Do More than Read Job Titles! Look for clues..

I was having a conversation recently with a job seeker who had concluded that there were just no jobs out there for her. It was a little surprising since she is actually in a field that has quite a few opportunities, despite the bad economy.

After a few minutes, I realized that she was so fixated on the last job title she held, she really wasn't looking for broader possibilities and reading job descriptions carefully enough. In fact, she was actually discarding possible job opportunities because the job title in the job description was not familiar to her.

I think that many job seekers might actually be in the same boat as my friend.

Many people get attached to their job titles and their current job descriptions, they may actually be overlooking the actual day-to-day assignments involved in a particular job - especially if the job description has evolved over time.

Online job boards today, do a pretty incredible job of making it easy for people to find job opportunities just by using keywords. Employers used to be able to search for resumes using keywords and now every job board gives similar capabilities to job seekers.

However, job seekers should keep in mind though that although keywords can help us really narrow the scope quickly, reading the job descriptions carefully is still a good idea. As we read the job description, think about the skills, behaviors and experiences that are transferable from one industry to the next and one job to the next.

Keep in mind that favorite anecdote that I share all the time (don't remember where I read it, but really think it is true) - Roughly 80% of the people who get hired only have about 60% of what the job description listed.

What does that mean for the job seeker?

It means that although the job description is a great guide for what you will ultimately do on the job, it is only a partial guide to what the employer might be willing to hire right now.

So, as you read job descriptions, try to read and think between the lines. Think about the "success behaviors" behind the job titles and the job descriptions. Plan to showcase these in your resume and demonstrate them in the interview. Do not sabotage your own job search strategy and limit your options by stopping at the job title in the job description.

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Time to Reconnect and Network

If you are actively executing a job search strategy or just thinking about making a career change or switching jobs, it might be time to rekindle and rejuvenate some of your contacts otherwise known as "networking".

Set aside some soon to reconnect with an old boss, a former colleague or fellow professional you may have met at a conference.

Many successful professionals use their planners, PDA's or online calendar software to actually schedule time to reconnect with others every few months. It is important to keep in mind that networking actually begins way before you are in the market for a new job or new career and so constant communication is important.

Another networking tip is to keep in mind is that a good professional relationship is really a two way street.

It's not just about what others can offer you, but what you can do to help them. As Dr. Ivan Misner says in his book, Masters of Networking - "Givers Gain"

What Does your Online Persona Say About you?

CareerBuilder.com survey shows that employers are increasingly researching jobseekers online through social networking sites before making hiring decisions.

"Hiring managers are using the Internet to get a more well-rounded view of job candidates in terms of their skills, accomplishments and overall fit within the company," said Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder.com. Here are some tips from the latest CareerBuilder survey to help job seekers create a positive online persona during the job search.

1) Clean up digital dirt. Make sure to remove pictures, content and links that can send the wrong message to a potential employer before you start your job search.

2) Update your profile regularly. Make sure to include specific accomplishments, inside and outside of work.

3) Monitor comments. Since you can’t control what other people say on your site, you may want to use the "block comments" feature.

4) Join groups selectively. While joining a group with a fun or silly name may seem harmless, "Party Monsters R Us" may not give the best impression to a hiring manager. Also be selective about who you accept as "friends."

5) Go private. Consider setting your profile to "private," so only designated friends can view it.