Get an edge on the competition with a job search makeover

Nearly 15 million Americans don’t have jobs right now, and the competition to get a job is fierce.

There are 5.7 people unemployed for every one job available. 

Linda Staley says the timing of our visit couldn’t be more perfect.  She’s been looking for work as an executive assistant since September and her husband has been out of work since may and his benefits just ran out.

So our experts were ready to help.

First Kristin Kane from Kane Partners reviewed Linda’s resume.

She says, “Her keywords and action words, all were lost in paragraph form.  First thing we did was pull them all out in bullet format.  It was the first word up and we went from there.“

Kane says her title and the companies she worked for were lost on her version, so Kane used bold type and italics to make them stand out.

“So this is a very direct resume.  This is a more seek and find resume,“ says Kane.

Steve Emerson from Emerson Personnel Group had reviewed the 30 second video resume Linda did for us.

He told Linda she had a great smile and reminded her to smile, be positive, have a firm handshake, talk about what she can do for the company.

And Emerson says if you don’t ask questions, you’re not going to get the job.

“What’s your company’s philosophy?  Who are your competitors?  Are you in a growth mode?  These are all great questions to ask in any hiring situation,“ says Emerson.

And before leaving an interview, clearly define the next step.  Will they call, or should you?  Will there be a second round of interviews?  And he says, “Always send a hand-written thank you note.  I know it sounds trite.  I know it sounds old school, but it really, can you agree that the goal is to separate yourselves from the pack, which in this environment, that’s one way to do it.“

And then one more expert to help.

Our Cheap Chica Lilliana Vasquez helped Linda put together a perfect interview outfit.

She started with this black dress in Linda’s closet.

Vasquez saya, “You already have a great piece to start off with.  You don’t have to go out and buy another dress or buy a suit for work.  Work with what you have and instead change the accessories.“

Lilliana suggested a great bag and shoes.  Maybe a long necklace or a scarf, easy and inexpensive.  Linda was grateful for the job search makeover.

“This is unbelievable.  I think I have a pretty good chance,“ she says.

And one more tip from Steve Emerson: Always in an interview say it out loud, “I want this job.“