Getting started: Starting over
A lot has changed since my last job search ten years ago. A resume needs to be optimized for artificial intelligence (AI), like search engine optimization (SEO) for a website back in the day. However, bullet points make it hard for a writer to demonstrate their ability to write a sentence. Same issue if a designer has to strip formatting from the resume to pass an automated applicant tracking system (ATS). Many companies don’t allow you to share examples of your work for them, so hiring managers would be seeing things I wrote or designed more than 10 years ago. Thankfully, I have time to research the technology and test various formats as I submit job applications and continue to receive rejections - despite 25 years in marketing and communications.
I was surprised when I got back on LinkedIn. The job market is rough and people are angry. Where is the community? Where is the human in “social networking” post-COVID? Most importantly, where is the human in bullet points?
“Starting over” isn’t a new concept to me. I can find inspiration and motivation in weird places. I build teams and camaraderie through community and a sense of humor, sometimes through shared suffering - and that’s not a bad thing. We get through it together.
There’s always a story. My last chapter gave me great bullet points, but I lost myself. The next chapter is a blank page right now but I know it won’t be bullet points. It’s going to be a damn good story, and I’ll be building a community to help me tell those tales.
Free Resources
*Links are unsponsored recommendations.
Stay informed on the current business environment.
Find networking events.
Sign up for notifications on local events on sites like Eventbrite
Think differently about networking:
Community organizations, church
Volunteering
Learn the basics of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLM), which are reviewing your resume before a human ever sees it.
Learn more about the software reviewing your resume.
Connect with local recruiting and placement firms.
One example of many firms, but for transparency my college best friend does work here: Aquent
A marketing and communications firm that I work with regularly: Creatives on Call
Get active on LinkedIn.
Update your profile
Add connections
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