Differentiating yourself from the pack is one of the keys to a successful job search. A strong resume and robust LinkedIn profile will contribute to that. Having great interview skills will set you apart as well.

A search on Google will turn up a ton of articles on these job-search topics. Many appear on my blog.

One thing that’s not written about as often is the importance of sending a thank you note after a job interview. Sending a thank you note is one of those things that everyone knows they should do, yet very few people actually do it.

Since so few people do send thank you notes, sending one will make you stand out. A well-written note can propel you along the interview process. It may become a deciding factor when it’s the end of the interview process and the choice is between you and one or two other candidates.

While sending even a basic thank you note, for example “thank you for your time, blah, blah, blah,” will help, making a strong case for why you are the best candidate for the job is a much better way to turn the tables in your favor.

One of the reasons people don’t send thank you notes is because they don’t know what to say.

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This weekend marks the unofficial end to summer. Despite the endless rain and 90-degree days, I’m sorry to see it go. I’m guessing you are too.

I plan to enjoy summer’s last, long holiday weekend. You should too.

But, if you’re looking for a new job, squeeze in a little work as well.

Here are 5 easy things you can do that will help you get a jump on your fall job search. Do 1 or do them all. They are in no particular order.

#1 Target Employers

Create a list of 10 target employers. Places where you’ve always wanted to work. Maybe they’re your company’s competitor or what they do inspire you or they exude the culture you seek.  Set up Google alerts on them. Schedule a time each week to visit their websites for career and business information.

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Unfortunately, most resumes, including executive resumes, show change not momentum. Many of the resumes I see indicate that the client has moved from one position to another, but doesn’t emphasize the underlying factors.

One of the reasons employers prefer reverse-chronological resumes is because they show a candidate’s career progression. But, when you want to convey value it’s not enough to just indicate that you moved from one position to another. Even if that move has been to a higher position.

Some people are moved up the ladder because they’ve been with a company the requisite time. Others are promoted because of their achievements.

Consider that when putting together your executive resume.

Let’s say you were recruited by your current employer right out of college. Over the last 10 years you’ve changed positions 3 times. Maybe each time you were even promoted.

That’s great.

But, depending on your particular situation, it might be even better.

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If you’re looking for a new job, there’s some good news on the horizon. Most employers plan to take on new staff before the end of 2018.

Now through December 63% of employers, up from 60% last year, plan to hire full-time permanent employees according to CareerBuilder’s Midyear Job Forecast.

Even better, a substantial number of surveyed employers say they expect to offer higher salaries and perks including signing bonuses, extra PTO, free lunches, and remote work options to attract and retain talent.

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Sometimes you’ll have a lot of time to decide, sometimes not.

Whatever the circumstances, it will be easier to make that decision if you have some sort of decision-making process in place.

Here are 3 options you can try if you receive more than one job offer.

Pros and Cons

This is a long standing method that needs very little explanation. You make two columns listing the Pros on one side and the Cons on the other. If you’re deciding between two jobs you’ll have to do an assessment of each and then evaluate which one is more appealing.

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Good recruiters don’t just place employment ads and wait. They go out and find candidates.

Why?

First, recruiters know that most of the people who respond to ads are not remotely qualified. They don’t want to waste their time.

Second, recruiters know that passive candidates and those casually looking are not regularly reading job ads. Yes, they might be open to a great opportunity, but they’re not actively looking.

Third, recruiters know that the chances are slim that someone who works for their employer’s competitor will respond to an ad. These people need to be found and enticed.

While there are many ways to find candidates, most recruiters turn to LinkedIn. Many spend hours setting up LinkedIn searches and combing through the results.

I certainly did when I was a recruiter.

Even if you’re not actively looking, you need to have a LinkedIn profile that will help recruiters find you.

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Looking for a job isn’t easy. Getting an interview is tough. Securing an offer is even tougher.

If the whole process was easy, unhappy workers wouldn’t hesitate to make a change. People wouldn’t be as devastated when they lost a job.

Of course, one of the most difficult thing for jobseekers is trying to figure out what hiring managers think. What are they looking for? What questions will they be asked during an interview? Is talking badly about a boss or former boss really that bad?

The list of questions goes on.

Well, today, we’re going to provide some insights gleaned from a survey of hiring managers conducted by Simply Hired**.

What You Can Expect

While a robust, optimized LinkedIn profile is essential to being found on LinkedIn, most (71%) of hiring managers don’t check candidate’s profiles. Of course, that means almost 30% do.

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Early in your career a resume that proves you have experience may be enough to get you the job. Once you’ve reached the executive level, it’s not.

Once you’re at the executive level, or are targeting those roles, you need to demonstrate value.

The value you bring to a potential employer.

At this level, recruiters and employers won’t be impressed that you managed a team, even a large team. That’s expected.

Recruiters and hiring managers want to see the positive impact you’ve had on your current and previous employers. The impact you’ve had on your team, on your department, or across the company.

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After a tough winter, summer is finally here. Vacationers back up traffic for miles and sometimes there’s even a line at the beach. Time to sit back, enjoy the warm weather, and chill.

Not so fast.

Tempting as it may be, if you’re looking for a new job, this is not the time to slack off.

Even a decade ago, most people thought summer was not a good time to look for a job. In some respects, they were right. But, things are much different today. While recruiters and hiring managers may be taking long weekends, even week-long vacations, in our 24/7 world of work no one is ever really out of the office.

That means it’s not the time to kick back and wait for September. Here are four ways to keep your job search moving this summer.

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Every time I attend a networking event I run into at least one person looking for work.

Every. Single. Time.

Many of them want to make a move, some have recently lost their job, others have been unemployed for several months.

Whatever their situation, the majority are there with a friend or colleague.

This is a BIG mistake.

HUGE!

While networking should be part of your life (whether you’re looking or not) you’ll get a lot more out of events if you go to them alone. Here’s why.

If you go to an event with a friend or colleague, it’s likely you’ll spend most of your time with them. You’ll chat over cocktails and sit together at dinner.

Will you meet other people?

Probably.

But, not nearly as many as you would meet if you went alone.

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