Editor’s note: Eve Nicholas, a resident of Whidbey Island, is writing a weekly column for The Herald about how to get a job or find a better one.
Many job coaches and career Web sites are quick to advise people on the rules of job hunting: Do this. Don’t do that. Jump through the right hoops and you’ll land a job in no time.
There are rules about everything: resumes, electronic submissions, keywords, cover letters and what to say during an interview. In fact, there are so many conflicting bits of advice that even the most competent professionals feel dumbfounded, not knowing which way to turn.
For example, if you talk to two career counselors, one will insist that you use a one-page resume, the other will swear that two to three pages is the norm. One may tell you to respond immediately to a help-wanted ad, the other will say to wait five to seven days, after the initial rush of applicants dies down.
Don’t get me wrong. There are some best practices that can improve your job search, and a few simple guidelines can get your resume in the right hands. But anyone who tells you that there is a right way to do things is absolutely wrong. This is your life we’re talking about, your career. It’s time to let the rulebook go.
When it comes down to it, employers are human beings, and they are looking for other human beings to work in their companies.
Am I being old fashioned? I don’t think so. There are still keywords, recruiters and interviews to contend with. There are resumes to write and skills to learn. But you don’t have to say and do all the right things in order to land your next position. Your primary goal is make a good impression with an employer, and the best way to do that is to be yourself.
Whether you are a student, mid-level manager or corporate executive, here are a few tips for a rule-free job search:
* Your resume materials are tools that combine three things: your experience, goals and personality. If you follow all of the rules as described by job coaches, Web sites or your dear Aunt Sally, your documents may go to the bottom of the pile. If you break them, they may go the bottom of the pile. Since you can’t possibly know what each employer needs, create documents that suit your individual objectives and style.
* No matter what anybody tells you, you don’t have to go to networking events, you don’t have to keep your document down to one page, and you don’t have to list every detail of your career history on your resume.
* There is always staff turnover, even in the tightest of economies. Whether employment rates are high or low, organizations need dedicated, hardworking personnel to help them achieve their objectives and stay competitive in our rapidly changing world. Just stay focused on your job hunt, create a strong presentation, be confident in your skills and get ready to land your next job.
Your job search should feel right to you, every step of the way. Choose your career direction based on your personal goals. Get rid of the rulebook, be yourself and the opportunities will come.
Eve Nicholas has written resume materials and offered no-nonsense advice to thousands of job seekers. She can be reached at Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
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