Unemployed? A Macomb Man Learns 10 Tips to Get Ahead in the Job Hunt

With the national unemployment rate holding steady at 9 percent, finding a job is becoming tougher for many Americans. Instead of a few people competing for one specific position, that number has climbed into the hundreds. Now more than ever, it is important to separate oneself from the pack and make a lasting impression on potential future employers.

But how?

Joe Ulinski, a Macomb Township resident in search of work, recently sat down with a consultant from Judge Group, a national professional services firm.

Ulinski, who is a licensed master electrician and electrical inspector with 35 years of background knowledge in his industry, has been out of work since 2010. Bringing his resume along with him, Ulinski met with Scott Sabellico, a Judge Group representative, to learn the firm's top 10 tips on how to stand out from the competition when looking for a job and how to outshine others during the interview process.

“It’s really about building a trust relationship because people that trust us and interview us will hire us based on that trust,” Sabellico said. “Everything is really based on the very simple principle of building trust; it makes a big difference.”

Patch accompanied Ulinski on his visit and from this professional consultation, drew this top 10 list that any job hunter, whether they are looking to enter, re-enter or change careers in the present-day job market, can use to set themselves apart from the competition.

1. Shape your resume. List positive features through your resume talking about what you have done, not just duties and responsibilities. A good brief description and three key areas should indicate how you’ve added value to previous organizations. Make sure to have at least two solid references from prior employers that you will be able to use.
2. Build an online presence. You will meet more people online than you will in-person. The people you meet online will quicken the effect of building a trust relationship. By sending an e-mail to a recruiter stating why you’re writing, who you are and a little bit of information about yourself, you are creating a warm situation where the employer is more likely to respond.
3. Use social media tools to your advantage. Create a Linkedin profile and make sure that it is 100 percent built up. Copy your exact resume onto the site, upload a headshot, and add your awards and recognitions as well as outside groups and associations. Recruiters search on keywords, so be sure to plug these keywords into your profile and increase your chances of becoming visible. For example, words that describe your specific skills or famliarity with various software. Furthermore, make sure that those within your network on Linkedin, especially potential employers, add recommendations for you. Hiring managers and those looking to refer can grasp a good sense of who you are within five minutes by looking at your profile.
4. Network, network, network. Whether it’s through online groups, associations, Linkedin, Google or other user groups, networking is critical. Let others know you are looking for a work and what type of experience you have. Be creative and look; connect with people who are hiring or have the resources to hire. Bring a business card, even if you are unemployed, that lists your name, phone number, e-mail address, Linkedin web address, and Facebook address to give out wherever you might be.
5. Follow-up. No matter how many resumes you submit, if you sit back and wait, you might not get phone calls. Instead do a strict follow-up either through e-mail, a phone call, social media or even an old-fashioned thank you card to increase your chances of being noticed.
6. Web Search. Utilize Career Builder, Monster, Indeed and other job search engines.
7. Research. Be serious. Before you attend an interview, know who you are meeting with. Google their name and look for reviews, blogs, anything that they have done in the past so that you can get to know them better. Know who the person is and refer to what you know. Evaluate the criteria before even applying; research the company to see if you really would like working there or not.
8. Dress for Success. At an interview, absolutely dress professionally because first impressions are everything. Make sure you are on time and arrive early. Leave your drama at home; do not talk about your personal problems. Be honest because no one knows you better than yourself. Smile and make eye contact and the recruiter will most likely warm up to you.
9. Prepare. Write questions down before the interview and use your right to ask them. Ask about the job, the company, performance criteria, etc. Do not ask about a compensation package in the first interview. Be a good listener and quick on your feet. Ask about the hiring process and timeline of selection. The more prepared you are, the better off you will be.
10. Continue the Process. Be genuine and passionate about what you do. Employers want to be inspired by someone they are going to hire.

After an hour-long meeting, Ulinski walked away with these performance tips, potential contacts, and most importantly, confidence.

“The session was highly informative on how to use the Internet; it gave me some hope, enough to lift my spirits up,” Ulinski said. “I think I was only doing about 60-70 percent of these things right before so overall I felt really good about it and the time I spent (at the meeting) was well worth it.”

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