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While this may feel like the Great Depression of our grandparents’ era, today’s job search requires a thoroughly modern approach. Searching for a job requires a much more tailored approach that is customized to your desired employer and shows your talents and skills in action. To get noticed in this market, you have to be willing to go big to get noticed.

In “Get Hired – 5 Ways to Rise Above the Crowd, SlideRocket offered several creative ways to stand out, including Facebook Ads, QR codes, and Presentation resumes. All of the ideas present creative ways to begin a conversation with a potential employer. Of course, you will still need your traditional resume  - for HR and internal sharing for the interview – so have it ready when you are tapped for follow-up. These ideas are all about creating an opportunity for a second look by standing above the crowd.

Just because you can’t ditch the resume entirely does not mean you’re stuck with a boring one dimensional document.  Gain ideas from Save Delete’s 100 Most Creative Resumes of All Time. These out of the box styles are sure to inspire ideas of your own.

The bottom line is that you should not be afraid to incorporate real world tools in your job search. Take an active role of creating an opportunity rather than waiting for fortune or database algorithms to smile upon you. You should be able to clearly tell your story to a potential employer without limiting yourself to the traditional resume.

If you’re not using creativity in your search, what’s holding you back? If 2.0 tactics landed you a job, tell others about it in the comments box.

Related articles

• 51+ Essential Resources for the Digitally Savvy Job Hunter (mashable.com)
• 30 Ideas: The Ideas of Successful Job Search

In the worst of the economic downturn with unemployment swelling to record levels in many states, many people managed to find work. Yes, the job market is tough but it it not impossible to earn a living. The economy forced a hard shift but the changes in the job market have been a long time in coming. Now, what needs to change, and quickly, is our attitude about work.

The very nature of work has changed. In  the past you united with a company, received regular raises and promotions and were rewarded for loyalty. Those days are long gone. This is the age of creating and managing your own career. Just as we no longer depend on a pension to fund our retirement, your employer is not responsible for managing your career. You can create an income by outsourcing your expertise to several employers or create an opportunity in a company that is a suitable match. There are choices available to anyone willing to make them. And therein lies the rub.

Many job seekers are not quite prepared for the hustle and innovation of today’s market. They are looking for a job rather than working to create an opportunity. They remained in jobs far longer than they should have, failed to keep their skills or networks updated and have no idea how to get employed in this environment. It may sound harsh, but it’s time for a dose of tough love.

The good news is you have the choice to own your now and change your future. Getting hired in 2011 requires the willingness to hustle for what you want. Your job search should not be a passive activity. You need to make things happen not depend on the forces to align to serve up your next career move. Step away from the computer and do some old fashioned networking. Gain new skills by volunteering, shadowing a mentor or taking a class. Be creative in your approach. Can your skills be applied in a different industry? How about a different geography? Can you offer your expertise to several companies to create a full time income?

Change can be scary but getting left behind while the world moves forward is far scarier. The market has already changed, now it’s up to you to make the shift. Are you ready?

Related articles

• Employment Update: Who Is Hiring and Who Is Not! (biojobblog.com)
• Businesses Hiring in 2011 Face a Buyers’ Market (abcnews.go.com)

Six months ago I received a call from Donna*, a former resume client. Two years ago, I had provided resume services to her company when they went through an acquisition and major reorganization. Donna had found work but was laid off again. Fearful of a tight job market and shrinking finances she had taken a job with a slight pay cut and was back in school working on her master’s degree. She called me wanting to update her resume, just in case. I walked her through the process which included discussing her next steps and aligning her resume to fit her goals. She was busy and kept putting it off until she gave up on it entirely. Last Friday, Donna was laid off with one final paycheck.

It was also six months ago that I spoke with Tom*. Tom’s company had been hard hit by the economy and he was not sure they would survive. The past year had been tough, with many layoffs, salary freezes and elimination of benefits such as company provided cell phones. Tom was in a senior position with specialized expertise. He was working longer hours but managed to survive round after round of layoffs. I advised him to immediately make time to plan his next move. We talked about job targeting, networking and developing a resume. He was busy with barely one day off per week and he put it off. Last Friday, he received notice that his job would be terminated in the next 2-3 months. His company “does not believe in severance” but offered a couple of days off for job search activity.

I encounter Donnas and Toms weekly; people who realize they need professional help, take the first step and then become complacent. Some even pay for services but will take months to complete the information needed to help them. These are all smart professionals who get so busy with their jobs that they do not make time to manage their career.

Donna and Tom’s lack of action is surprisingly common. I have found that less than 1% of people who seek me out, take immediate action and follow through. Of this 1% some have been laid off, and others have received notice or see the handwriting on the wall and take action. They focus on solving their problem and make time to get it done. This 1% gets employed faster in jobs of their choice. The same clarity and motivation that propels them to take action emerges in their job search.

You have a choice today. If you sense change in your company do not ignore the signs. Develop a plan and activate it. Meet with a financial advisor. Write down the list of things that you would want to negotiate in the event of a layoff. Research other companies and search your network for inside contacts. Inaction does not delay the inevitable. You may get laid off but it’s better to be prepared than forced to react after the crisis.

In tomorrow’s post we will examine how you can proactively manage your career.

*Name was changed to protect the privacy of the client

If you’re in the middle of a job search you’ve likely heard the news that the market is tough.  The national unemployment rate in the U.S. may be hovering near 10% and CEOs may be cautious about hiring but during your job search the focus should be on you. You are not trying to change the national employment rate nor are you trying to find 162,000 jobs, you only need one. You can continue to read the bad news and convince yourself that you haven’t got a chance.

One job, that’s all you need. You only need one company to see that you are a fit and make you an offer. In the whole wide world, just one. You can do that right? Stay focused on one and you’ll be okay.

One action at a time will help you find that one job. Make that one phone call to someone who can you help you. Hang up and make one more call. Write one line of your resume until it’s done. Reach out to one person in your network. Target one company and locate one contact there. One step at a time to one job. Keep doing one until you find the one.

Save yourself today and once you’re employed you can reach out and help someone else find their one.

Speaking of LinkedIn, I highly recommend it as a job search, and career networking tool. Whether you are a solo professional, CEO or just beginning your career, you will gain value from this professional social network. However, just joining LinkedIn is not enough. To maximize your presence on LinkedIn, I recommend, I’m on LinkedIn, Now What?

If you are considering a career in medical sales, How to Get Into Medical Sales is a great  resource.

Additional job search resources are listed below, and please if you need a resource and are not sure where to turn, let us know!

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Later in the day, I went to the cupboard to enjoy a treat. I opened the box and pulled out the container within. Within the package were broken pieces of thin graham crackers that did not even partially resemble the picture on the box. I tasted one of the treats and my disappointment grew when my mouth confirmed my mind’s fears – they were plain old graham crackers.

So much for truth in advertising. The packaging established expectations that the product failed to meet. Job seekers often make the same mistake with their resume. Many believe the resume is an opportunity to embellish with creative wordsmithing to gain the attention of hiring managers. The packaging may win you an interview but your product must live up to the label!

Your resume should be an accurate representation of your brand and benefit to potential employers. You want to deliver on the promises that are made in your advertising. If you have a passing familiarity with a computer program do not imply that it is a core expertise.

Lying on your resume is never acceptable. It is a waste of your time and disrespectful to potential employers. While your resume does allow you to sell your strengths and minimize your weaknesses, you still need to remain truthful. Hiring managers are the consumer in the job buying process. They are counting on you to present what your product will deliver.

My experience with the graham crackers led me to mistrust the company. The graham crackers on their own were good but not the good I expected. The inaccurate presentation gained them a first look with me but they failed to convert me into a customer.

You want the interview but more importantly, you want to win the job and establish a foundation for your new employer relationship. “John’s resume was great, but during the interview he was unable to defend a single thing written on the page. It was a waste of my time and made me angry,” commented Ann, a hiring manager for a large firm.

Joe came to me for assistance with his resume and I spotted some inconsistencies in his paperwork. “Everybody lies on their resume, right?” asked Joe with a laugh.  My answer of course was “No.” Lies will only lead to a trail of regret in your job search. If you have concerns about your job history or skills, work with a professional. A professional can offer guidance on how to maximize your offering TRUTHFULLY.

Be creative in your layout and presentation but do not confuse creativity with misrepresenting the truth.

She introduced herself and I could hear the desperation in her voice, as she blurted out that she needed a “general resume.” I don’t do general resumes so probed gently to understand her needs. Her answer mirrored what many laid off workers are feeling – she had been out of work, was running out of money and just wanted a job, any job.

When you have been in the market for a period of time, it is easy to become discouraged and lose focus. Doing so, however, will further sabotage your efforts at finding a job. Successful job seekers are focused in their search. Their search strategy and resume align with a very focused goal.

An unfocused search is a bit like digging around in a bargain bin hoping to find a deal.

Your job search is a marketing effort and you need to have a clear target(s) in order to execute an effective strategy. Here are a few tips to help you stay the course and execute on a clear vision.

1. Write down your goals. List the types of companies you would want to work for – size, culture, industry. Do you want to work independently or as part of a team? A list will help you seek out companies that match your goals.
2. Do your research. Research companies, industry, hiring trends. Information will help you to more effectively target and conduct your search.
3. Do you want to transition to a different industry? In a soft economy, transitioning is a little more difficult.  List your transferable skills. Do you have contacts in your desired industry? Are there specialized skills that you can leverage to make the transition? Have a Plan B that is not your ideal but positions you for your desired move.
4. Stabilize your finances. Meet with a financial planner to develop a budget. Seek out temporary assignments if needed. Money worries can cloud your judgment and your attitude. Take care of this first so that you can conduct your search without the extra added pressure.
5. Target your resume to a specific position. If you are conducting a dual search, a professional can help you with a resume or do two versions, one for each career goal.
6. Be specific with your network. Your network can be a valuable source of information but are much more effective when giving specifics. Rather than asking if they know of anyone who is hiring, ask if they have any contacts at ABC Company. Specific information triggers much better recall in most people.
7. Surround yourself with a support network. You need people that will keep you on track and encourage you. Join a job club, networking group, or mastermind group.
8. Get out of the house. The worse thing you can do is sit in front of your computer all day uploading resumes to job boards. Look for professional events where you can network with people from  your targeted list of companies. Set up information interviews with people who can introduce you to hiring managers in your niche. You can still use your computer but use it to make smart connections not blindly send resumes to job boards.
9. Volunteer. Donate your time and talents to organizations that  you support. You can even use volunteering to acquire new skills or make contacts in a new industry. Taking the focus from yourself and helping others is a sure fire way to beat the blues.
10. Ask for help if you’re not getting results. I often get calls from job seekers who are not getting interviews. They always assume it is their resume. However, it may be the strategy used to search for jobs. If you’re getting interviews but no offers, your positioning may be hurting you or it could be your interviewing style. A professional can help you to find and correct the problem. If you do not have money to hire a professional, seek out free resources from community centers, local colleges or unemployment centers.

With the right strategy and tools you can get a job!

The annual report addresses changes in the job market and forward looking expectations for the coming year.  Career industry professionals have been beating the networking drum for years and the report validates its role in the executive search process. The report found that 73%  of executives find career options through networking.

I love this quote from Dave Opton, Execunet CEO & Founder which sums up my own views on networking:

“Time and again, the executive who ensures the fitness of his or her network will always be able to produce results. Let your network wither and no matter how much effort you flood it with, it will not revive quickly enough for you to respond to changing workplace conditions.”

Other findings from the report:

• The pay gap between men and women at mid-level executive ranks is narrowing but the discrepancy widens to 14 percent when they reach the president/CEO/COO/partner/chair level.
• 10.1 months is the amount of times executives in active job search expect to spend searching for their next position.
• Executives remain in their current job an average of 2.7 years. This number may also illuminate many of today’s corporate woes.

A large part of any marketing campaign, including career marketing, is market intelligence.  This report presents insights and trends that can help you prepare an effective strategy to attain your next position. Visit ExecuNet to read more highlights and get a copy of the report.

Industry experts, colleagues, friends and analysts all agree that the key to a successful job search is networking. In days past almost every applicant had the opportunity shake hands with the boss and sell themselves in person. Today, you must make your way around technology just to get to a phone interview!

It is more important than ever to work to discover a way to have contact with a real human being.  We sometimes joke about deals made on the golf course, or sales closed over dinner but believe it or not, even in today’s techno environment, this still holds true.  A large percentage of jobs are never publicized.  They are filled through an internal network.  Sometimes jobs are even created based on the strength of a personal contact.  So, what can you do to take advantage of this job search tactic?

• Keep your resume updated.  Even if you are not in the active job market, be prepared for the opportunity that may come your way through casual contact.  You never know whom you might meet in the checkout line, at your child’s soccer game or on an airline flight.
• If you are actively seeking a job, tell people!  Spend some time each week, reviewing your contacts.  Call or email them letting them know you’re in the job market.  Briefly state your skills and your desired position and ASK if they know of anyone who might be looking for someone with your background.
• When you receive a lead from a contact, follow-up and let them know the result.  Be sure to thank them for their help.
• Is there a company for which you’d love to work?  Contact them! You do not have to wait for a posting or open position.  If you do not have a personal contact at the company, do your homework.  Find out the name of the hiring manager(s) for your position of interest.  There are a number of approaches that you can use:  job shadowing, mentoring, take them to lunch or coffee to gain their expertise on the job market.  Can’t get to the hiring manager?  Try another avenue such as sales representatives.
• Use technology to develop personal contacts. LinkedIn, Facebook and even Twitter can help you to network through your six degrees of separation to get to a hiring manager.
• Attend organizational meetings.  Meetings are a great way to make solid contacts if done properly.  Don’t simply go to the meeting armed with business cards.  Obtain a list of attendees in advance.  Identify the people that you would like to meet – don’t forget those that might supply to your industry.  Once you’ve identified your key contacts for the evening, do some upfront research to find out more about them and the company they represent.  Armed with your “target” list and background info, you are now prepared to effectively network.
• Follow-up immediately.  Once you have made a contact, do follow-up at once.  Drop a note in the mail, call and schedule a time to meet for coffee (or tea), or follow-up by email.  Include your resume in written correspondence.
• Maintain contacts.  Share information, make referrals, and maintain your network even if you are not in the job market.

The extra effort is well worth it especially when it leads to you finding the job of your dreams!