Networking – What Not To Do

Networking is defined as a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.  Why should you network?  Studies have shown that 50% of all job openings are never posted anywhere online and upwards of 70% of all openings are filled by networking.  Now that I have your attention, let’s look at how to avoid the common networking errors.

Job Boards Don’t Work – Using Monster, CareerBuilder and the other major job boards is a waste of your time if all you do is apply online.  Applying is the first step but must be followed up by calling into a company and finding out who the hiring manager is for the role. You need to get them on the phone to present them with your 30 second or elevator speech.  Recent statistics I have heard are that 2-5% of the people that apply via the major job boards get a call.  That means 95% of you are wasting your time if all you do is apply online.

Resumes – What Not To Do

There are hundreds of articles to tell what your resume should look like or what you need to do in order to improve your resume.  I decided to take a slightly different twist with this article and talk about what not to do.

Summary/Objective Statement – This is the most cliché ridden part of the resume.  I have never heard anyone tell me they are a poor communicator, non goal oriented, boring self centered person.  Recruiters think of the summary as fluff with little to no supporting evidence to back it up.  I suggest eliminating the summary or objective and in its place putting a key word table, as shown below, to highlight the key skills required in the position.