Brad Attig, Ivy Exec’s Director of Talent Development demonstrates how some seemingly good ideas can be exactly the opposite when you’re engaged in a job search. From “Blasting your resume to 100′s of prospective employers” to “Creating your resume in under 10 minutes” learn why these ideas and others can hurt your employment chances. 

10 Smart Things A Job Seeker Can Do

  1. Prepare yourself mentally
  2. Take a hard look at your finances
  3. Take inventory & do a full, honest SWAT analysis
  4. Set realistic and achievable goals and review them daily
  5. Develop a job search strategy with professional help
  6. Treat your search as your job
  7. Network to build relationships not to find a job
  8. Focus on self-improvement
  9. Volunteer and stay relevant
  10. Be positive

Some of my Thoughts on Job Search

 

  • If you can afford a professionally written resume it will be the best investment you make in yourself
  • The opportunity cost of using a bad resume can run in the tens of thousands of dollars
  • More and more job seekers are getting professional assistance making the job search climate hyper-competitive
  • Good enough doesn’t cut it anymore
  • You can, of course, get away with sending a bad resume to a less desirable company but is that really your objective?
  • If you cannot afford to have your resume done professionally seek help elsewhere. Oftentimes, State Career Centers, local libraries, and some job fairs have assistance available
  • Remember that job search expenses are usually tax-deductible but check with your accountant

 

Brad Attig has 13 years of talent acquisition experience including 5 years working with high-level executives crafting personal job search strategies and 8 years of recruiting for a top boutique retail recruitment firm. Brad’s expertise includes personal branding, social media strategy, and locating top passive talent. Prior, Brad held key merchandising positions with top retailers including Macy’s and Target.

About Ivy Exec

This article was originally posted on the Ivy Exec Blog. Ivy Exec is a career resource partner of AESC/BlueSteps - a highly selective, invitation-only career site founded by a team of Columbia MBAs to address the unique career needs of top executives. Ivy Exec is a trusted recruiting tool used by companies such as JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, Deloitte, Google, Prada, and other upper echelon firms looking to hire high-caliber executives.

About BlueSteps
BlueSteps is the exclusive service of the AESC that puts senior executives on the radar screen of over 8,000 executive search professionals in more than 75 countries, including China. Be visible, and be considered for up to 75,000 opportunities handled by AESC search firms every year. Find out more at www.BlueSteps.com.

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