What resources can you use to assess your job search skills?

It really helps to work with a career coach in this phase of your job search - it can be difficult to sort through the wide variety of feedback you can receive from such tools as those mentioned. As I like to say "It's hard to read the label of the bottle you are in."

Nothing is more important than to know how to sell yourself! You can utilize online self-assessment tools and quizzes tailored for job seekers. Career counseling and coaching services often offer evaluations of job search competencies. Books on job hunting provide insights and exercises to gauge your proficiency. Additionally, feedback from mentors, peers, or professionals in your network can be invaluable. Participating in job search workshops or webinars can also provide an opportunity to test and refine your skills in real-time. Also, frequent reflection on successes and challenges during the search can help in continuously honing these skills. Make sure your CV is not a job description but quantifiably speaks to your achievements!

Self-assessment tools are great for gaining an objective view of yourself as we tend to downplay our positive traits and amplify the ones we are not so proud of. I strongly recommend working with a career coach or other similar professional to help you unpack and understand the results so that you build a well-rounded view of yourself and develop an action plan to guide you as you work on closing whatever gaps the assessment tool reveals

Luckily, there are some easy and efficacious ways present that can be a turning point in your career. But, unfortunately, we ignore the straight option right in front and seek different options, courses, and many other things. However, just a little extra time with an active online presence on LinkedIn can surely help you in your job help journey. From great and experienced connections to very useful learning courses and skills tests, you have all under one platform. If you are really interested in expanding your reach and learning about the industry, the most beneficial way is to seek opportunities on LinkedIn. "Sharing from my personal experience."

You can consider adding practical tips or actionable steps for yourself to follow when using these self-assessment tools, such as DISC, 16personalities or ViaCharacter. Then you can interpret your results, such as highlighting key takeaways and how to apply them to your job search process. Lastly, you can include your success stories by benefiting from using such tools can help you with your job search.

It's simple but challenging to write a CV: A CV needs to be concise and clear (up to 2 pages). No need to include a photo, as it's already on LinkedIn. Highlight relevant achievements and results that demonstrate a set of skills. And don't lie or overvalue yourself; seek help from a career consultant/expert. As for the cover letter, describe what you know and understand, making a connection with the job description. Be strategic!

✔️Remember that your resume is a fluid document that must constantly be adapted to fit the job requirements. ✔️Before submitting your resume dissect the job posting to make sure there is alignment. ✔️Don't offer them oranges and grapes when they only need oranges. What this means is that you give them what they are looking for, unless adding grapes is something they really need and will set you apart from other candidates. ✔️Make use of the top third of the resume, referred to as 'Prime Real Estate'. Use this space to grab the reader's attention. ✔️Finally, don't depend on ChatGPT to write your resume. It is still using outdated "Objectives" and "References Available on Request".

Use AI tools as just that...tools. Don't let them write your resume for you. What differentiates you from your competition is how well you performed the job - your achievements. Those cannot come from outside of you via AI. Also, your personal brand differentiates you from your competition - which also cannot come from outside of you via AI.

Exploring your resume from a fresh perspective can now extend to the realm of AI. While an experienced career counsellor or job search strategist provides valuable insights into how your skills align with your desired role or career change, generative AI has pleasantly surprised me with its ability to offer unique perspectives. For instance, it can assist in brainstorming job titles for specific industries, outlining careers akin to your past experiences, and pinpointing skills acquired from various activities, challenges, or accomplishments listed in your resume. While not the sole option, integrating AI into your process adds an extra layer during your exploration and research phase.

If you ask a dozen people for feedback on your resume, you're likely going to get a dozen different opinions! Instead, I prefer to consider the source and evaluate the feedback accordingly. A recruiter can help you determine if your resume will catch their eye. A hiring manager can tell you if you have highlighted the relevant skills. A friend in another field can catch pesky typos. It's important to know your goals, your experience, and the norms of your industry to craft a stand out resume.

LinkedIn is key. As a professional LI profile writer, what I see from the people who come to me is not what they have on their profile - it's what they DON'T have. #1 - There's nothing to differentiate you from your competition so you really stand out. #2 - There's not enough content there to contain the keywords recruiters will be looking for. #3 Your LI footprint (who you are connected to AND who they are connected to) is so small that you are practically invisible. Strategically increasing your connections increases your visibility. #4 - By the time you are mid-career, you should be positioning yourself as a thought leader through meaningful contributions to your profession.

In my view, this step is often undervalued and overlooked when evaluating job search skills and embarking on a career change. Our digital presence extends beyond social media, and while tools like Google and BrandYourself offer insights into our online reputation, it's crucial to remember that some applicant tracking systems incorporate AI. These systems construct a comprehensive image of you from various online sources for recruiters. Establishing and overseeing a personal brand is more than just maintaining a professional LinkedIn profile; it involves crafting a strategic footprint that effectively showcases your talent.

Highly recommend working with a career coach so that you are getting professional advice rather than help from well-meaning family and friends who may have only a piece of the interviewing picture.

In the job search process, leveraging various channels and resources is vital. Job portals, recruitment agencies, networking (especially on Linkedin), companies, and industry forums can broaden your opportunities and connections, enhancing your chances of finding the ideal job. As I noticed while working with my clients, people can miss the important parts of them, particularly they don't give enough importance to the networking part, even though many of the jobs are filled through networking.

If a career coach or resume writer isn't in your budget, consider other low cost or free options! Your local library and/or university may have resources available for you to leverage. There may be job search groups or communities available. If you received a severance, check to see if outplacement support is included!

Another tool I find highly effective in this process is LinkedIn, particularly for uncovering success stories. It serves as an excellent platform to research profiles and discover the achievements of professionals in your field. I frequently encourage clients to analyse these individuals' career paths, networking strategies, and engagement on the platform.

I will always give attention to mindset, attitudes and specific beliefs. A long time back, in 2000, I took my first Career Coaching workshop, where the trainer said, "If you don't have work, your work is searching for work." Do most people spend a whole week's work journey worth of time and performance to find their next position?" I find that Coachees initially have an default idea about "putting it out there, then waiting." They may not have an idea of how to spend more time actively building a strategy. And then, beliefs can come into play, "I'm not qualified enough." or "I don't have experience enough." or other "not enoughs". These beliefs cloud the thinking and interfere with communication strategies. I would investigate this.