This is a frustrating situation and you must be wondering why people don’t recognize your talent. Well, the problem is probably not you; it’s likely your resume.

If you are making a major career change you will find it difficult to find a job by only sending out resumes to job ads and postings. That is because on paper you will not appear competitive to those who are already in the field.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go after that kind of work. But, it does mean you will have to go after it in a different way. You will have to rely heavily on networking so that you can get referred and recommended by people you know and meet.

Job Search One can show you how to conduct such a job search and provides personalized coaching if you need it.

Reason #1: Your resume is under selling you. This is often the case for people who only include their past job “duties”. A good resume needs to focus on “accomplishments” and the “competencies and skills” you used to achieve them. Recruiters don’t want to know just the tasks you performed. They want to know how well you did those tasks and how you impacted the organization. They also want to know the skills and abilities you use to make yourself successful. Keep in mind that if all you include are your job duties, you will look just like everyone else! You need to differentiate yourself.

A contributing factor is the misguided notion that you must limit your resume to one page. Unless you are relatively new to the workforce this is unadvisable. Recruiters will read two page resumes, particularly if they are compelling.

Job Search One has a resume builder with templates and examples that you can use to build a powerful eye catching resume. We also have expert input and coaches available to help you with any resume issues you may have.

Reason #2: You’re sending your resume to the wrong places. That is, for jobs where you are either under qualified or over qualified. You need to focus on sending your resume to those places where you meet the qualifications and can demonstrate how you do.

Job Search One can show you how to analyze an ad or posting and line up your skills, abilities and knowledge to demonstrate your qualifications. We even provide templates for doing the analysis and composing the cover letter that will showcase your achievements and skills.

Great! That means your resume is working for you and you are getting interviews. However, is your resume telling the most powerful story possible and does it support your career objective? Does it positively differentiate you from the many other candidates for the jobs you are seeking? Does it make a recruiter or hiring manager anxious to meet you?

Job Search One has the tools, techniques and coaching to make your resume the best it can be.

You have probably heard people say that looking for work is a full time job, and it is. How fast you find a new job is directly related to the amount of time and effort you put into your search.

But, what do you do? Certainly you want to check job postings and send out your resume. Only 10 to 20% of people find their jobs by responding to a job posting, according to most expert’s . Networking is, by far, the way most people find their job.. Thus, networking activities are where you should put the bulk of your time.

To network effectively you need to spend time making phone calls, meeting with people, going to association meetings, job clubs, trade shows, chamber of commerce events, and anywhere else you can meet and talk to people. You also need to spend time researching industries and companies and staying on top of the latest trends and developments in your field or industry.

Conducting a full blown networking campaign requires structure and discipline. You need to have a plan and set objectives on at least a weekly basis and then mark your progress toward your goal.

Job Search One can help you plan and organize a robust comprehensive job search as well as set goals and mark your progress.

Good. But, are you spending enough time and is it productive? If you are not working you should be spending as much as 35 to 40 hours per week in your job search. Clearly, if you have a full time, or even part time job, you will not be able to put that many hours into your efforts. However, you want to maximize the time you do spend. You should be putting three times as much time and effort into networking than you do into responding to postings, answering ads, or working with search firms. That’s because three times as many people find their jobs through networking than through postings and search firms combined. As the saying goes it is better to work smart, than hard.

Do you have a robust networking plan? Are you meeting new people every week? Are you making the most of your time networking?

Job Search One has the tools, techniques and coaching to make you a highly effective networker and help you get the maximum results from your search.

Why is this a problem? Because you are not leveraging your efforts through other people. This is the KEY to successful networking and successful networking is usually the key to a successful search. As many people as possible should know who you are and what you are looking for.

Sure, you would like someone you know to tell you about a job lead. But, it is equally important for that person to refer you to some of their contacts. Then you can talk to that new contact and tell him or her about yourself and what you are looking for. That person may not know of a job opening at that moment, but he or she might find out about something in the next few weeks. That person can also introduce you to more contacts. And so it goes. You continue to build your contact network one person at a time and leverage your efforts.

Job Search One can instruct you on how to quickly and effectively develop a network, as well as how to conduct telephone and face to face networking meetings. We have a variety of tips on how to take best advantage of networking meetings. Our expert coaches can advise you on strategy or help you practice for a phone call or meeting.

Great! A key indicator of a well run job search is that you are getting referred to and meeting new people. That is the first key to successful networking. The second key is to have a clear and interesting message to tell those people. It is not enough to just tell them that you are looking for a job. You must be able to tell them about yourself, what you are looking for, and most importantly, how they can help you. Finally, you need to ask that person to give you a referral to someone they believe could also help you.

You should be adding at least ten new people to your network each week and meeting face to face with at least three or four of them. If you want to move your job search up to the next level, Job Search One can help you. We have templates and scripts to help you create your message and story as well as professional coaches who can help you in virtually every area of your search.

This could be the result of the way in which you present yourself. How you look, what you say and how you say it, may be doing you in. Some of the most common difficulties include poor or inappropriate grooming and attire, talking too much, not asking questions, poor eye contact and distracting mannerisms.

An interviewer will generally use three of his or her five senses to evaluate you. First is sight – how you look and act. Second is touch – the handshake. And third, of course is hearing – what you say and how you say it. You do not want the interviewer to use the sense of smell, so cool it with perfume, cologne or aftershave.

You want to dress appropriately for the position for which you are interviewing. You want to keep your answers clear and relevant to the questions. Avoid going off on tangents or speaking negatively about anyone or any organization. Humor is good, but keep it clean and avoid sarcasm. You need to deliver what you say in a convincing manner. The intonation of your voice needs to support the words you say.

Job Search One can provide you with the guidance and key suggestions on how to handle all types of interviews. Our expert coaches can also advise you on specific issues and even help you practice interviews.

Great! That means you are making it through the first or second cut. Of course, for most of people, there will be times when you don’t make it through the early screen. In fact, that should happen when you are presenting yourself well, but interviewing for the wrong job. However, as you go further into the interview process the stakes get higher and the competition gets tougher. You want to make sure you are not rejected for a job for which you are suited because you presented yourself poorly.

It is important to know how the interview process can change, as you move further into it. Early in the process the company is focusing on whether or not you can perform the tasks and responsibilities of the job. Later on they are focusing on whether you are motivated to do the job and you will fit into their organization. It is not unusual for an organization to choose a slightly less qualified person whom they think will better fit with their team and culture. That’s why it is imperative that you be yourself and engage with the interviewers. It is not enough to wow them with your ability and knowledge, you need to show them that you will fit in. And, if you don’t fit, you are better off not getting that job.

Job Search One will give you an Interview Preparation Tool that will help you focus on the likely questions you will be asked at every phase of the process and will help you formulate your response before you get to the interview. It will also help you assess how well you did in the interview so you can make corrections and improvements the next time. Finally, you will have a professional coach to help you with any interviewing concerns.

Yes, it can be awkward to call a stranger and start talking. But, it is not impossible. All you need is some preparation and a script.

Before you call you need some information about this person from whoever referred you.. You also need to script your opening few sentences and have a few questions ready to ask the person.

When talking to others about your job search you need to be very clear about who you are, what you do best, and what you are looking for. That’s three simple sentences. “I am a… What I do best is … I am looking for …” You also need to be clear and specific about how the other person can help you. “You could be very helpful by …” It’s hard to get what you want if you can’t describe it. Write it out. Don’t just wing it.

Keep in mind that asking about job leads will put the person off. Rather, ask the person about his or her industry or experiences in job search. Also, be ready to ask for referrals to other people. This is how you expand your network. The key is to just do it, and then do it again. Before long you will become comfortable.

Job Search One can help you prepare for and conduct these kinds of calls and meetings. We have instructions, examples and a simple method to help you create your introduction. We also have coaches who can advise you on specifics and help you practice.

Good. Or, maybe not. Good if you are you are not having problems calling the referrals you are getting. Not so good if you are not having problems calling because you are not getting referrals.

The most important success factor in networking is getting referrals to new contacts and then getting more referrals from them. Networking takes a certain level of fearlessness that not everyone is comfortable with. Having a clear and well practiced message is key.

Your success in getting job leads lies in your ability to articulate your professional identity and then to follow up with everyone to keep that identity fresh. There is a far greater likelihood that the person you are networking with will hear about a suitable job lead in the weeks following your meeting than that he or she will know about one on the day you meet. The better you conduct the meeting, the better their memory of you will be.

Job Search One will show you how to maximize your networking efforts. We have scripts and templates for creating and practicing your message as well as tools for researching companies to prepare for meetings. Our professional coaches will help you practice and refine your networking message and stories.

Believe it or not, you have a lot of leverage to get what you want, whether or not you are currently employed. The key is to know what to say and do and when to say and do it. Many people give up a lot of their leverage because they talk about money and benefits way too early in the process. Remember, he who mentions money first loses, even when you are asked about it by the interviewer. Always give a range and never provide a specific dollar figure. Others lose out because they do not have a strategy and plan for conducting the negotiation.

To be successful in a salary negotiation, first, you should be absolutely sure of what the market is paying for this type of job.. Second, you need to fully understand the offer before you start negotiating. Finally, you need to continuously reinforce why you are well suited for the job.

Job Search One gives you the capability to research the market and establish going market rates. We will also provide a format to analyze an offer and help you prepare for the negotiation. Your JSO coach will be able to help you walk through the process and help you do the best that you can do. This is a critical part of the job search. You don’t have to do it alone.

Good. You have done well.

Negotiating an offer is one of the most critical steps to the job search process. It can also be one of the most emotional. The average person will often move too fast and either alienate the employer or agree too quickly.

Having a sound step by step process and negotiating strategy is key. It starts with the first interview when you might be asked about your salary expectations or salary history. Having a number of ways to deal with those questions without pinning yourself down is critical to having the maximum leverage. It ends with a thorough analysis of the job offer, specific objectives and a well planned strategy for how you want the negotiation conversation to go.

Job Search One provides you with a winning negotiation process and strategy, including an offer analysis form and a professional coach to advise you throughout the negotiation. If there is ever a time to take advantage of a coach, it is during the salary negotiation.

This may not seem like a problem at first because you don’t have many things to follow up. But if you conduct a robust search as we have described, you will have many more things to follow up on than you currently do. It takes good organization and discipline. You need to keep a calendar, address book and some method of setting up reminders. Not following up on interviews or meetings is a sign that you are either not interested or not professional or both. You may be, in essence, saying no to an offer, before you receive it.

Job Search One has resources to keep you organized. We have a Scheduler, Contacts Manager, and automatic reminders of things you have put in your calendar. Because JSO is web based you can access your data from anywhere you can access the internet.

Good, or maybe not. Good if you are interviewing and networking a lot and getting many referrals and you are able to manage all of the data and appointments. Not so good if you don’t have many interviews or referrals or others to contact.

If you are managing to stay on top of all of your contact follow up that’s great. Make sure that you keep good records of each person and each call.. As you build your contact network it is important to keep track of who referred each person to you. You will likely need to follow up with everyone and be able to tell them how their referrals have helped you.

Job Search One has excellent contact network management tools including a calendar that alerts you of your appointments each day, a contact information database for tracking not only names, addresses and phone numbers, but other information about the person and the conversations you have had with them, and a file storage tool for saving things like letters sent or received, proposals and research. All of this is web based and available to you anywhere you can access the internet.

Quite frankly, this is due to a lack of preparation. You can anticipate the likely questions you will be asked as well as formulate answers to them beforehand.

Interviewers may use a wide variety of interviewing styles, some good, some not so good. Regardless, most of them will concentrate on a few main areas such as work history, reasons for leaving positions, strengths, weaknesses, interests and work style.. The first step is to recognize what your answers are to these questions. If you aren’t sure, you certainly won’t be able to tell someone else.

Another key issue is to have a list of your most important accomplishments. You will use this to provide examples to the interviewer. This is particularly important when you are in a ‘behavioral interview’, where the interviewer continuously asks you to describe examples or specific events from your past work.

The last step is to write out your basic answers and practice saying them. You may want to say them into a tape recorder or video tape yourself. Then you can hear how you sound and make changes if necessary.

Remember: Preparation + Practice = Performance.

Job Search One has extensive resources on interviewing. We also have assessment inventories you can use to help you identify your strengths, interests, styles and preferences. We have an interview preparation form you can use to help focus on the kinds of questions you may be asked. Lastly, our coaches can help you formulate your answers and give you feedback as well as help you practice your answers.

Very good. That means you are experienced and know yourself well. This is the critical part of job search. You need to do well in interviews at all stages of the process. Keep in mind that many people do well in the initial screening interview, or the selection interview, but do not do well in the latter stages when the organization is choosing between two or three highly qualified candidates. It is at this stage that having a coach to help you strategize and prepare can make the difference between success and failure

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Job Search One has excellent coaches who are well skilled in advising candidates at all levels and in all fields on how to nail the job interview. We also have an in depth Interview Preparation Worksheet that will enable you to analyze and prepare for any interview.

Many people dread having to tell someone about themselves. But, think about it. This is your chance to tell Your Story exactly the way you want with no restrictions. The key question is, “What do you want them to know?”

Typically, it is best to keep your responses limited to business. You should also describe more than just the companies you worked for, your titles and your duties. You should include a few key accomplishments, your strengths, as well as a clear image of what kind of worker you are.

This is a difficult thing to just wing at the spur of the moment. You should be well prepared ahead of time. You will also want several versions to use depending on whether you are in an interview or networking.

Job Search One will show you how to compose Your Story and give you several templates to use for different situations. Our coaches can help you practice or handle a particularly tricky situation.

Great, you are well prepared. Make sure that the image you convey when you talk about yourself is you at your best. That will be the one they convey to others with whom they come in contact. That is how you get your professional image out into the market place. A fair number of people unwittingly spread the wrong message about themselves.

Job Search One has the tools and techniques, including instructions, templates and forms to help you develop the most powerful message you can. And, we have professional coaches to help you smooth the rough spots and deal with the difficult issues. We can enable you to have the best story that tells people who you are, what you are looking for and how they can be of help.

The internet can be a powerful tool, or an incredible waste of time. The key is knowing how to use it.

Studies show that companies use the internet to source a great many people for jobs. Those same studies indicate that most of that sourcing comes through the company’s own website, not through the large job boards.

That is not to say you should not search the large job boards. It does say that you should also spend significant time going to specific company sites and making a direct application. To do that though you need to create a comprehensive list of firms to which you want to apply. You also need to know how to handle submitting your resume and background into their site.

It is essential that you manage the amount of time that you spend looking for positions on the internet. It is easy to do and, as a result, it is tempting to do it a lot more than you should.

Job Search One has the research resources to help you assemble a comprehensive list of companies in your area, so that you can go directly to their websites. We also have advice on how best to use the internet effectively and apply to web-based job postings specifically.

Good. There is more to be learned on the company site than on the job boards. Often, companies are more responsive to applications that come through their own website career section, than those that come through mammoth job posting sites like Monster or Hot Jobs.

Job Search One provides the tools and know all the key job search techniques. We also have the resources to research the market and develop your career options and action plan to execute those options. All along the way you can get expert coaching from your assigned professional coach.