By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
EP 3041: Today’s show offers advice for attracting employers and securing job offers. The tips cover optimizing resumes, strategically tailoring applications, and directly engaging with hiring managers via platforms like LinkedIn.
Using AI to Job Search
Hey everyone and welcome back to another deep dive with us. It’s great to be here today We’re looking at how to stand out in the job market Especially with you know, all the uncertainty out there right now exactly So we’re gonna be breaking down a YouTube video by career coach Linda Raniere. Oh, yeah, I’ve seen her It’s called five tips to attract employers and get the job offer.
I think I’ve seen that one. Yeah catchy title Yeah, right. So let’s see if we can pull out some advice for you, right? I hope all of our listeners do it so to get started You know, one of the things that Raniere talks about okay is going beyond just the basic resume Yeah, the old high school style resume.
What do you mean by that? Right? Well, you know things have changed a lot and resumes aren’t what they used to be It’s not just sending out the same thing to everybody and hoping for the best, right? It’s really about strategy now Okay, it’s about thinking about what makes you uniquely valuable to an employer. So how do we make our resumes stand out? Well, one thing Raniere says is think of your resume like an outfit. Oh, okay You wouldn’t wear the same thing to a casual hangout with friends that you would to a job interview, right? Right, so it’s the same with your resume.
You really need to tailor it to each specific job Okay, so how do we actually do that? How do we tailor it? Well, first of all ditch that high school format Okay, you know the one where you just list everything you’ve ever done Instead think of your resume as a marketing document, right? This is how you highlight your professional brand right Raniere suggests that you start with what she calls a compelling profile Okay, it’s kind of like a summary at the top. Okay, you know, it tells who you are as a professional So it’s like an elevator pitch it’s like a mini elevator pitch at the top of your resume right at the top That’s where you showcase your unique skills got it and your experience Okay, so then we move into the professional experience section, but but don’t just list tasks Yeah, don’t just say I did this and I did that and I did that right instead focus on your accomplishments Okay, think about how did you add value right in your previous roles? Okay. Did you exceed expectations? Oh, okay Did you save the company money? Yeah, did you implement a successful project? So instead of just saying like I managed projects you’d say exactly successfully managed X project Which resulted in Y positive outcome, that’s a much better way to put it Okay, you really want to quantify your impact whenever possible got it.
Better Interviews via Strategic Comms
And remember those keywords we talked about earlier Oh, yeah, the keywords those are crucial here, too Right, so make sure you’re weaving in keywords that align with that specific job description, right? Because those applicant tracking systems or ATS. Uh-huh. They’re scanning these resumes for those keywords.
That’s how they filter Okay applications, so it’s not just about like stuffing the keywords in there It has to be genuine and it has to reflect your skills and experience. Okay, so we’ve got this awesome tailored resume now, okay But what about those times when you know, you send your resume out? Oh, yeah, and you never hear back It’s like a black hole. It’s like a black hole of job applications.
Yeah. Yeah. So right here actually addresses that in her video Oh good.
She suggests going beyond simply applying online Okay, and actually reaching out directly to hiring managers interest and recruiters like that through LinkedIn and email, okay So being proactive, yeah being proactive making personal connections Yeah, and you know, even if it just increases your chances by like a small percentage, right? That could be the difference between getting an interview and being ignored. Okay, so we’ve crafted this amazing resume. All right We’re reaching out directly.
We’re speaking the language in the bots, right? What’s next? Well, then of course comes the interview Yes, and rainy has some really interesting thoughts about how to approach an interview, okay, she calls it the consultant approach Okay, I’m intrigued. What does it mean to think like a consultant? Well, it’s really a shift in mindset Okay, you know instead of going in with that feeling of desperation like you’re begging for a job, right? Think of yourself as a consultant pitching your services. Oh interesting.
You have valuable skills Yeah an experience that can help solve their problems. That’s a good way to look at it Yeah, and when you approach it from that perspective, yeah, you know your confidence and your clarity will really shine through, right? Instead of just listing your skills, right? You’re showing them how you can add value and contribute to their success So, how do we actually put this consultant approach into practice? Well, one of rainy’s key tips is to have what she calls a treasure chest of stories Oh a treasure chest of stories, right? I like that. So imagine having a collection of these carefully curated Anecdotes from your past experiences that highlight your skills your accomplishments and how you’ve overcome challenges So we’re prepping ourselves with these mini success stories exact that showcase our skills Yes, there’s this and these stories should be tailored to the specific job interviewing for okay They should be concise.
They should be engaging got it, and they should demonstrate how your past successes, right can translate into Future wins for their company, so we’re not just telling them about our skills, right? We’re showing them through these stories showing yeah, and you need to be able to pull up these stories quickly and smoothly Okay, almost like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat Okay, the goal is to make them think wow, this person has not only the skills Yeah, but the proven experience to back it up. Yeah, they’re exactly who we need. I love that, right? So we’ve got our resumes our outreach strategy our consultant mindset.
Mm-hmm, right and our treasure chest of stories I like it. What other gems does Ryan do you have for us when it comes to nailing that interview? Oh, let’s talk about that. Well, remember how we talked about confidence being key Yeah, Ryan really stresses that projecting confidence during an interview is crucial.
Okay, but you know interviews can be nerve-wracking Oh, yeah, how can we boost our confidence when we’re feeling the pressure? Well confidence comes from knowing your worth Okay, and being well prepared right remember all that time you invested yeah in refining your resume crafting your stories and Researching the company. Yeah, that preparation should fuel your confidence. So it’s not about faking it till you make it.
No, it’s about Recognizing the work we’ve put in Letting that shine through right and don’t forget an interview as a two-way street. Oh, yeah You’re interviewing them just as much as they’re interviewing you. That’s a good point.
How Do You Answer When You’re Asked to Rate Yourself on a Scale of 1-10?
You know, do their values align with yours? Right, does their company culture seem like a good fit? Yeah Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to impress them right that we forget that we have a choice to exactly And remember to be yourself. Okay, authenticity is so important, right? You know, they want to see who you are as a person. Yeah, not just a robot reciting memorized answers So we’re bringing our best selves to the table, right? But we’re also letting our genuine personality shine through exactly let your enthusiasm and passion show Okay, I know people are naturally drawn to those who are genuinely excited about their work.
But what about those tricky behavioral questions? Oh, yeah, you know the ones that always seem to pop up in interviews, right? Right any tips on navigating those? That’s where your treasure chest of stories comes in handy. Okay, instead of rambling or trying to come up with answers on the spot Yeah, you’ll have these polished anecdotes ready to go right each story should demonstrate a specific skill Okay, or quality. Okay that aligns with what they’re looking for.
So it’s like having this secret weapon It is to combat those interview jitters. Yes and practice. Okay practice rehearse your stories out loud Okay, get comfortable with the flow right make sure you can deliver them confidently and concisely Okay, and always remember to connect your stories back to the job.
You’re interviewing for got it How does this experience demonstrate that you can solve their problems? Yeah and contribute to their success So it’s all about showing them like hey, I’ve done this before right and I can do it for you Exactly, and don’t be afraid to ask insightful questions. Oh, okay throughout the interview What kind of questions should we be asking, you know, ask about their company culture? Okay their challenges their vision for the future Okay, this shows that you’re genuinely interested in the role. Yeah, and the company as a whole So we’re not just showcasing our skills and experience, right? But we’re also demonstrating our genuine interest.
Uh-huh, and that we’ve done our homework. Yes precisely now even with the best preparation Yeah, and a stellar interview. Sometimes you don’t get the job right rejection is part of the process Yeah, it’s tough to stomach though.
I know it is any advice on handling that rejection and staying motivated Well, first of all, don’t take it personally. Okay, sometimes it’s just not a good fit, right? Maybe they were looking for a different skill set. Yeah, or maybe their company culture wasn’t right for you Okay, easier said than done.
I know but it’s an important reminder it is and if possible ask for feedback Okay, you know, what could you have done differently right use that feedback to refine your approach for next time? So we’re turning that rejection. Yes into a learning opportunity Exactly. What else can we do to keep our spirits up during the job search? Yeah, we’ll celebrate your wins landing an interview is a win.
Okay getting a second interview is a win Yes, it’s so easy to get caught up in the negative, right, but we need to celebrate those small victories Absolutely, and remember networking is a powerful tool. Okay, let’s talk about networking. All right, a lot of people trend it Yeah, it can be any advice on making networking less painful.
Yeah and more effective. It can be a little intimidating Yeah, it’s really about building relationships, you know and connecting with people in your field So it’s more about building community and supporting each other. It is it’s not about, you know Collecting business cards or trying to sell yourself to everyone you meet.
It’s about having genuine conversations Okay, sharing insights and learning from others. So we’re planting seeds. Yeah Nurturing these relationships exactly and you never know where those connections might lead right, you know a casual conversation at an industry event Yeah could turn into a job opportunity down the road Wow So attend industry events join online communities.
Okay, reach out to people you admire Okay, you never know what doors might open. This has been such a valuable deep dive It has I feel like we’ve covered so much we have you know from resumes and keywords to this consultant mindset Right and the power of storytelling and remember even with all the strategies and tips job hunting can be challenging It can be it’s a process and it’s okay to feel frustrated or discouraged at times What’s the one piece of advice you would give our listeners today? You are in control Ooh, I like that You have the power to shape your job search to present your best self and to attract the opportunities you deserve It’s so easy to feel like we’re at the mercy of the job market We really do have more agency than we realize so go out there with confidence with clarity and a strategic approach love it Showcase your unique value tell your story Yeah, and connect with people who can support your journey and remember rejection doesn’t define you. No, it doesn’t it’s just a redirection That’s a great way to put it.
All right Well, this deep dive has been packed with actionable advice it has to help you navigate the job market and land that dream career Tailor your approach project confidence and build meaningful connections along the way exactly. Thanks for tuning in to the deep dive It’s been a pleasure. We’re here to support you every step of the way best of luck on your job search
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ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS job search coaching and career advice globally because he makes job search
and succeeding in your career easier.
Job Search Realities
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