NO!

This is one of the most common job search myths out there. The notion is that hiring is down during Holiday weeks, which is true. This is such a widely touted notion that you should use it to your advantage.

Since most people will wait until after Holiday weeks to submit their resume, the competition is nearly zero.

While everyone else is waiting around for the Memorial, 4^th of July, or Labor Day weekend to be over, you should submit your resume the evening of or the morning after the actual holiday. You will be on the top of their email list in the morning. When the hiring authority comes in that morning, your resume will be there. Do this even if the Holiday is between October 1^st and December 31^st.

Since they are not bombarded with resumes, go for it, even step it up a little!

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RUN!

The internet is full of services offering to “help” you find employment. Candidates we’ve spoken with state that the only thing magical about these firms is they make your money disappear.

Now, to be clear, they are not all bad and there have been some legitimate search firms that have been falsely accused of being Employment Agencies, simply because they offered Job Search Assistance. Don’t think for a minute that a legitimate search firm is working for you to find you a job just because you paid them for job search assistance. We understand that anyone contemplating a job search is in new territory. Hopefully, this article will help you avoid the pitfalls of job searching. If you have never job hunted before, even the conception of a job hunt is a daunting experience and anyone offering to ease that transition will at least at first seem attractive. But what is it all worth?

Most of these firms want about $5,000. Recently we discovered one that offered this kind of ”help” service and wanted $30,000.00!

You’re a grown  up. If you spend money, make sure you know what you are spending it on. No organization can guarantee you a job. The very notion is ridiculous. We found 1 firm that claimed they had a 90% success rate, think for a minute, if a firm could actually find you a position with 90% accuracy, why wouldn’t they take their money after you get the job?

We have yet to see a firm who charges an up front fee, claiming they will find you a job that actually could substantiate the claim.

If you have been successful in your career you can do the job hunt, probably better than they. If you need advice hire a consultant by the hour that has some legitimate accreditation but do not expect them to find you a job. Use their knowledge to do your own job hunt. You are smart enough to do this. No person or firm can possibly control an employer’s opinion of what you offer? If you have been a hiring manager you already know this.

Here is the moral of the story;

Don’t hire anyone to find you a job.

As former Search Firm owners and operators, it is our opinion (and is supported by the industry) that all you need is a solid résumé and someone with an appropriate opening to read it. If you fit the job perfectly on paper, in the interview, and you are truly a better candidate than your competition, the employer is going to hire you even if the recruiter says not to.

If you feel you have been a victim of one of these firms, send us an email and we will give you some ideas on how to get some money back. Email us at Admin@Jacksonstevensresumes.com.

Jackson Stevens Resumes

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Objective, summary, profile, and many others. With so many options, which is relevant? What influence does the market economy have? How does the term become relevant in the current business climate?

A “Seller’s Market”.

Thirty years ago, the term “Objective” was commonplace on a résumé. This was due to the fact that it was a good economy from a job perspective or what we in the industry call a “seller’s market”. In a “sellers market”, the candidate’s “Objective”, or what you are looking to get out of the job, is relevant, or at least a weighting factor.

Today’s “Buyer’s Market”.

In today’s difficult economy, it is clearly a buyer’s market. Until the employer expresses interest in you, they are not interested in your objectives. Jackson Stevens recommends the use of a “Summary” or “Profile” to show potential employers that you are focused on their needs.

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You cannot stop the employer from thinking that your age and current ability are linked. What is silly about this is its root.

We have seen many résumés with the phrase; “More than 25 years experience in” and “A seasoned executive” These phrases are only “code” for “I am an older candidate” which we all know is the kiss of death. It is a common belief in both recruiting and employer circles that if you are over 50 your performance will be affected. Most of us who are over 50 would beg to differ. The notion comes from relevance of age and athletic ability. As we all know, when we get older our physical abilities are affected but that does not mean our minds are gone.

The notion that at age 50 you are too old to perform leadership duties is ridiculous to say the least!

Age 50 is for most the peak of their knowledge, leadership, and performance ability. You must get in front of the employer to prove you capabilities to them and eliminate this stereotype. Your only way of doing this is with your résumé. Over 50 the résumé becomes the single most important tool in your arsenal.

People do not care how old or overweight a ball player as long as they score.

Your résumé must show the employer that if you are given the ball, you will score.  That will ensure you prevent the employer from categorizing you as less capable due to your age.

What most résumé writers do is tell you that you should leave dates off your résumé. Don’t do it!

Don’t think for a minute that your next employer who has the power to hire you with 6 figure salary, and “supervise” your activities is not smart enough to know you are hiding your age.

All you can do is your best. If you can get into the mind of the employer, you will do better.

Jackson Stevens Resumes

Click here to hear why more Search Firms partner with Jackson Stevens than any other Executive Resume Service

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Almost everyone knows that when you submit your résumé it is a good idea to follow the submission up with a phone call. Follow these simple rules and you will ensure the best chance to see results:

1. First of all, make sure you send your resume by both mail AND if you have their email address, e-mail. Most leaders are bombarded with email. The person you are trying to get to is the administrator assigned to the executive.
2. On the day you expect the hard copy résumé should arrive, call and only to ask if they have received it. Use this opportunity to speak with the administrative assistant of the person you sent the résumé to. They are easy to get to. Do not ask to speak with the targeted recipient during that phone call. Your job is to get to know the person closest to the targeted recipient.
3. When you call, simply ask if they have received the letter. Then once you have warmed up a bit, ask whether or not the administrator has the intention of giving it to the CEO.
4. Do not try to sell yourself to the administrator. Remember his or her name, be polite and complimentary, and talk about what you have learned about the company and why you sent your resume. You must be specific or it will carry no value.
5. Acknowledge that you know the intended recipient is busy and has a lot on their plate but wanted to make sure they saw what you offered.
6. Make sure that before the call you have done a little homework on what the company does and see if there are any news reports of recent sales or other activity that you can use as an icebreaker. Remember, most executives count on their administrator’s judgment when it comes to their opinion about people, especially potential employees. You did it, they are doing it.

Apply these basic résumé submission follow up principles and you will be well on the way to connecting with the hiring manager directly on a professional level. 

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