Job Search Tips for Chicagoland I.T. Professionals
By Frazer Donaldson
Given the economy, we have unfortunately been receiving an increased amount of resumes and phone calls from laid off and soon-to-be-laid-off technology professionals, many with exceptional backgrounds and accomplishments. These individuals run the gamut in titles from V.P. of IT, to Senior Developer, to DBA, to CIO.
We are working hard to place as many as possible at LionSearch's clients, but for those we cannot help at this time, below are some basic job search tips, some of which may be obvious, and some brand new.
Job Boards: They are free to post your resume (except certain pay sites like "The Ladders"), and are still a viable tool in one's comprehensive job search. Make sure to 'refresh' your resume on a weekly basis to ensure it appears at the top of any search done by hiring firms. A short list includes Monster, Careerbuilder, Dice, and Craig's List.
And go beyond what you think are the only sites relevant to your job search. For example, if you are an accountant why not place your resume on Dice, typically a technology job board? Many accountants are tech-savvy and may even work with ERP systems such as Peoplesoft or Oracle Financials.
Resume: Everyone is a resume critic, so if you ask 10 people for their feedback, you'll get 10 different versions! The key is to recognize that this document will get you in the door, for either a phone interview or in-person interview, but it will not get you the job. Therefore page one needs to be very easy to read, succinct yet impressive, and ideally will be targeted to the job for which you are applying.
I once read that hiring managers spend an average of eight to twelve seconds reading each resume! If they don't see what they are looking for, the resume goes in the circular file (the trash can). Make your first page count; there is no second chance.
Networking Organizations: This week the Chicago Tribune's Local Edition ran a list of mostly free professional networking groups that meet in churches and community centers in the Chicago suburbs on a weekly and monthly basis (www.triblocal.com).
A group called TLA (www.techleaders.net) is a well-run, free organization with well-attended monthly meetings and interesting guest speakers, that targets more senior IT professionals who are in between jobs.
Linked In: A friend and I joke that whenever we receive a Linked In (LI) invitation, the sender is starting a job search! It's smart to increase your number of connections in Linked In, to beef up your job descriptions and accomplishments in your LI profile, and, most importantly, to use the search function. Many people don't realize this capability of LI but it can direct you to friends of friends in your target companies whom you can call or email directly about your job search.
The best approach in any job search is the 'shotgun approach'- hit multiple sources, firms, contacts, etc., all at once, and in rapid succession. Stay aggressive yet professional and you will see more job leads materialize.
Good luck and if we can help, please let us know.
Given the economy, we have unfortunately been receiving an increased amount of resumes and phone calls from laid off and soon-to-be-laid-off technology professionals, many with exceptional backgrounds and accomplishments. These individuals run the gamut in titles from V.P. of IT, to Senior Developer, to DBA, to CIO.
We are working hard to place as many as possible at LionSearch's clients, but for those we cannot help at this time, below are some basic job search tips, some of which may be obvious, and some brand new.
Job Boards: They are free to post your resume (except certain pay sites like "The Ladders"), and are still a viable tool in one's comprehensive job search. Make sure to 'refresh' your resume on a weekly basis to ensure it appears at the top of any search done by hiring firms. A short list includes Monster, Careerbuilder, Dice, and Craig's List.
And go beyond what you think are the only sites relevant to your job search. For example, if you are an accountant why not place your resume on Dice, typically a technology job board? Many accountants are tech-savvy and may even work with ERP systems such as Peoplesoft or Oracle Financials.
Resume: Everyone is a resume critic, so if you ask 10 people for their feedback, you'll get 10 different versions! The key is to recognize that this document will get you in the door, for either a phone interview or in-person interview, but it will not get you the job. Therefore page one needs to be very easy to read, succinct yet impressive, and ideally will be targeted to the job for which you are applying.
I once read that hiring managers spend an average of eight to twelve seconds reading each resume! If they don't see what they are looking for, the resume goes in the circular file (the trash can). Make your first page count; there is no second chance.
Networking Organizations: This week the Chicago Tribune's Local Edition ran a list of mostly free professional networking groups that meet in churches and community centers in the Chicago suburbs on a weekly and monthly basis (www.triblocal.com).
A group called TLA (www.techleaders.net) is a well-run, free organization with well-attended monthly meetings and interesting guest speakers, that targets more senior IT professionals who are in between jobs.
Linked In: A friend and I joke that whenever we receive a Linked In (LI) invitation, the sender is starting a job search! It's smart to increase your number of connections in Linked In, to beef up your job descriptions and accomplishments in your LI profile, and, most importantly, to use the search function. Many people don't realize this capability of LI but it can direct you to friends of friends in your target companies whom you can call or email directly about your job search.
The best approach in any job search is the 'shotgun approach'- hit multiple sources, firms, contacts, etc., all at once, and in rapid succession. Stay aggressive yet professional and you will see more job leads materialize.
Good luck and if we can help, please let us know.
posted by LionSearch at
11:41 AM
<< Home