The Busy Bella

Career advice, guidance, interview tips, "HOW to get an interview" tips, what to wear for that interview, and most importantly what to wear once you get that job. Why am I qualified to address such issues? I am a Recruiter. In addition to recruiting every day my expertise is often shared wtih friends, neighbors, family, friends family, families friends, my small group of twitter peeps, linkedin, and now HERE!Obviously this is a HUGE subject matter. So first the basics.Need a job? Three things to start. 

Need a job? Start here: 

• Create a great resume. In fact you may need a few depending on the jobs you are applying to. I advise people have 2-3 resumes that vary a bit (perhaps one shows off your project management ability, and another is geared more towards things you have done in human resources). You can use the job posting you are applying to or targeting to help you get started. Make sure their qualifications and duties THEY WANT are being reflected in your resume to SHOW THEM you HAVE and CAN do what they need. Pull out the things that aren't needed for that role. I am shocked at how many people don't do this. 

• The world is digital and recruits work that way too. If you don't have a LinkedIn. Get one. Build it. And please, make sure it echos your paper resume in titles, places and dates of employment. To help you build your LinkedIn do a search of people that have the job you have done- or the job you want. You can use their profile to help guide you. Just don't say you did things you didn't do :)

• Applying to online job boards can start to feel pointless. And sometimes, I hate to say, it is! I can get 500 applicants for one job. And as a Recruiter I can get frustrated when I see application after application with resumes that are NOT relevant to the job. So sometimes I never even get a chance to open all the applications. So first- make sure you are qualified. Not just think you are, but you are. And once you determine that- if you can- go to the source itself. Yep, skip the application process. If you know someone at the company you are targeting- get them to give your resume to HR. If you don't, go ahead, contact the recruiter directly. BUT DON'T CALL. Recruiters don't love this. Find out their email, pop them an email- or email them through LinkedIn. But remember: If you do this- make sure their is a current job posted that matches your background and note that in subject line of email, or at least note in body of email the area you are targeting should a role in that department open up. Be brief, email should not be more than a paragraph. Don't forget to add a resume and a link to your LinkedIn profile and thank them for their time and consideration. 

*And when you get that interview: Don't forget to bring resumes.