A series of shorter stints at different companies no longer carries the same stigma it once did according to a 2014 study by CareerBuilder. More than half of employers (55 percent) responding to the survey said they have hired someone considered to be a job hopper and nearly one-third (32 percent) said they expect people to change jobs often.Read more

If you haven’t looked for a job in the last decade, or even in the last five years, you will find that things have changed. A lot. While searching employment ads used to be THE way to find a job, today it should be only one component of a job search.

Technological advances have transformed the way people look for work. The best strategy is to take a multipronged approach.

Stop Relying On Ads

Combing the job ads used to be the way you found a job. Today, searching employment ads and applying for jobs online should be only one part of your job-search strategy.  Many jobs are found through networking, online and offline. Schedule at least 2 networking events a month if you’re actively looking for a new opportunity. A referral can sometimes open doors.

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1 Make a list of your target employers and try to network your way in. As your friends, family, LinkedIn connections, etc. if they know anyone who works for one of your choices.

2 Keep a record of the companies and positions where you have applied. This will save confusion if you are contacted by someone from HR or a recruiter who is working on a position you’ve already applied for.

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Your LinkedIn Professional Headline is very valuable real estate. It’s the first line people see when they view your profile.  It’s also the first line people see when they do a LinkedIn search. (That includes recruiters who are trying to fill open positions.)

So it’s in your best interest to make it count.

Unfortunately, most people don’t use LinkedIn’s Professional Headline to their best advantage.

By Default

If left alone your LinkedIn headline will default to the title of your current position. This may or may not work to your advantage. If you’re a marketing manager who wants to remain a marketing manager allowing your LinkedIn profile to default to your current position probably won’t hurt you.

Providing you have a robust, optimized profile recruiters trying to fill a marketing manager position may find you. Still, leaving your headline in default mode won’t do much to help you either.

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Many people I talk to, particularly those over a certain age, scoff at the idea that there can be any true relationship with the folks you meet online.

A few of my friends had to be dragged kicking and screaming to LinkedIn. Almost every job seeker I’ve suggested sign up for Twitter says, “That’s not for me.”

Really, not for you?

Why not?

I know many people, myself included, who have developed valuable professional and personal relationships with people they met on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Strong references can be the difference between getting a “thanks for your interest” email and getting  a job offer. That’s why it’s essential to have your references in place before you begin looking for a new job.

I’ll never forget a call I had with one of a candidate’s references when I was working as a recruiter. The candidate looked great on paper. She presented herself well during an in-person interview. I was eager to talk to her references.

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Whenever I speak to a group of job seekers the first question I ask is “How many of you have a resume?” Almost every hand goes up. Great. The second question is “How many of you have a business card?” Only a few hands go up. Not so great.

Unfortunately, many job seekers, don’t realize that when used correctly business cards can be an important marketing tool. When used incorrectly, not so much.

About a year ago, I attended a networking event sponsored by my local SHRM. Most of the attendees were in human resources. Not surprisingly, there were many job seekers there as well.  Smart move. There’s no better place to meet people working in HR than at an HR event.

When I arrived, I spent some time chatting with a recently laid-off woman who was looking for a position in HR. As we said goodbye, I asked her for her business card. She said since she was out of work she didn’t have a “business card” per se. She then proceeded to apologetically hand me a card for the small jewelry business she was running on the side. Obviously, it had nothing to do with her job-search objectives.

Big mistake.

If you’re unemployed, or even if you’re not, it’s a good idea to have business cards. Business cards are essential for networking events and job fairs. First, you need to provide a way for people to contact you. Second, you need to have a way for them to remember you. Finally, if you’re currently employed you need to give people a way to contact you outside of your office.

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The best way to get the attention of potential employers, to get them to contact you for an interview is to clearly demonstrate your value.

That means how you’ve solved problems for your current employer.

Employers aren’t looking for someone to take care of daily activities.

They’re looking for someone who will have an impact on the team, the department, or even the company. They want to know “What’s In It For Me?”

If you’re not a senior executive you may think this doesn’t apply to you.

But, it does.

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If you’re looking for a new job, you’ll be meeting a lot of new people. You’ll interact with potential bosses, colleagues, and maybe, depending on your level, a staff. Some of them you’ll hit it off with, others not so much.

One thing you need to do with all of them is avoid making assumptions.

It’s easy to make assumptions about the people you meet based on nothing more than gender, race, age, etc. Often it happens on unconscious level.

Like when you steer clear of the female sales associate at the Apple store because a) she’s a woman and b) she looks over 50. I’ve been guilty of that. Or you may dismiss the new admin’s ideas because he’s the same age as your son or maybe your nephew.

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Cutting expenses is essential when you’re out of work. I know. I’ve been there.

But, some things, like having a sharp interviewing outfit, are essential too.

You probably wouldn’t pull out a suit you wore 10+-years-ago. You probably wouldn’t forgo a manicure. You certainly wouldn’t cut your own hair to save money either.

But, many people feel it’s perfectly OK to write their own resumes.

After all, they’re on a budget and a resume crafted by a pro isn’t cheap.

So why not pull out that old resume, the one that worked just fine 5-years-ago, and just add on their most recent employment? After all the company names, dates of employment, and responsibilities are there.

Unfortunately, many people don’t understand that everything, including resumes, has changed.

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