Q&A: What About Relocating During a Job Search?

Posted on July 9, 2011 by The Résumé Studio

I used to do Q&As with newsletter subscribers. In 2006, a job seeker wrote in about relocation biases.

Dear Jared:

I’m open to relocation and have sent résumés to other cities. So far no one has expressed interest. I feel like they only want local candidates. — Anita, Tampa, FL.

Dear Anita:

They probably do. Many companies draw from local candidate pools first. It’s less costly, the candidates are familiar with the territory, and they’re easier to meet face-to-face.

As an executive search consultant who conducted national searches, I was surprised by how frequently companies got “geographically stuck.” We were often restricted in the talent we could find until we were able to convince the client to look at the bigger picture.

As a candidate, it’s your job to speak up, subtly. You can’t dictate what a hiring entity wants, but you can remove a few barriers upfront to improve the odds.

Here are a few techniques:

  • Place “Willing to Relocate,” “Open to Relocation,” or “Relocating to [City Name]” under your résumé address.
  • Have a friend of family member in your intended city? Ask permission to list their address next to your current address.
  • Start the second paragraph of your cover letter with a succinct statement about your relocation plans and your willingness to be readily available to interview and move at your own cost.

You never know when relocation will enter your job search, or how. But being prepared with the right tools can make a difference.

Until next time!

Jared Redick
Visit: The Resume Studio.com
Follow: @TheResumeStudio
Connect: LinkedIn.com/in/jaredredick
Call: 415-397-6640

Filed under: About Recruiters, Cover Letters, Job Search Tips, Q&A Corner | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

Keep Your Résumé Fresh

Posted on June 25, 2011 by The Résumé Studio

KeepYourResumeFreshI sent this reminder to my newsletter subscribers in March 2006. Today seems like a good day to revisit it.

A fatal mistake we fallible humans make too often is being unprepared when opportunity strikes. Having an up-to-date résumé ready to rock is no exception.

Suddenly the clock strikes and we find ourselves scrambling to become instant résumé writers at the worst time: when we’re without a job, or close to it.

All sorts of mayhem pours into documents written in haste, exposing a vulnerable, last minute “I hope they can’t tell I crammed for the test” flavored desperation.

Is it possible to take our microwave-ready, just-add-water approach to lives to the task of résumé writing?  Continue reading →

Filed under: Job Search Tips, Resume Updates, Resume Writing | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

How To Turn OFF Your LinkedIn “Broadcast Activities”

Posted on June 2, 2011 by The Résumé Studio

Ever notice a glut of newsfeed updates from one of your LinkedIn connections?

If you’re a LinkedIn member, maybe you’ll recognize this:

“Joe Smith has an updated profile: Headline”
“Joe Smith has an updated profile: Specialties”
“Joe Smith has an updated profile: Headline, Experience”
“Joe Smith has a new photo”

Truth is, Joe probably doesn’t realize that every update he creates is being broadcast as an independent piece of information to his connections’ newsfeeds, potentially creating a river of independent announcements. (It seems to be especially true if Joe creates multiple updates across several days.)

Joe should know about the not-so-secret privacy setting permitting him to “Turn on/off [his] activity broadcasts.”

When I suggest that clients turn OFF activity broadcasts before making substantial profile changes, I always get this response:

:BIGGASP: “I had no idea, thank you! I don’t need to alert everyone about every update!”

As of today, here’s how Joe — and the rest of us — can turn off activity broadcasts while making substantive profile changes:

  1. Sign in to your LinkedIn account
  2. Hover over your name at the upper top right of the screen
  3. Click “Settings”
  4. Find “Privacy Controls” toward the center bottom of the page
  5. Click “Turn on/off your activity broadcasts” and follow directions

Voila! Now Joe — and all of us — can go about editing profile material without creating an update with every keystroke.

Joe shouldn’t forget to turn his activity broadcasts back ON, however. I suggest waiting until inputting the final profile touches, then turning on activity broadcasts to let your world know you have updates.

Until next time!

Jared Redick
Visit: The Resume Studio.com
Follow: @TheResumeStudio
Connect: LinkedIn.com/in/jaredredick
Call: 415-397-6640

Filed under: Job Search Tips, LinkedIn Ideas, Social Media | 1 Comment »

3 Ways to Get More Job Search Attention

Posted on November 16, 2010 by The Résumé Studio

Job seekers twenty years ago made follow-up phone calls to potential employers after responding to advertised positions.

Do that today and you’re likely to be ignored.

A common job seeker frustration is not hearing back from a company you’re interested in, especially when it sounds like a perfect fit.

Improve your odds. Get a phone call by writing to the expectations of your reader. Take a moment to think about what the recipient wants to see on your résumé, then make their dreams come true. If your background is a fit, show them why and how.

Wondering how to get the attention of potential employers?  Continue reading →

Filed under: Inspiration, Job Search Tips | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Why It’s Smart to Take Recruiter Calls

Posted on May 23, 2010 by The Résumé Studio

Why it's smart to take recruiter callsA lot of busy executives don’t want to be bothered by recruiters.

Until they need them.

I always smile when a client says, “How do I get my résumé to an executive recruiter?”

If you want to play in the retained executive search game, you have to let them know YOU’RE willing to play.

And that means spending a few minutes chatting the next time they call, instead of ditching them to voicemail.

I say “retained executive search” because it’s an important distinction. Think Heidrick & Struggles, Korn Ferry, and the boutique firms that open when recruiters from the big firms strike out on their own. They will often use the same sophisticated recruiting processes and be just as valuable to your career.

The next time a recruiter calls you, be sure you understand their perspective, then consider these points.  Continue reading →

Filed under: About Recruiters, Job Search Tips | Tagged: , , | 3 Comments »

« Previous Page — Next Page »