The Job Hunter’s Toolbox: What’s in Your Toolbox?

 

Question: Rob, I have heard you talk about the Job Hunter’s Toolbox. What is the Job Hunter’s Toolbox?

Rob’s answer: The Job Hunter’s Toolbox is a scrapbook of who you are; your work experiences, education (your paper work that lets your future employer know you know what you are talking about), and your life lessons. In addition, it brings a sense of accomplishment. As I have told others, “you may not be as good as you thought you were, but you are not as bad as you feel”. Your Job Hunter’s Toolbox is fluid; you customize the contents to fit each job interview as each tool enables you hammer away at the nuts and bolts to maximize your career search. Everyone has a toolbox. Your Job Hunting Toolbox is unique to you. It is getting to know yourself and is your best source of tools that will help you land you next job. It is the first impression you make with your future employer.

The resume is the first tool in your box. Your resume is a road map of where you have been and a good indicator of where you're headed. Before adding your resume to the toolbox make sure every “i” is dotted and “t” is cross. Ask someone to proof it for you for grammar and spelling. Remember to tailor each resume to match the job description (In the next article, I will discuss resumes Do’s and Don’ts.).

Your cover letter is the next tool. A carefully crafted cover letter introduces you to your future employer, explains how your skills, aptitude (things that come naturally to you), life lessons, and talent make you the right person for the job! Again, ask someone to proof it for you for grammar and spelling. I submitted a resume and cover letter for a job I knew I could do! I spell checked and proofed it many times before submitting it to company’s HR manager. The HR manager emailed me back and said I had a misspelled word in my cover letter. How could I have a misspelled word? I used spell check! I printed the letter, read it top to bottom and bottom to top, and that’s when the error jumped out at me. I have superb management skills, but my “manger skills”- as in “away in the manger” are nonexistence! Not that my “manger skills” or lack thereof kept me from getting the position, but it didn’t help.

Other items in your toolbox include copies of:

• diploma(s), certifications, and degrees
• letters of recommendations
• pictures of you in action
• evaluations

I don’t want to disappoint you, but my toolbox is actually a white notebook. I take it with me when I go on job interviews. My personal logo is on the cover and I put copies of the above items in plastic selves so that I can hand them to the interviewer or hiring professional as we talk. If nothing else, you will be remembered!

Next: "Your Business Card Resume"