With Thanksgiving coming up fast, I’d like to say thanks to everyone I work with — not just my colleagues here at Rose Talent Consulting , but the people who trust their career paths to me every day.
When I think of gratitude in my work, a lot of things come to mind: the gift of being trusted with people’s hiring goals, the sense of accomplishment I get when I connect the right people and teams, and the knowledge that a hire is a moment in time — but that moment can lead to great things for both the person and the company that hires them.
Gratitude is not just a greeting card category. It’s a core value that I believe serves everyone in every line of work. I wish you a joyful Thanksgiving filled with warmth, laughter, and gratitude.
In this month’s newsletter: applicant tracking systems, personal branding, and the best career-seeker reads I’ve come across in the last few weeks. Read on.
Applicant Tracking Systems Got You Down?
Look, applicant tracking systems exist for a reason. But for people seeking jobs, they can be a real bane. ATS technology tends to weed out anyone who doesn’t fit into a narrow parameter of credentials — the right degree, the exact perfect experience, and highly specific keywords.
For this reason, people are often advised to tailor their resumes and cover letters to specific jobs, and as a recruiter, I am not going to argue against this practice. I do think it’s important to customize a resume for any job you’re passionate about. On the other hand, if you don’t have the specific experience the job description requests, you should never lie. And on the third hand (ha), just because you don’t have the experience doesn’t mean you’re absolutely wrong for the job.
For every perfect candidate, there’s an outlier candidate who wouldn’t get through the ATS but definitely deserves consideration for a role. If you’re that candidate, working with a recruiter like those of us at Rose Talent Consulting just might be how you can get through the door for the right job you’re right for, despite the wrong resume.
Recommended Reading:
Underwear is important — on Delta’s extremely specific interview rules
How companies including Workday and Land O’Lakes approach flexible work perks for employees, on HR Brew
Psychology Just Discovered the Type of Zoom Background Your Brain Likes Best, on Inc.
How (and Why) to Build Your Personal Brand Better
If you’re thinking about taking the next step in your career, now is the time to start building your “personal brand.”
“Brylye, ugh, this is the part I hate — tooting my own horn.”
It’s not really about boasting or bragging, although self-branding can feel that way. Think of it more like defining who you are so potential hiring managers can get a crystal-clear picture of you — and why they should hire you. This means consistently documenting your accomplishments and taking note of concrete success metrics, as well as having a solid handle on the type of job you are looking for so that you can best position yourself.
As a recruiter, I can tell you that people who don’t do these things have a harder time taking true advantage of the options in the job market. It’s my role to help connect you to the right people looking to hire. It’s your job to know exactly how to talk about yourself.
Finding Gratitude in Your Work
How are you feeling about your job? Grateful? Resentful? Ambivalent?
As we head into the holiday season, if you aren’t feeling utterly thankful about your current job, consider hitting “reply” on this email so we can find you one you love — before the new year.
Brylye Collins
Rose Talent Consulting
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