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Troubleshooting Your Job Search
OK. You've posted your resume online. You've sent out a dozen copies answering classified ads. You've told everyone in your network that you're looking for a job. And nothing has happened. Now what? Since 1996, I've written/edited resumes for nearly 3,000 clients and refunded less than 3% of them for lack of results. Based on this experience, here are four ways for you to troubleshoot -- and improve -- an unsuccessful job search. 1) Is your resume focused? Your resume can't be all things to all people. Make sure yours has one main focus, such as sales or computer programming. Every word in your resume should contribute to that single focus you've chosen. If you try to go in too many directions, your resume won't appeal to anyone. 2) Is your resume error-free? You've heard this 100 times, so let's make it 101 -- a single typo can ruin your resume. But that's only partially true. Because even more things can go wrong. When proofreading your resume, you should also check for errors in spacing between words, inconsistent abbreviations, poor layout, tiny fonts and extreme length/wordiness. Example: inconsistent spacing is a frequent gaffe. It doesn't matter if you use one space or two after periods, but be consistent throughout. Otherwise, your resume will look unprofessional. 3) Is your cover letter hard-hitting? According to the Wall Street Journal's National Business Employment Weekly, "Your cover letter can make or break whether your resume goes into the 'yes' pile or the 'no' pile. A really terrific cover letter can change the reader's mind." Use your cover letter to show off your knowledge of the company and the industry. And be sure to convey your enthusiasm for the job -- enthusiasm sells. But be concise! Nothing longer than 4-5 paragraphs or one page will work well. 4) Is your job search a full-time job? In this job market, the quest for employment takes time and effort. Think of finding work as a job in itself, requiring nothing less than your total dedication. So, ask yourself: "Am I really using all my available resources? Am I spending at least 4-8 hours and doing at least 10 things every day to find the right job?" For example, make sure you use -- really use -- your college placement office. Most students and graduates never visit theirs, according to my experience. Now go out and make your own luck! Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1996, he and his team have provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in all 50 states and 23 countries. Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, CBS MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal's National Business Employment Weekly, CBS Radio, and many others. As a reader of this publication, you're eligible for a special offer. Get your Free Job Search Kit ($25.00 value) at the Guaranteed Resumes Web site - http://www.gresumes.com
MORE RESOURCES: Corporate Lowe's Careers Careers City of Phoenix (.gov) Working for ICE ice.gov Careers University of Northern Colorado How to use AI to get a job interview and nail it – along with the salary you deserve | Job hunting The Guardian Meet a millennial who quit her tech job, temporarily moved to Paris, and started a baking business in NYC Business Insider Careers at FEMA FEMA.gov Careers City of Ontario, California (.gov) Job Loss Is a Kind of Grief The Atlantic Careers at Prairie View A&M University PVAMU Home Careers | Home USDA (.gov) Jobs Multnomah County Understanding America’s Labor Shortage: The Most Impacted Industries U.S. Chamber of Commerce Careers and Jobs at CRS Catholic Relief Services Careers - MDOT Maryland.gov Work at Fairfield Fairfield University Improve Your Chances of Landing That Job Interview IEEE Spectrum Careers Baxter Careers Johnson & Johnson Store Hourly Job Areas Target Corporate Career Job Areas Target Employment Opportunities | Game Commission Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) Careers at USCIS USCIS (.gov) Jobs and Training at FDA fda.gov Careers at TWU Texas Woman's University Amazon CEO Andy Jassy shares his top tips for a successful career: ‘Don’t be afraid to fail’ AboutAmazon.com Work at Butler Butler University Careers at Simon & Schuster SimonandSchuster.biz Water Services Careers City of Phoenix (.gov) Job Search Results UnitedHealth Group Careers Jobs City of Rochester (.gov) Employment | Department of Corrections Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) Work With Us National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (.gov) Career Opportunities Gilead Sciences Career Opportunities UMHB Finding Your New Career at the City of Phoenix City of Phoenix (.gov) Careers at Willamette Willamette University Search & apply for jobs Boehringer Ingelheim Student internships at J&J Johnson & Johnson Careers IOM career gateways International Organization for Migration Careers at University of Missouri Health Care | University of Missouri Health Care jobs University of Missouri Health Care Careers Washington State University Careers BASF Jobs at Liberty University Liberty University EPA employees rally in Denver against President Trump’s job and funding cuts Colorado Public Radio Healthcare Jobs at Novant Health | Novant Health Novant Health Jobs And Careers | VA Montana Health Care | Veterans Affairs VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs Careers | Human Resources Seattle University Jobs & Employment Monmouthshire County Council Future of Jobs Report 2025: The jobs of the future – and the skills you need to get them The World Economic Forum Jobs Report NFIB Work for the City of St. Louis City of St. Louis, MO (.gov) Why hasn’t AI taken your job yet? Financial Times Certified Direct Care Professional (CDCP) Wisconsin Department of Health Services (.gov) Ready for your next great job? ADP Careers Careers WV Department of Education Careers The Ocean Cleanup Job Seekers Illinois Human Resources Careers CrowdStrike UF Health Careers UF Health Careers DOGE Terminated Me After I Moved Away From My Family for a VA Job Business Insider Careers at Union Union College Matching Talent to the Jobs of Tomorrow: A Guidebook for Public Employment Services 2025 The World Economic Forum Jobs for Veterans and transitioning military VA Careers (.gov) ‘DOGE and Musk were gonna have a big impact’: Federal job cuts shake the Capital Region Politico Human Resources Department City of Phoenix (.gov) DOE Report Shows Clean Energy Jobs Grew at More Than Twice the Rate of Overall U.S. Employment Department of Energy (.gov) As Layoffs Continue, Federal Workers Face Sluggish Job Market The New York Times Careers Euromonitor Job Opportunities Bellevue School District Current opportunities Turner & Townsend Recorded Video Interviews Target 15 Most Stressful Jobs for 2025 | Careers US News Money Career expert offers advice for frustrated job seekers National News Desk |
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