Virtual Resources for a Job in Real Life

BY AMY SORICELLI

I’m sure some of us recall the job hunting days that included circled ads in the New York Times. This was generally followed by a speedy deposit into the mailbox with an anxious wait of seven to ten days in the hope of a positive response.

We know those days are long gone and the term “snail mail” is more often than not met with a snicker and raised eyebrows. So how does one navigate the job-seeking process now that the world is so different? What does job seeking in the virtual world look like and how can we turn it into a job in real life?

Online resources will assist you with the process of getting ready for your job search. What shape is your resume in? Have you taken the necessary steps needed to sort out the details of your resume, and do you have what is needed “mechanically” to make your vision into a document?

Once you sort out the details of resume construction, such as format, font and size, you can begin to construct a unique document that talks to your special skills and experiences and positions you for the next important step: the job application.

The ATS (applicant tracking system) can make the application process a little more daunting than we’d like, so it’s important to always keep the job posting in mind when constructing a resume.

Key words that mirror the words in a job posting are essential in order for the candidate to get recognized by a recruiter and to stand out among the sea of applications that come in hourly.

Word Clouds will allow the recruiter to see the specific skills that you have which is related to the position you are applying for. If there is no “connection” from your resume to the posting, that disconnect will prevent an interview from becoming a reality.

Nothing really happens today without networking. While some of us shudder at the thought of standing in a room with strangers, LinkedIn is a good way to begin the process of networking in a non-threatening manner. In order to position yourself as a viable candidate, a strong LinkedIn profile is necessary and its relevance in today’s market cannot be underscored.

Ninety percent of all recruiters will first consult LinkedIn to view your profile before deciding to invite you in for an interview or before a phone screen is scheduled.

Ask for assistance with creating a winning profile and use it correctly by connecting with those influential people in your industry who can assist with your journey.

When is the last time you shook someone’s hand and was it professional? How is your eye contact? Were you just fidgeting with your pen? Do you know how to answer questions using STAR interviewing techniques? Do you know how to ask questions during an interview? Are you comfortable having lunch with a recruiter? Have you ever interviewed in a group format?

There are endless resources online for the candidate looking for a job. The key is curiosity, research, perseverance, and asking for help.

Everyone has looked for a job at some point in his or her life, and the success that he or she had with the process came from attitude, energy used and how many moving parts in the process come together to equal career success.

If you’re interested in some additional help with your job search, please visit berkeleycollege.edu.

Amy Soricelli is vice president of Career Services at Berkeley College.