What’s In and What’s Out for People Coming Back to Job Hunting

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Vintage Journalist According to new research from Robert Half Accountemps, 21 percent of professionals plan to find a new job this year (up from 17 percent last year) and 45 percent of those who don’t feel there are advancement opportunities at their current company plan to begin a new job hunt. That’s a lot of people hitting the job market, but are they prepared for the latest trends in job searching?

They may not be, according to more research from the firm. Nearly half (48 percent) of employed workers interviewed said it’s been at least five years since they last looked for a new job; this includes 30 percent of survey respondents who haven’t conducted a job search in more than a decade.

“Professionals who plan to pursue greener pastures should be aware of how job-search strategies have evolved,” said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps, in a news release. Messmer, author of Managing Your Career For Dummies, added, “Change is the only constant today. Applicants can gain an edge by keeping up with the latest job-hunting trends, tools and tactics.”

Some of the “what’s out” info does seem like it’s been out for a while, such as single interviews and a list of job duties on a resume without accomplishments. However, the “what’s in” advice will help keep you focused when job hunting.

So, what’s in and what’s out, according to Accountemps?

What’s In

  • An executive summary on your resume that emphasizes your most relevant skills.
  • Highlighting key accomplishments on your resume. Hiring managers want to see results, such as how much time or money you saved a previous employer.
  • A concise cover letter or email introduction that’s targeted and relevant, and complements the information in your resume.
  • Compelling social media profiles. How you present yourself on social media, from LinkedIn to Twitter to Google+ can be a major boon or bust for your job-search efforts. Use these sites to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise.
  • Video interviews. These have become increasingly common, and can be tricky to master. Learn to present yourself well on camera.
  • Multiple interviews. Get ready to meet with many people in a company before a job offer is extended. Although the process can be tiring, keep your energy levels high throughout the process.
  • Emailed thank-you notes. Once considered a shortcut, a timely email is now a must. The two or three days it takes to get a letter via post is too long for a hiring manager to wait.

What’s Out

  • Objective statements on resumes. These self-focused openings may do more to weed you out than gain an employer’s interest.
  • Lists of job duties on resumes. Employers typically know what a job entails. Providing a laundry list of responsibilities without results may land your resume in the “no” pile.
  • Long, cookie-cutter cover letters that only reiterate the information on your resume.
  • Keeping a low profile on social media. A limited presence on professional networking sites won’t get you noticed.
  • Traveling for interviews. It’s more likely that you’ll interview via video, unless you are interviewing for a senior-level position.
  • A single interview. It’s less common to be hired after one meeting with a hiring manager. Prepare yourself for many interviews and target your remarks to each audience. Potential coworkers may have different concerns than managers, for example.
  • Sending only handwritten notes. A note sent via post is still a classy move—but send an email first so you get the advantage of a timely response.

For those of you keeping track, the survey was developed by Accountemps and includes responses from more than 400 employees 18 years of age and older who work in an office environment in the United States.

By Keith Griffin