50+
Hands-on* Tips and Tricks
for Your Job Search
* Many of which you’ve likely not heard before. And the list is still growing!
They cover every vital aspect of your job search! Subscribe now to receive a focused tip every 3 days, and look forward to the impact they’ll make on your progress:
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I put job seekers across the world on the road to success. For more than 25 years now! Read more about me here.
Topic Preview
001 > Destined to fail: A job search without a focus
Starting out on a search for open positions without a clear focus is one of the biggest mistakes job seekers can make.
002 > The most common reason for unsuccessful job applications
If you eliminate the fundamental problem I describe in this message, you will greatly increase your chances of getting the job you want.
003 > The best job search: Avoid the masses
The motto "Avoid the masses" should already guide your search for open positions and not just your actual job applications.
004 > The best job search: Let them find you
The best way to get a great new job is to have prospective employers make the first move.
005 > Never present yourself as a job seeker in need
Regardless of how bad your current personal situation may be, never present yourself as someone in trouble!
006 > Understand the only goal of your CV/résumé
Why are you writing a CV/résumé? As a matter of fact, this document can't get you a job. So, what's the actual purpose of your CV/résumé?
007 > Why you shouldn't have a specialist write your CV/résumé
There are 3 good reasons not to delegate the work on this crucial document to anyone else. And yes, not to me either.
008 > Even if you hate networking ...
Even if you hate networking, there is a book about it you should read. And you may even get it for free.
009 > How to get a good job in a different industry
A change of industry can sometimes be the perfect solution to get you out of trouble. The right approach to achieve that is often not found intuitively. However, it may be easier than you think.
010 > The result was a job offer I could only have dreamt of before
What do people who've bought my step-by-step guide to creating a compelling CV/résumé actually say after implementing the many tips and tricks in their documents and applying with them?
011 > 27 Words you should be careful with in your presentation
There's a great article by Jeff Haden titled "27 Words You Should Never Use to Describe Yourself," which I strongly recommend reading before working on your CV/résumé, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile.
012 > Use the powerful potential of your LinkedIn headline
Your headline is the most valuable self-marketing place you have on your LinkedIn profile to make the right hiring managers and recruiters aware of your availability as a candidate.
013 > The answer to how many pages a CV/résumé should have
I don't know who invented the nonsense about always limiting a CV/résumé to 1-2 pages, but it was certainly someone who had no clue about the topic. So, how long should it be?
014 > Why NOT to use the LinkedIn photo frame #OpenToWork
Job seekers on LinkedIn can add a green half-circle featuring the hashtag #OpenToWork to their profile photo as a picture frame. Unfortunately, there is a big catch.
015 > What really counts to make your job search a success
Following one's intuition can be advisable for a job seeker in some situations, but also very counterproductive in others. There is a common pitfall especially high performers fall into that you must avoid.
016 > Job applications: The persuasive power of numbers
Properly used, numbers don't just liven up your texts but also offer an enormous persuasive power.
017 > Improve your CV/résumé by removing damaging information
Many CVs/résumés contain information that not only doesn't increase the applicant's chances of a job interview but actually reduces them! Asking yourself a specific question helps you prevent that.
018 > Salary negotiations: Know your lower limit
Never enter into salary negotiations unprepared! In this message, I address the importance of defining a precise lower limit for a salary offer that's still acceptable to you.
019 > Treat your job search like a business
Here's a blunt fact that many job seekers are not sufficiently aware of: Every job search is a business! Digging into it will help make your job hunt more efficient and effective.
020 > Beware of job descriptions
Do you rely on job descriptions to decide whether you should apply for a role? That can only work if the details in the descriptions are correct. More often than not, that's not the case.
021 > The pros and cons of using a headshot in your CV/résumé
Including a portrait photo in your CV/résumé isn't common practice in all countries. As a globally active coach, I'm therefore occasionally asked whether such a photo should be included, even if it's not typical in my client's own country.
022 > How to present your soft skills without sounding ridiculous
Having the right soft skills is often relevant to the degree of success even in rather technical positions, which is why their convincing presentation can play a decisive role in the outcome of a job application.
023 > Discover the giant hidden job market
There are 3 good reasons why public job listings shouldn't be your main source of openings.
024 > The elephant in the room of your job search
If someone's job search isn't going anywhere, it's easy to blame it on the hiring managers, the crowded job market, the government, or other external factors. Chances are that they're not the real reasons. Might there be an elephant in the room you haven't noticed?
025 > The best method to determine your job security
Most employees across the world care about job security, as it has a far-reaching impact on so many decisions in life. In this message, I explain how you can evaluate it for a current or prospective position.
026 > Six tips for getting your job applications through AI barriers
Many job applicants dread the use of applicant tracking systems (#ATS) by employers in general and the adoption of artificial intelligence (#AI) for preliminary decision-making in particular. In this message, I explain why those worries are often justified and what you can do to get your job applications through AI barriers safely.
027 > Hands-on tips for successful networking on LinkedIn & Co.
While many job seekers acknowledge the importance of professional networking, a significant number remain uncertain about the best way to do it. In this message, I share many tips for making networking fun and effective.
028 > Make your work experience an exciting read in your CV/résumé
The mere mentioning of previous tasks and responsibilities in your CV/résumé isn't sufficient to convince the reader of your competencies. As many job seekers struggle with that, I've created an example to show you the right approach.
029 > Who I am and how this may relate to you
My newsletter articles aren't supposed to be about me but to provide guidance to job seekers who want to optimize their approach. However, after more than 30 editions, you may have become curious about who's actually behind all this content.
030 > Replace your job search with a job magnet
While there may often be a need for an active job hunt to get a great new job as soon as possible, letting the great new job find you is much more favorable.
031 > These 7 steps will put you in the fast lane to the perfect job
The secret of an effective and efficient search for a great new job does not lie in hard work. Nor is a lot of luck needed for it. The successful approach only consists of a few core elements that have to be dealt with in a very specific order.
032 > Focus, focus, focus – Step #1 of a perfect job search
I explain Step #1 "Define the Focus for Your Search" of the 7-Step Method "Fast Lane to the Perfect Job" I have developed to maximize the success of my coaching clients.
033 > Create your list of successes – Step #2 of a perfect job search
I explain Step #2 "Create a list of relevant achievements" of the 7-Step Method "Fast Lane to the Perfect Job" I have developed to maximize the success of my coaching clients.
034 > Design your power CV/résumé – Step #3 of a perfect job search
I explain Step #3 "Design your focused and convincing CV/résumé" of the 7-Step Method "Fast Lane to the Perfect Job" I have developed to maximize the success of my coaching clients.
035 > Discover the right vacancies – Step #4 of a perfect job search
I explain Step #4 "Discover where the right vacancies are" of the 7-Step Method "Fast Lane to the Perfect Job" I have developed to maximize the success of my coaching clients.
036 > Open doors with your cover letters – Step #5 of a perfect job search
I explain Step #5 "Build the bridge to the open position with a cover letter" of the 7-Step Method "Fast Lane to the Perfect Job" I have developed to maximize the success of my coaching clients.
037 > Convince them in your job interviews – Step #6 of a perfect job search
I explain Step #6 "Prepare your pitch for the job interview" of the 7-Step Method "Fast Lane to the Perfect Job" I have developed to maximize the success of my coaching clients.
038 > Get the great salary you deserve – Step #7 of a perfect job search
I explain Step #7 "Prepare to negotiate your salary" of the 7-Step Method "Fast Lane to the Perfect Job" I have developed to maximize the success of my coaching clients.
039 > How to always get a great new boss
In this message, I share the most important psychological aspects to consider when determining whether the hiring manager will be the right boss for you.
040 > Beware of the many badly flawed Canva CV/résumés templates
The graphic design platform Canva offers a vast number of templates for creating a professionally looking CV/résumé. However, most of them are badly flawed and shouldn't be used. In this message, I explain the reasons and what you should do to make the right choice.
041 > Why your very competent friend never gets a job offer – And how to change that
Do you feel sorry for a competent friend who just cannot find a job? In this message, I explain why an intuitive approach to job hunting is common but often doomed to fail and what your friend needs to change to become successful.
042 > How to apply the 80/20 rule to your job hunt successfully
In this message, I explain how your job search can profit a lot from using the 80/20 rule if you apply it to all your activities in the right way.
043 > Discover the hidden selling points of your life experience for your job applications
It's important to become aware of all the life experience, knowledge, and skills you have to convince the hiring managers of your suitability when you apply for a new job. This is especially crucial if you want to change your industry at the same time.
044 > How to handle the double-edged sword of electronic job applications as a job seeker
Electronic job applications are standard practice in most industries. There are several good reasons for it, from which job applicants and hiring companies benefit. However, there are also serious drawbacks that can backfire on both sides as well.
045 > How to use AI tools on your job hunt wisely
"A fool with a tool is still a fool!" goes the adage, and that certainly applies to the use of AI tools on your job hunt as well. However, AI tools can be very helpful in this process if they’re used the right way.
046 > How hiring decisions are reached and what it means for you
In this message, I clear up a common misconception about what is required for a job seeker to become a top candidate.
047 > Why your CV/résumé is decisive
Your CV/résumé is the central document of your job applications and particularly important in the beginning of the application process. I explain the benefits of investing time to make it persuasive.
048 > Why you shouldn't use graphic rating elements in your CV/résumé
As tempting as it may be when you see that many handsome CV/résumé templates use graphic rating elements (e.g., star ratings) to showcase knowledge, skills, and experience, do not use any of those in your document.
049 > Don't stop your search for job openings too soon
I explain why you shouldn't stop searching for promising job leads until a new employment contract is signed.
050 > Why in-person networking still wins
I explain when in-person networking is more effective than online activities in a job search.
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