Notes From A New Recruiter
Finding What's Next
When working with a recruiter I learned how hard it would be to transition to something outside of Education.
I fought that idea for a while. I knew what I had accomplished over the last ten years and I liked to say that I was an administrator. Aren’t those skills supposed to be transferable?
I’m a great employee. How could another non-profit not want a seasoned administrator? Was I being seen? Was I leveraging my connections properly? Was I looking desperate?
I have since learned it takes two things to get your resume seen:
1) A great hiring manager. Someone who is willing to see past your resume and industry to see who you are as an employee and give you a chance to either kill it or not impress.
2) Direct experience. Your skillset and past experience should be communicated that makes sense to the hiring manager for the position.
You can’t help who reads your resume, so here are some strategies to try.
The Google Machine
Start by doing a Google search. You can either start by searching keywords of things you enjoy, skills you have or simply go on Indeed and see what is happening in your area.
I get made fun of often because I often “type questions in the Google machine.” There is merit in literally searching for something like “I am a people person. What type of job would I like?” Allow the search results to take you down the rabbit hole. Have a notebook handy and jot down quick thoughts as you go through it. Take time to explore.
Leverage LinkedIn
Next, look at your LinkedIn presence and look at your experience. Summarize what you do beyond the bullet format. That is what your resume is for. Have a great lead in statement about who you are and what you want to do.
It’s okay to note that you are in transition or that you are looking for something new. Add those industries that you are interested in or looking for to your profile.
Next, find connections that hold positions that are of interest to you or work at companies for which you’d love to work. Send connection requests to those people and when they accept ask if they have time to chat. You really never know where those connections can take you.
Remember when you have these conversations take them seriously. Be on time for any phone calls and don’t let your guard down. It needs to be professional, but you also need to be able showcase yourself. That’s a hard concept. More on that soon.
It’s true that finding a new job is a full-time job of its own. Recreating or rebranding yourself is a lot of work, but you have to remember you’re working towards your own happiness. Invest the time and energy into yourself. It’s worth it.
Invest In Yourself
It’s true that finding a new job is a full-time job of its own. Recreating or rebranding yourself is a lot of work, but you have to remember you’re working towards your own happiness. Invest the time and energy into yourself. It’s worth it.
