Quote - "Complacency Breeds Failure"

 "Complacency Breeds Failure" - Andy Grove (Intel)

How you present yourself in person and in writing matters. Your interactions are interpreted by employers, potential employers, customers, partners, vendors and colleagues. Therefore, ALWAYS take the extra few minutes and make sure your presentation, whether it be resume, presentation or appearance is A+++.

Does this post add value to your business day?  I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F.  Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily)

The Other Side of AI Resumes

The Other Side of AI Resumes

Another negative of AI generated resumes and why the hidden job market is so important. If this sounds self-serving, it is not. Just facts and common sense.

Hiring managers, frankly speaking, are getting tired of reading AI generated resumes. These resumes "mask" deficiencies and paint applications as more "qualified" and successful" than what is the truth.

Hiring managers would prefer Fewer applicants of higher quality. This post will be in two (2) parts, the other coming tomorrow morning.

So, to begin, how to do you get more qualified candidates without posting? Well, simple stated, this is the hidden job market and the only way to access the hidden job market is to NETWORK!!!!

For those of you who are not familiar with the term "hidden job market":

The hidden job market is a term used to describe jobs that aren't advertised or posted online. Most of these jobs are quality positions AND are not posted because the hiring manager does not want to spend the $$$ or dedicate the resources to review / interview alot of candidates. Another reason is that the hiring manager needs to keep this opportunity quiet for many reasons including a forthcoming termination, minimize disruption within the organization as well as competitive issues within the market.

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Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily)

Key Components of a Severance Package:

  Key Components of a Severance Package:

1. Severance Pay

2. Benefits

3. Outplacement Services

These are all negotiation - do not view these as etched in stone, as dictated by the company. You may have to do some research but this will be time well spent. I will elaborate further in my next set of posts.

Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily)

Bad Advice - Severance Packages Edition

  Bad Advice - Severance Packages Edition

You have listen to your friends or HR Manager, you will be told to accept the conditions of your severance agreement when it is presented to you.

DON'Y LISTEN TO THEM.

Why would you say that Allan? Well, this is the beginning of a process that while stressful and unfortunate, is necessary for you to engage to maximize what is delivered to you when you leave. You will have a few days to decide what to ask for - take the time to do so. You will be glad you did.

Severance Packages:

1. These are negotiable. The offer is not set in stone.

2. The severance package also protects the company from:

a) Lawsuits

b) Social media issues (bad publicity)

c) Exposure of trade secrets

d) Messy, unequitable exit to your tenure.

Ask for the following:

a) Healthcare Benefits (not Cobra - this is expensive)

b) Two (2) weeks per year of service

c) Reference Letter

d) Outplacement Services (Resume Help and More)

Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily)

ATS Formatting is Essential for Higher Scores

 ATS Formatting is Essential for Higher Scores

Formatting is Key: Survey says 40%+ of resumes fail due to incompatible layouts. That is because the industry is fragmented and there is no standardization in formats.  Candidates are writing resumes (whether or not they are using AI is a different subject) without guidance on format, fonts, etc.  

It is similar to a cook throwing spaghetti against the wall, hoping it sticks.  

Therefore job seekers, be safe and only submit single column, text driven formats (no graphics, tables, charts, logos, pictures.

Does this post add value to your business day?  I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F.  Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily)

Recruiters and ATS

While ATS systems scan resumes for qualifications of employment, this systems are far from perfect.  Many are filled with bugs and most have different criteria that is weighted to determine qualifications of employment.  In short, contrary to popular belief, not all ATS systems are not created equal.

Therefore, for recruiters to make an impact, relationship building and creating an understanding of the candidate's intent, skills, successes, not to mention the compensation package negotiations, and whether or not the candidate is the right "culture fit" cannot be fully automated.

Given the information above, this makes networking more important than ever.  Relying solely on submitting resumes into ATS systems is not going to yield the response rate you, as a candidate desire on your hunt to find the right opportunity.

Does this post add value to your business day?  I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F.  Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily)

Ghost Posting - Check the Posting Date.

 1. Check the Job Posting Date

One of the first indicators of a ghost job posting is the date it was listed. Jobs that remain open for an unusually long time without updates might be inactive. Companies often leave these postings up to build a pool of potential candidates for future needs rather than immediate hires.

Actionable Tip: Set up job alerts to receive the latest postings and prioritize those listed recently.

Source: Connorsgroup.com

Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily)

Job Search Strategies - Emphasis for Those Who Have Been on the Sidelines for 90+ Days

Job Search Strategies - Emphasis for Those Who Have Been on the Sidelines for 90+ Days

1.      “Fill the gap” with consulting gigs, volunteerism and training classes. 

2.      Understand the importance of writing a solid cover letter 

3.      If you do not know how to network, it is time to learn.  Networking should be your #1 channel for finding opportunities.  Concentrate on your “business” network, not “friends and family”.

4.      Take some time and read up about interviewing.  Do not “wing it”.

Does this post add value to your business day?  I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F.  Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily)

Cover Letters Remain Relevant, Despite AI

Cover Letters Remain Relevant, Despite AI

The cover letter remains important. Those that say it isn't probably have a hard time writing one. Do not fall into that category. Failure to dedicate time and thought to writing a cover letter could result in disqualification.

Taking the lazy way out and using an AI tool to write a cover letter will likely also result in an immediate rejection. Hiring managers can spot AI-generated content from a mile away and they don't like it - they use either the eyeball test or software that scans documents for AI content.

Don't listen to the newbies / pontificators that say the cover letter is dead. Don't be a sucker and make sure you have a cover letter in your arsenal, ready to submit when requested.

You Need To:

1. Represent why you are qualified for the position (list of skills and successes)

2. Keep the Letter to One Page

3. Use specific examples to illustrate your skills and experience

Here is an easy guideline for submission. Your default should be "resume and cover letter" unless the posting specifically says "resume only".

Responses are encouraged.

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Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily)

Today's Quote:

Today's Quote:

"I hate the word "lucky". It cheapens a lot of hard work.

Peter Dinklage

Work ethic reigns supreme. Some people get lucky but most success is achieved through concentration and effort.

Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

AI and Recruiters

AI and Recruiters

Using artificial intelligence (AI) for writing your resume is viewed negatively by recruiters. While AI-generated content can be a time-saver, recruiters and hiring managers are becoming more adept at detecting the use of AI in resumes and cover letters. Submitting AI-generated materials without differentiation from the original content (aka - detected by the reader (recruiter) or the applicant tracking systems ATS)) could lead to rejection.

This is particularly true when multiple applicants submit identical or highly similar materials, which could raise concerns about plagiarism. 

Does this post add value to your business day?  I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F.  Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily)