Job hunting tip – Using Linkedin to get results
After working for the same company for 5 years, I got laid off in Jan 2010. I spent the next year taking a break from my role as a Network Engineer/Administrator to work on a more creative project: Webmaster for iLoveHouseMusic.com. I spent over 13 months in the coding cave, and started my job hunt February 2011 and found a Temp to hire position for a reputable company by June 2011. The 4 LONGEST months of my life!
I’d like to share a few tips and tricks that helped me get through this tough process, especially in today’s economy.
Your resume sucks
I went through 4 resume revisions. Ultimately this depends on what kind of job you are looking for, but you need to come to terms with idea that your resume is not going to be “the one” right off the bat. If you receive feedback on how to improve your resume – just do it. Sometimes you don’t see how well something works until you actually do it. For instance, I was pretty FIRM on having my education listed near the top of first page of my resume. My degree means the world to me! Moving it to the bottom of the last page seemed like a negative thing. But the reality is, for a technical resume, recruiters want to see some key projects and technologies you’ve worked on right up front.
Practice interviewing
I went 6 years without having to look for a job. You bet I was rusty! Employ your friends to ask you both soft skills and technical questions related to your field. Practice selling yourself. Practice telling your story about your work experience.
Sign up for Linkedin
Stop messing around on Facebook and get your Linkedin profile setup. Linkedin is EVERYTHING that Facebook will never be.