies in February. March is a key time for hiring. By June more people are heading out on summer vacation.
- Make a short list of target firms that match your experience and skill sets and are realistic for you.
2. High percentage shot. A common error in job hunting is to apply to every and any job instead of the ones for which you are qualified. Some recruiters refer to it as "spray and pray." In today's competitive environment, hiring managers are looking for a direct match in terms of industry, experience and skills.
- Job postings usually have a similar format: Exciting job description on top, a blurb about the firm in the middle, the specifics requirements of the job at the bottom usually in a bullet format.
3. Technical foul. Don't write your own resume. Resumes have changed. Many of us have not updated our resumes in a number of years and are unaware of the current format requirements.
- "Consider having a professional resume writer or HR professional help you with your resume" say Gary Daugenti from www.juststaff.com
4. Back door. The ultimate goal in job hunting is to secure the attention of the hiring manager. Often this person is buried behind a number of job boards, recruiting professionals and screeners. Many people have had success by going directly to the hiring manager or through the back door.
- If a company is advertising for a position do some due diligence and find out who the hiring manager is and send him or her your resume directly.
5. Slam dunk: Slam dunk your interview by being prepared. Set yourself apart from other candidates by over preparing for your interview.
- Review the firm's website in full. Watch the videos and read sections on what kind of person is the ideal fit. Develop questions that relate to the website so that the person interviewing you knows that you have done advance research.
For more Career tips and pointers www.traceywilen.com