When it comes to looking for a job, most people take the
Lone Ranger approach. They rely on themselves to figure
out what they want to do, write their resume, prepare for
interviews, and create a job search strategy. And while in
the Information Age, it is possible to do all these things
on your own; the real question is "is it smart?"
There are many career specialists available to assist you
with the various aspect of the job-hunting process. Below,
we highlight career coaches, resume writers, and
headhunters.
Career Coach
What do they do? A career coach can be your partner in the
job search process. They can help you decide what it is
you want to do, work with you to create an action plan, and
assist you with practice interviews. Career Coaches are
great accountability partners if you are struggling to set
and maintain goals. In addition, a career coach can stay
with you find a job to create a plan for success in your
new role.
Should you hire one? If you’re asking yourself "What's
next in my career?" and you don’t have an answer, a career
coach may be a good resource for you. If you are able to
create an action plan but have trouble following through,
a career coach can create accountability and examine
potential reasons why you aren't achieving your goals.
What to look for? There are lots of people calling
themselves coaches. When looking for a coach, find someone
associated with a professional organization or training
institute for coaching (Coach U is one of the more popular
ones). Also, only work with a coach who will give you at
least 1 complimentary session; this will give you an
opportunity to see if your personalities "click."
Professional Resume Writer
What do they do? A professional resume writer will take
information you provide about yourself and your previous
work experience to create a top-notch resume. They have
excellent writing skills and are familiar with what key
words recruiters look for when reviewing a resume.
Should you hire one? Simply put, if you’re sending out a
large number of resumes but not getting any interviews it
is time to hire a professional resume writer.
What to look for? Find someone who will spend time
interviewing you and helping you decide what to include on
your resume. If they simply ask you to fill out a form
without a live conversation, find someone else. Also ask
about fees up front and be sure you understand what is
included.
Headhunter
What do they do? Headhunters (sometimes called Recruiters)
match employment opportunities to available candidates.
Headhunters generally have a good knowledge of the
companies they represent and can pre-screen potential
candidates, saving both the employer and the job hunter
time.
Should you hire one? Using a headhunter is a good idea if
you have a very specific skill set that companies may not
advertise. Headhunters are also very useful if you are
conducting a passive job search and just want to stay aware
of openings in your field.
What to look for? The key thing to remember about
headhunters is they work for the person who pays them
(sounds obvious doesn't it?). If a headhunter is being
paid by the hiring company (and they often are) keep that
in mind as you listen to their advice. If you are paying a
headhunter, know what you're paying for. Do they charge a
flat fee or a percentage of your first year's salary? If
you find a job without their help, do you still have to pay
the fee?
About the Author
Myrtis Smith is the founder of Premeditated Life. At
Premeditated Life we have one focus - Your Career. As a
career coach I offer a variety of services designed to
improve your professional skills, support you in your
career goals and transitions, and empower your job search.
For a FREE Career Assessment contact us at
coaching@premeditatedlife.com