Job seekers tend to assume that all open positions are clearly listed. However, as few as 20% of open positions are posted on job boards. This means that job seekers who apply for work exclusively through job postings found online are missing a lot of opportunities. So how do you ask for a job that doesn’t exist or that isn’t listed as open? Just ask!
If you find a company you are interested in working for and don’t see any current openings listed that match your skill set, you can, and should, still submit a cover letter and resume to that company’s human resources department or to a suitable manager within the organization.
That may seem like a waste of time, but really, you will be getting ahead of the game. Whenever a position does open up, the hiring manager will hopefully already have you in mind. Take a look at this sample email asking for job openings to see what this looks like.
Sample Email Asking for Job Openings
Subject line: [Your Job Title (for instance, “Legal Secretary”)] Interested in Career Opportunities
[First Name of HR/Recruiter/Hiring Manager]
My name is [your name], and I am a [recent grad from [school] OR job title and your expertise; for instance, a “social worker with experience in child welfare.”] I hope you’re doing well.
I realize you do not currently have a job opening listed for a [job title], however, I would still like to make introductions and explore ways I can help your team with [value you can provide; for instance, “developing accessibility-focused website projects.”]
I checked out the [company’s name] website and like the projects you are currently developing, in particular:
[the name of a relevant project with an explanation for why you are interested]
[the name of a second relevant project with an explanation for why you are interested]
Note: This is also a great place to personalize your email and add information about where you heard about the company and why you would like to work for them.
For the past # years, I have worked with [your experience with examples of past clients or projects. Providing detail and showing you you will be an asset to their team is key.]
When time allows, please see a few examples of my work here:
[Link to example #1 of your work, if available; you can also attach files if it makes more sense. Be sure to reference the attachment name here instead]
[Link to example #2 OR attached file]
[Link to example #3 OR attached file]
Note: If you are a recent grad with limited real-world experience, provide links to college projects, case studies, internship projects or volunteer efforts.
I have also attached my resume to this email. Please let me know if I can provide more information.
Sometime in the near future, I look forward to speaking with you.
Warm Regards,
[Your name]
[Your email signature with contact information]
Apply for a job that doesn’t exist yet
The bottom line for how you ask for a job that doesn’t exist is that you have to take the initiative. Simply calling or sending a note based on this sample email asking for job openings can tell hiring managers that you have initiative and are eager to work with them. The company or hiring manager may not necessarily be looking for someone, or at least not yet. But when you prove yourself to be an attractive candidate, you will get your foot in the door for whatever opportunities come next. Start with this sample email asking for job openings and see where it takes you!
While every position requires different experiences, strengths and skills, there are certain employee qualities that are beneficial to any professional. When writing your resume or speaking to a potential employer, highlighting these qualities and giving examples of how they have benefited you in the workplace will give you a leg up on the competition. Additionally if you are a hiring manager, keep in mind these qualities to look for when hiring an employee.
1. Initiative
Taking initiative outside the set responsibilities of a position is an ideal quality to have as an employee. When hiring, employers want someone who can confidently complete their assignments, but they also want someone who will go above and beyond the call of duty.
2. Prioritizing
Being able to prioritize your responsibilities is another quality that makes good employees stand out in the workplace. An employer wants someone who can not only balance his or her many responsibilities, but also be able to recognize which ones are most important or time sensitive.
3. Communication
Strong communication skills will help you no matter what job you are applying for. Being able to speak professionally, clearly, and politely will take you far as a professional. Also, having good writing skills is equally important. Clear communication of ideas and the ability to give instructions are some great qualities to look for when hiring employees and to have highlighted when constructing a resume.
4. Reliability
A potential employer wants to know that he or she can count on you to be there when they need you. An ideal employee quality is punctuality and having a solid attendance record. When an employer needs extra help, a reliable employee will step in and pick up the slack without waiting for instruction.
Highlighting these four key qualities on a resume or in an interview will definitely benefit you in your job search.
If you need help hiring or looking for work, reach out to our recruiting team at Whitman Associates to get started with us today!
Are you looking for ways to advance your career? You may be seeking to get a job promotion or to go from temp to permanent. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, there are key things to keep in mind. Here are some tips that will help you get there.
Develop a win-win mindset
The first step in knowing how to advance your career is developing a win-win mindset. You can’t expect to move up if you’re only thinking about what’s best for yourself. Instead, think about the company’s goals and how they align with yours.
By taking some time to understand what your superior needs and to find solutions to problems, you make everyone’s life easier. If you lead by example, being genuinely helpful to your co-workers and superiors, others will likely follow and it will encourage a sense of community. In a world that celebrates a go-getter, differentiate yourself by being a go-giver.
Keep learning
There are three things you need to do to advance your career: learn from your mistakes, learn from others’ mistakes and keep learning new things. You can do this by taking classes or workshops, reading books on leadership or management, taking advice from your co-workers and industry professionals, listening to podcasts about industry trends, joining meetups related to your interests and even making friends outside of work who share similar passions as yourself. All these things will help shape how well prepared you will be for future opportunities that come down the road.
Keep in mind that there’s truly no such thing as a stagnant career. When you deeply understand how to get a job promotion or how to go from temp to permanent, you know that your job is set to change in different ways as time passes—and you should be too. That’s why keeping up with the latest trends and technologies is so important to advancing your career.
Build strong working relationships
The workplace is a social arena, and knowing how to build strong relationships with your colleagues will advance your career and lead to more opportunities for growth. Chat with your team during breaks, or set up a lunch meeting to discuss a professional goal you’re working on and how the team can get involved. Asking about their lives and opinions will help you understand how they think, which will expose you to new ways of thinking. Your co-workers might have insight or tips you’ve never heard of before – even if it’s about the best barbeque place in town or how to get on the boss’s good side. Learning new things and building relationships is key to climbing the career ladder.
In addition to being friendly and communicative with those around you, it’s also important that you learn how to work well as part of a team. Being able to collaborate effectively—and having others recognize this ability—will make your career prospects much brighter in the long run.
Take ownership of your work
Effective steps to advance your career include taking ownership of what you do and knowing how to do it well. This means that you don’t pass the blame on to others or say “I’m sorry” all the time. When work isn’t getting done properly, it’s up to you to make sure your work gets done correctly and on time.
Accountability speaks volumes about leadership. In taking responsibility, even if others weren’t clear about expectations from the start, you set the tone that you will be showing up no matter what.
Take initiative
In learning how to advance your career practically, there will be times when you are asked to take initiative and be proactive. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or get involved with new projects if needed.
If someone asks for help, take it as a chance to learn and offer support. The more confident and skilled you get in your field, the better off you and your company will be in the long run. More importantly, moving from a temp role to a permanent position or securing your chances of getting a job promotion will be a breeze.
Make yourself indispensable
Knowing how to advance your career means you understand that it’s a lot easier to get ahead if you’re the go-to person for everyone else. You know that when there are problems, your co-workers come to you for help. When others need guidance, they run to you first. If you have a reputation for being reliable and results-driven, it means that people will want to work with you and possibly for you. Make yourself indispensable by knowing what needs to be done in a crisis.
Be trustworthy
If you want to know how to get a job promotion or how to go from temp to permanent, developing a reputation for being honest and trustworthy is a crucial step. This means being a good communicator—you never know who you’re going to be working with, so it’s helpful if people know they can count on you and that what you say will be true.
In considering how to advance your career, you also need to make sure that the information you share with others is confidential. Keep secrets close at hand and don’t gossip about co-workers or clients.
Finally, avoid the temptation of becoming a know-it-all. This could alienate those around you professionally and socially, which could lead to negative consequences in both areas moving forward.
Network your way up
The people around you have the potential to help you understand how to advance your career in a variety of ways. They can provide mentorship and support, advise on how to improve your work and find jobs for which you’re well-suited. To make the most of this opportunity, build connections and network. Find people who are good at what they do. Asking someone for their insight can be intimidating if they seem far above your level in terms of experience or expertise—but it doesn’t have to be. Usually, they are more than happy to share what they have learned along the way.
If someone has been working in their field for a while, chances are they’ve learned from other people as well. Building a strong connection with one person opens you up to their network of connections as well. If nothing else, asking for help shows that you’re committed enough to your own success – which will not go unnoticed.
A final word
By following our tips on how to advance your career, you can distinguish yourself from the pack. The key to advancing your career is being willing to do the work. You need to be willing to invest in yourself, whether that means investing in books or online courses or taking advantage of any opportunities for training that come up at work.
You also need to be willing to learn new skills by stepping outside your comfort zone and trying new things—even if it feels a little uncomfortable or overwhelming at first. Taking advantage of career coaching or trying out new jobs and hobbies is a great way to push yourself to try new things you wouldn’t have thought about previously.
Lastly, remember that the paths to success are many and they’re not often linear. Let your uniqueness shine through as you advance.
D.C.’s top-rated staffing agency
If you need help with your job search or finding employees to fill open positions, Whitman Associates is your solution. We help employees find jobs they’ll love, potentially lifting them from temp work to a permanent position in a company. We also help employers by providing top-tier talent from the D.C. metropolitan area. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you succeed.
While a full-time, permanent position is ideal for most professionals in the workforce, temporary positions can be a great option for many people who find themselves looking for additional income and/or experience while pursuing that permanent job. Below, we have listed several situations where a short term job could be beneficial to your search for a permanent position. Although, our list is definitely not comprehensive; temporary work can be a great option for just about anyone.
1. Recent College Graduates
Temporary work is a great option for recent graduates who do not have a permanent position lined up upon graduation.
Temping can help give college graduates more real world, professional experience to add to their resume, especially if you didn’t have internships or work study experience while in school.
Utilizing a temporary staffing agency can help fill in the employment gap on your resume between graduation and starting your first permanent position. Potential employers will be impressed to see that you have been working and gaining experience while pursuing more full-time work.
Lastly, temporary work can help get your foot in the door with a company that you would not otherwise have access to. If the company you are temping for is pleased with your work, they could consider you for any full-time openings they might have.
2. Filling in the Gap
Like with recent college graduates, temp work can help fill in employment gaps on your resume. Even if the temporary work you are doing isn’t exactly relevant to your career goals, at least you can show a potential employer that you have not been sitting idle while searching for a new position.
Temporary work is also a great source of income when you’re in between jobs. While you probably won’t make as much as you were in your last permanent position, a little money is better than no money.
Temp jobs can also help expose you to new industries or environments that you might not have had the opportunity to explore otherwise. You might find a new interest or change your career goals after having a great experience temping within a different industry.
3. After Retirement
Temp work is an excellent option for professionals who have decided to end full-time careers, but aren’t quite ready to stop working altogether.
Part time work can bring in a little additional income or help fill your newly empty schedule.
Temping is also a good option because you can do daily or short term jobs, without making a long-term commitment.
Temp work can also be a good way for retired military personnel to transition into a civilian work environment.
Temporary staffing agencies value your years of professional experience.
4. Re-Entry Professionals
Professionals who are reentering the workforce after taking time off from their careers should definitely consider temp work as a way to get reacquainted with the office environment instead of charging in at full speed.
Coming back into the job market after a break in your career, to care for children or aging parents, can make it hard for you to start right back where you left off. Temporary work can help you get your foot in the door with an organization, and prove to them that you are ready to rejoin the workforce.
Staffing agencies like Whitman Associates help job seekers to transition into the workforce. Working temporary positions is definitely a positive step in the right direction and will help to find the right role for anyone out of work.
Not all job seekers are unemployed. In fact, a large number of the people are searching for a job while employed. These professionals are looking to make a change from their current positions. These job seekers have a whole separate list of tips for balancing their job searching while employed they should be aware of, so we’ve included a few below:
1. Don’t search for jobs while on the clock
This may seem like a no-brainer, but be sure you keep your current job separate from your job hunt. Your current employer is paying you to work for them, not to job hunt. Do all of your applying and job searching on your own time.
This doesn’t just apply to browsing job boards, but also be sure not to use your work phone, email or computer when corresponding with potential employers. Only use your personal contact information when applying for jobs or updating your resume. Within most companies, you are not the only person with access to your work email and call records.
If your employer discovers you’ve been searching for a job while employed and on the clock, it’s likely to be labeled as time theft which can result in a write up or even termination.
2. Be considerate of your current employer when scheduling interviews
If you get the opportunity to interview with a new company, whether in person or on the phone, try to schedule it so that you don’t need to take a whole day off from work.
Ideally, you should schedule interviews over your lunch break so that you don’t have to take any time off. If that is not a possibility, try to schedule them first thing in the morning or at the end of the day, so that you can either come in a little late or leave a little early without missing much work.
3. Give plenty of notice before quitting
If you do end up accepting a job offer, make sure to give your current employer plenty of notice. Two weeks notice is the generally acceptable amount of time, but every situation is different. Oftentimes you will help to train the person moving into your job. The more time you have to do this, the more seamless the transition will be. Your current employer will value your dedication, and your new employer will see that you are a loyal employee.
4. Utilize a staffing agency like Whitman Associates!
Lastly, using a staffing agency like Whitman Associates can take some pressure off your job searching. While employed full time, job searching can feel like another full time job. Work smarter, and have a staffing agency like us help you with your search. With a large client pool, staffing agencies see new jobs all the time. To get started with Whitman Associates, check our current job listings and email your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com.
Thinking about becoming a recruiter but not sure if you’ve got what it takes? Recruiting can be a great field to enter. It has tons of transferable skills and lots of upside. Plus, many recruiters are paid bonuses for filling positions. All in all, it’s an excellent field to enter. But many people think it requires a specific educational background or work experience. Not true! Read on to learn three tips for becoming a recruiter with little to no career experience.
1. Make Sure You Have The Personality
One of the biggest factors in determining if you would be a good recruiter is your personality. While you don’t necessarily have to be an extrovert, some key personality traits are must-haves if you want to become a recruiter with no experience:
An eye for matchmaking – Are you the type who always finds a match for your single friends? Do you just have the instinct for seeing when two people will be a good fit? Then you’ve got what it takes. Recruiters have to be able to assess personalities and skill sets and match them to positions they will be successful in.
Social media chops – Any good recruiter must have a love for social media. In today’s world, social media networking is one of the biggest ways that recruiters find matches. So being tech-savvy, having a large following, and knowing how to use your contacts to bring in others is a must.
Positivity – If you don’t have a positive attitude, even during the worst of times, it’s hard to convince anyone of anything. Since so much of a recruiter’s job is hyping up people and positions under any circumstance, a positive attitude is a must.
2. Make Sure You Have The Education
Education is a tricky one, because there is no degree in recruitment. So what field should you study? Essentially, you need any education. Recruiters frequently have bachelor’s degrees in HR or management, but this is absolutely not necessary. Do you have a degree in an engineering or science field? Recruit for a tech company. What about education? Look for a position at a university. Even a lawyer is qualified to be a recruiter. They could work for a law firm or governmental agency. If a field exists in which people need to be hired, then that field’s educational background would work well for recruiting. In short, if you want to become a recruiter with no experience, you probably need an education – but the sky’s the limit on what that education looks like.
3. Make Sure You Have The Skills
If you want to become a recruiter with no experience, here are three big skills that every prospective recruiter must have:
Sales Skills – Sales is the number one skill you must have to recruit. Recruiting is selling a job to a candidate and a candidate to an employer. If you want to prepare yourself for recruiting, go get a sales job… any sales job. Work at a clothes store and practice making people feel good about what they try on. Work at an electronics store and learn how to match people to the products they need. Try selling cars or other big-ticket items. Whatever sales skills you can develop will go a long way to helping you excel at recruiting.
Networking Skills – Networking is not only how to become a recruiter with no experience, it is essential to the success of a recruiter. You have to meet people to connect people, and that means doing a LOT of social things, and doing them well. The good thing is that networking skills can be learned. So start practicing. Go to networking events both online and in person. Create and practice your elevator pitch. Volunteer for organizations that you’re passionate about. Whatever networking you do will make you a better fit for any type of job in recruiting.
Project Management Skills – The recruitment process is essentially a big project. A need is found. A job description is created. The job is posted. The candidates are recruited. Interviews occur. A match is made. Each of these moving parts requires a keen eye for detail and project management to keep the process on track and on time. If you’re organized and good at managing lots of moving parts, recruiting may be the role for you.
Resume Writing Skills – Finally, building your own perfect resume is a great way to showcase your talents. Your resume should highlight your initiative, your ability to prioritize and multitask, and your communication skills. And as a recruiter, you can put those resume writing skills to use helping others with their resumes!
If recruiting sounds like the career of your dreams, don’t let a lack of experience stop you from going for it. Just get out there, pound the pavement, and apply, apply, apply. Temp agencies like Whitman Associates in the Washington DC area frequently post recruiting jobs. Temp jobs are typically easier to get and are great for resume and experience building. Check the job listings regularly and take a chance. With a little front-end effort, you can become a recruiter, even if you have no experience at all!
You’ve got the interview of your dreams, but they are only conducting online interviews. In today’s job market, it makes perfect sense. You could be interviewing for a remote position on the other side of the country, or your interview panel may be in various locations. Whatever the reason, video interviews are a common part of the interview process, so you need to be prepared. Thankfully, a video interview is really not that much different from an in-person interview. Here are six remote interview tips to make sure you show your best self online:
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare.
You can never (and we do mean never) be over-prepared for an interview. You need to make sure your equipment is ready. Check your internet connection, lighting, video, and sound. Make sure you have a full battery on your phone or laptop. Be punctual when logging into a Zoom meeting. Practice talking via Zoom or another online meeting platform to make yourself more comfortable with the technology. Be prepared to email your interviewers a copy of your resume, cover letter, references, and sample of your work. Don’t assume they will all have these things sitting in front of them. Often overlooked in remote interview tips, is to keep other application and browser windows closed so that if you have to share your screen, you’re not sharing anything you don’t want your potential employer to know about.
2. Be purposeful about what you show your interviewer.
You want to make a good impression. One remote interview tip to remember is that your video background and environment should reflect your professional qualities. Make sure it’s neutral and without distraction. Don’t use a picture of a tropical island or your dog fluffy (no matter how cute he is!). Whatever you do, don’t use a video background. That’s one of our best job video interview tips. Select a neutral, clean, and clutter-free space. Don’t have that at home? Consider a study room at your local library. Just make sure the lighting is good and that the area is free from distractions (this includes windows that may have bad lighting or distracting actions like cars driving by). Ensure your mobile’s notifications are silenced! Nothing is more annoying than the constant beeps signaling your latest Tik Tok post is blowing up.
3. Wear professional attire.
Sure, things are more casual now than they were pre-2020; but the fact of the matter is that your prospective employer has to see you as professional and trustworthy. These attributes are directly reflected in your attire. One of the most important remote interview tips is to always dress as you would for an in-person interview. While that doesn’t always mean wearing a full suit, it should mean that you’re dressed professionally and appropriately based on the job you are seeking. Our job interview tips wouldn’t be complete without saying that you shouldn’t assume you are only going to be seen from the chest up. It can be tempting to dress more casually from the waist down, but always assume that your entire outfit will be visible to your potential employer.
4. Engage the interviewer.
Interviewing via video can be tough, but this one is essential in our remote interview tips. It’s hard to come across as excited and interested when you’re sitting on your living room sofa, but it’s critical that you engage your interviewer and show real excitement for the position you’re interviewing for. To do this, don’t sit back with your arms crossed. Instead, sit forward on your chair with good posture. Smile, and demonstrate positive body language and behavior. Don’t cross your arms, and don’t be afraid to use your hand to gesture as you speak (just don’t overdo it!).
5. Make eye contact.
This one is tough but important in our remote interview tips: Look directly into the camera. When you’re not looking at the camera, you’re not making eye contact. That’s a big no-no in the interview world. Always remember to look directly into the camera when answering a question. This can take some practice, especially if you’re on a computer. So grab a close friend and set up a Zoom to get the feel of it. You can also try using a cell phone instead of a full computer. The phone’s small screen size will make it easier to come across as having good eye contact.
6. Don’t forget that you’re an asset.
Finally, our remote interview tips would be incomplete without reminding you that you are an asset and that your potential employer would be lucky to have you. While you don’t want to come across as arrogant, you do want to remember that the interview process goes both ways. You should be interviewing your potential employer as much as they are interviewing you. Don’t sell yourself short. Come up with a list of your assets that make you the perfect fit for the job, and work them into the conversation as naturally as you can. And don’t forget to prepare questions to ask your interviewer as well. Potential employers appreciate someone who is taking the time to fully consider the position.
By following these six easy tips, you can make your video interview a spectacular way to show off the positive qualities you will bring to the job!
For more tips and tricks from writing the perfect resume to nailing your interview, check out our blog.
Confused by all of the different marketing positions out there? You’re not alone! There are Marketing Managers, Marketing Specialists, Marketing Assistants, Marketing Analysts… the list goes on and on. So let’s take a closer look at one of the many marketing positions: The Marketing Coordinator.
What are the job duties of a Marketing Coordinator?
Typical tasks of a marketing coordinator include entry-level analytics and research related to sales, marketing, and development. The specifics of each position will vary depending on the specific needs of the employer, but the duties of a marketing coordinator typically include:
Conducting market research related to a business’s target market;
Analyzing sales data;
Creating marketing materials;
Assisting with website SEO;
Creating marketing timelines;
Organizing marketing projects;
Managing digital and social media campaigns;
Investigating market trends;
Representing a business at trade shows;
Working with Social Media Influencers to promote a product.
What are the different types of Marketing Coordinators?
Marketing Coordinator roles will vary depending on the type of work that may be needed by a company. Here are a few of the more common positions:
Digital Marketing Coordinator
In addition to the duties of a generic Marketing Coordinator, a Digital Marketing Coordinator’s job description may include managing digital campaigns designed to drive web traffic to a business, handling social media accounts, or managing the content of blogs and websites for a business. Depending on the size of the organization, these tasks may be handled by one Marketing Coordinator, or by multiple specialized Marketing Coordinators. Businesses that have a strong online presence, especially with web stores would be likely to hire this type of Marketing Coordinator. Those who have excellent computer, social media, and internet skills, as well as strong writers, make excellent Digital Marketing Coordinators.
Marketing and Promotions Coordinator
The duties of a Marketing Coordinator may also include being responsible for handling trade shows and events, building relationships with industry partners, and/or seeking out corporate sponsorships for an organization. Having an outgoing personality is a must for this role, as you will be dealing directly with the public and potential customers on a regular basis. Typically, larger companies or non-profit organizations are more likely to need this type of Marketing Coordinator.
Products and Accounts Marketing Coordinator
The responsibilities of a Products and Accounts Marketing Coordinator may also fall within the duties of a Marketing Coordinator. This means working with a salesforce on building and maintaining a strong client base. They may develop sales programs and informational packages for their sales teams, and they will work with other types of marketing coordinators to develop sales plans for specific products. Like Marketing and Promotions Coordinators, these roles require exceptional people skills, so more outgoing social types are frequently drawn to them. Businesses with large sales forces often benefit from having Products and Accounts Marketing Coordinators.
What are the salary range and career prospects for a Marketing Coordinator?
A Marketing Coordinator entry level salary often varies with a person’s background. While Marketing Coordinator is often an entry-level position, employers typically require at least an associate’s degree, and often a bachelor’s degree. Sometimes, employers will accept industry experience in lieu of a formal education. Marketing Coordinators most often report to Marketing Managers, and with the right experience, these positions frequently lead to promotions to Marketing Managers. Driven Marketing Coordinators who are willing to stick with the same company can aspire to reach director-level and even executive roles with the right education and experience. However, the skills learned in any one position easily transition to other companies as well, so career mobility is excellent.
Depending on the specific duties required, a Marketing Coordinator entry-level salaries typically start anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on education level and special skills. More experienced Marketing Coordinators earn around $85,000 per year. Those with outstanding skill sets can earn over $100,000 per year.
How do I become a Marketing Coordinator?
The best route to a successful career as a Marketing Coordinator is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Programs that offer concentrations in social media marketing, business analytics, or consumer behavior may have particular value to a Marketing Coordinator career. Some larger businesses may require a master’s degree in Marketing, while smaller organizations may be willing to accept an associate’s degree and work experience in lieu of a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
To really learn the various duties of a Marketing Coordinator, you should also try interning or working part-time in marketing, advertising, or graphic design while obtaining your degree. A temp position in marketing is a great option for students that will provide you with valuable experience and connections in the marketing world. Look for internships or temp jobs that will help you develop a wide skill set or train you in an area that you may be lacking such as graphic design, web development, or social media marketing. These positions can often be obtained through staffing agencies such as Whitman Associates, Inc, in the D.C. metropolitan area.
Maintaining a professional and active social profile will demonstrate your social media prowess as you start to hunt for jobs. Just make sure that your social accounts are positive and present a professional image of you. In the current job market, many employers will view your resume online, which provides you with an opportunity to link your social profiles to your resume.
Finally, make sure your resume is modern, clean, error-free, and highlights the in-demand skill sets you may have. Your resume should tell the story of you, and be interesting without using nondescript buzzwords. Tailoring your resume to fit a specific job is a quick way to stand out among applicants. Make sure you highlight areas where the job description and your expertise overlap.
The varied duties of a Marketing Coordinator result in interesting jobs and exciting career paths. By following these guidelines, you can get in on the ground floor and begin a marketing career that will provide for you and satisfy you for years to come!
Your resume should evolve as frequently as your career does, so you should constantly be improving and editing it while on the job hunt. To help, here are some of our top resume writing tips to keep in mind when you next update your resume.
Contact Information
Our top resume writing tip may seem like a no-brainer, but ALWAYS include your contact information on your resume. An email address and phone number at minimum are a must on your resume. Feel free to include the address to your LinkedIn profile if you use LinkedIn regularly. You don’t need to include your full address on your resume, but it can be helpful to list your city so that hiring managers know you are in the area. By omitting contact information when building your resume, you are inadvertently making yourself inaccessible to employers and recruiters that you want to hear back from.
In the same vein, your phone number should be on your resume, so be sure that your voicemail is set up and that you can receive messages. While you may not leave voicemails yourself, hiring managers will. When employers receive the “mailbox not set up” or “mailbox is full” this signals to them that you don’t really care if you find work or not. Also, be sure to check any message that’s left before returning the call, they may have given you information or instructions in the voicemail, by not listening to it you’re making them repeat themselves, and indicating that perhaps you don’t follow instructions.
Formatting Tips
Another tip is to send a Word document or PDF version of your resume if possible. Employers will most likely not be able to open a resume if it’s sent as a Google Doc, and Google Docs makes it super easy to download your resume in multiple different file formats. Also, don’t send a jpeg or photo of your resume, you should have an electronic copy that you can email.
Additional tips are to keep your font consistent. Don’t use more than two fonts maximum, and keep their usage consistent throughout, ie. one font for headings and another for the body. More fonts than that can be distracting and perhaps unprofessional. Additionally, it is best to write out your resume, and not to send out an Indeed or LinkedIn style prefilled resume. These inevitably have formatting issues when they are transmitting or emailed outside of those platforms. Also, this tells your potential employer that you did not spend much time on your resume.
Our last resume formatting tip is not to worry if your resume is longer than one page. The “one-page resume” rule is antiquated, if you’ve held a number of jobs, a two page resume is perfectly fine. If your resume exceeds three pages, you likely have information on there that is not relevant to the role that you are applying for, and can actually end up hiding the skills and experiences you are trying to highlight.
Employment History and Education
When building your resume, organize the responsibilities within your job descriptions in order of importance and significance. If managing your company’s social media pages was your biggest responsibility, list that first. If you only spent about 5% of your time answering phones, list that last. You want to make sure that the employer can quickly understand the functions of your previous roles and the work you did there.
Along with each job title, be sure to list your months of employment along with the years. Employers want to be able to easily comprehend your work history and spot any employment gaps on your resume. If you don’t list the months, they might think you are trying to hide something, or assume a gap in your resume where there wasn’t one.
Another tip is to remember to include the company name, and location of that company, along with your job title on your resume. You might have worked for a chain, such as CVS or Starbucks, or alternatively, you could have worked for a small company in your hometown. The location provides important contextual information about your job.
With that said, it’s also critical to list the location of where you received your degree(s). Whenever you list a degree on your resume, be sure to include the name and location of the institution where you received that degree.
Send out your resume!
Of course, the whole point of sharing these resume tips and tricks is to ensure you are building a quality resume that will help you secure a job. At Whitman Associates, we see hundreds of resumes a week, and want to share our tips with you. We work with many job seekers, some looking for temp opportunities to get their foot in the door, and others that are looking for their next permanent role. To get started on the search for your next role, send your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com.
Is Your Personal Account Really Separate from Your Professional Life?
It’s no secret that we live in the digital age. Well over half of the global population has a presence on social media, but many people believe that using social media professionally is totally separate from scrolling through your personal feed at home. For serious job seekers, though, social media for professional networking intersects with personal usage all the time.
Searchable Social Media Presence(s)
Even when you have your personal account set to private, certain pieces of data are still viewable. This includes your profile picture, how many posts you have, and how many accounts you follow. You—and potential employers—can tell a lot from a simple search.
In an article well before the pandemic, Forbes explained that “social media is a key player in the job search process today,” and “more than a third of all employers utilize these sites in their hiring process.” We can expect percentages to be much higher now, as employers and job seekers alike have grown more used to conducting business online and using social media professionally. The application of social media for professional networking is a common, even expected, facet of the workforce.
Employers commonly browse the social media of prospective employees, evaluating character and personality. This includes aspects such as whether the job seeker:
Maintains a standard of professionalism, including politeness and respect. For instance, a hiring manager may rule out a candidate if they see them make derogatory comments on Twitter. It’s best to always keep in mind that your social media is for professional networking, even when you think it’s a personal rant.
Seems like a good fit for the company culture. Companies often use social media as a tool for evaluating candidates’ behavior and preferences.
Has the qualifications appropriate for the position. Resume truth distortion is usually easy to spot through a quick social media search. Your presence on social media typically represents your actual employment and education history.
Demonstrates a genuine interest in and passion for their field. For example, a publishing company looking to hire a new marketing specialist will probably love seeing a candidate who has a clearly cultivated presence on Instagram where they review books.
Be The Best Version of Yourself
When considering your personal and professional social media, it’s most important to still be yourself online. When you try too hard to use social media professionally, perhaps liking every post from your dream employer, you may end up coming across as inauthentic. Posting personal updates and pictures shows off your personality, but it’s best to consider a broad audience. The “Grandma Rule” is a good principle. If you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see it, don’t post it. Even if you have separate accounts, you probably have friends and family members following your professional account, or colleagues and classmates following your personal account. It’s best to assume that your coworkers will see your posts to err on the side of safety and professionalism.
The Connectivity of Social Media
It’s called social media for a reason. It’s fun to browse on TikTok or scroll through an Instagram feed, but even these platforms aren’t just or primarily for entertainment: social media is for professional networking. While LinkedIn is traditionally associated with networking, there are so many other ways to connect with peers, past employment sources, prospective colleagues and employers, and more. Connections across various social media presences often bridge the gap between personal and professional. Now, more than ever, we discover networking opportunities through our personal social media.
Smart job seekers will maintain an active presence on social media, cultivating their participation to be both authentic and impressive. You can be the one to link others to prospective opportunities, like connecting a colleague with your own personal contacts, and see the same energy and benefit come back around to you. Through social media, you can make connections with people you would never otherwise know. There’s a potential opportunity for you to find your dream job through social media connections.
Use Social Media to Your Career Advantage
In conclusion, seeing your personal and professional social media presences as totally separate will not serve you well. Professional behavior matters everywhere. When you understand the intersection of personal and professional social media, you can use your presence on these platforms to your career advantage. Professional networking on social media is generally expected now, so don’t be afraid to try it.
If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, let Whitman Associates help you. We have contacts we would love to share with you. Simply email your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com to get started.
