Job search tips?

[jubal81]

I really want to move to Raleigh this year (by summer's end I hope) and it's time to start looking for a job. Thing is, I haven't had to do that in over a decade 

I updated my resume last year, so it won't take long to get it into shape. I'm just not sure where to start - what websites to use, should I post my resume or search for individual listings? etc.

[selfdestroyer]

I would at the least get a Linkedin presence. What field you in?

[jubal81]

I would at the least get a Linkedin presence. What field you in?

Journalism. I'm a newspaper editor - mostly working at page design and layout and manage the website for four hours every day.
I'm not necessarily looking for a journalism job. Open to whatever's out there.

I've heard of Linkedin, but that's about all I know. Is it really that valuable?

[GermanCdn]

The absolute best thing you can do is have someone (like a HR specialist) review and tune up the old resume.  I've read hundreds of resumes, and it seems most people don't get how to sell themselves.  The advice I usually give is this - imagine you're a company, and you only have budget to produce one commercial this year, and it's only going to air once during the Superbowl.  You want to make sure that by the end of that commercial, everyone knows who you are, what you do, and what you can do for them.  A resume is exactly the same.  I've deliberately not hired people who were likely overqualified for positions because they had lousy constructed resumes.

As far as finding a new job, if you have them, the best way is through friends.  I've found my last three jobs through friends I have in my industry, and it beats any website searches everyday of the week.  And typically once they know you're looking, they'll start feeding stuff to you.

[jubal81]

The absolute best thing you can do is have someone (like a HR specialist) review and tune up the old resume.  I've read hundreds of resumes, and it seems most people don't get how to sell themselves.  The advice I usually give is this - imagine you're a company, and you only have budget to produce one commercial this year, and it's only going to air once during the Superbowl.  You want to make sure that by the end of that commercial, everyone knows who you are, what you do, and what you can do for them.  A resume is exactly the same.  I've deliberately not hired people who were likely overqualified for positions because they had lousy constructed resumes.

As far as finding a new job, if you have them, the best way is through friends.  I've found my last three jobs through friends I have in my industry, and it beats any website searches everyday of the week.  And typically once they know you're looking, they'll start feeding stuff to you.

Thanks for the advice. Would you mind taking a look at my resume later this week when I get it freshened up?

Also, I've had some friends looking out for jobs for a while, but they're also in newspapers, which are still undergoing massive contraction. There aren't any jobs in Raleigh at the News & Observer because they make the paper in Charlotte. I haven't had to look for a job in so long because I've always had people I know find me. I'm just going to have to go it alone on this one.

[DutchMF]

I've heard of Linkedin, but that's about all I know. Is it really that valuable?

Yeah, it definitely is! I've been at it for about a year and a half now and I'm pretty confident that if I lose my job tomorrow, I'll be working somewhere else (in the same field) next week. You just have to be really careful who you link with, what you post, and not treat is as another Facebook. A proper professional attitude works wonders over there (as in all things job related).

Paul

[GermanCdn]

Thanks for the advice. Would you mind taking a look at my resume later this week when I get it freshened up?

Absolutely will.  I also write wicked letters of resignation.

[nzCdog]

All the best with your change! 

[alanp]

As far as finding a new job, if you have them, the best way is through friends.  I've found my last three jobs through friends I have in my industry, and it beats any website searches everyday of the week.  And typically once they know you're looking, they'll start feeding stuff to you.

This, this, this, and this for the top four items of advice.

It's not what you know, it's WHO you know, more often than not.

[LaceSensor]

Its who you know.
Therefore, LinkedIn is a great resource.
Absolutely it is good for careers. They advertise jobs on there now.
Keep yourself marketable!

Good luck

[culturejam]

LinkedIn is definitely a great tool once you get a decent network of connections. It's great for gathering intel on a company or position. I used it last week to figure out that my wife is connected to someone at a company I was considering applying to, so I got my wife to ask her connection for info. Turns out the company pays pretty crappy, so I didn't waste my time.


As for the resume and whatnot, a well-done resume is important of course. But I would say that your cover letter is as important as the resume, especially in a job that hinges on communication (journalism, for example).

I've only hired a couple people, but my process has been to quickly scan the resume to make sure they have the right background (skills, experience, education) and then I carefully examine the cover letter. If the letter impresses me, they are quite likely to get an interview.

[Bret608]

I remember that I first got onto Linkedin because a firm I was interested in applying with literally only listed their openings there. So it is valuable. I've even had recruiters try to connect with me through Linkedin--I've heard that can be valuable but haven't actually tried it yet.

One thing I will say--definitely brush up your resume, but the cover letter is just as important. It's the place where you tell potential employers why the things on your resume matter. In the three positions I've been in after graduate school, I could tell during the interview process for two of those that they had looked at the cover letter much more than the actual resume.

I wonder if Raleigh has an alternative weekly or a magazine about the city that may be worth looking into?

[culturejam]

Raleigh is a pretty cool town. I went to college there (NC State) and had my first job after school in nearby Research Triangle Park. It's a nice place to live, and there is a decent music/art scene. It's not Austin, but it's better than a lot of other place. 

[jubal81]

Raleigh is a pretty cool town. I went to college there (NC State) and had my first job after school in nearby Research Triangle Park. It's a nice place to live, and there is a decent music/art scene. It's not Austin, but it's better than a lot of other place. 

I lived there from '96-'01 and I really liked it. I went to UNC, but my GF at the time was in vet school so I commuted. In addition to just really liking the area, I'm seriously considering going back to school at State and there's a TechShop in town. I don't know if you guys have heard of TechShop, but you buy a monthly membership and you have access to all kinds of machines and equipment, like CNC, laser cutters, 3D printers, oscilloscopes, etc.

[Bret608]

There's something here in Madison like that; it's called Sector 67. I really like their business model.