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By: Seth Buks, Chief Relations Officer, ALPFA Boston
Editor’s Note: ALPFA Boston is the local chapter of the largest Latino professional network in the country. Its mission is to empower and develop Latino men and women as leaders of character for the nation, in every sector of the global economy. For more information visit: www.ALPFABoston.org
Despite the economic growth the US has enjoyed over the past few years since the crisis, the job market still remains a challenging place to navigate. Here are some tips that can give you more confidence throughout the process of hunting for a job, and make you stand out from the crowd to help take your career to the next level.
- Expand and use your personal and professional networks
Many times getting a warm introduction can be the difference that sets you apart. Identify and join professional organizations in your industry to network with potential employers. Also make sure your LinkedIn profile stands out, and delete anything negative on Facebook.
- Arrange informational interviews
Meet with anyone you know at a target company to learn more about the firm and industry you are looking to grow in. If you don’t know anyone, ask someone in your network for an introduction. This will help you build your reputation by creating favorable impressions and gaining important internal support within the company.
- Develop a dynamic resume
Your resume should differentiate you from your peers and show the value you can bring to an employer. Use the resume to emphasize your professional accomplishments and always tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for. If you volunteer for a cause your passionate about, make sure you highlight that strength in your resume.
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- Be Aggressive
Employers receive dozens and sometimes hundreds of resumes for highly sought after positions so you need to be aggressive about your search. Follow up your applications with a cover letter, and plan to reach out and contact prospective employers and recruiters personally. Keep a list of jobs you’ve applied for and where you’ve sent your resume so you can follow up effectively.
- Prepare for the Interview
Once you are invited to interview, preparation is key to a successful meeting. First and foremost, relax and be yourself. This is your chance to show why you are the right person for the job and you are most confident when you are comfortable. Research the company and the business they are in and be prepared to show your knowledge.
Make sure you can match your skills and accomplishments to what you know about the job. Show your passion and talk about not only the skills you have, but also what you’d like to develop in the role. Prepare for the behavioral questions where they will ask you to describe a situation and how you handled it in a previous job. Create questions for the interviewer that communicate your interest.
- Always Follow Up
Make sure you follow up with a brief thank you note; a hand written one adds an especially nice touch.
Seth Buks is an RVP and Investment Consultant in Private Wealth Management for a leading investment advisory firm where he is responsible for the Northeast region. Buks also serves on the executive committee for the Boston Chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), and acts as the chapters Chief Relations Officer.
He earned a B.S. in International Business from Northeastern University and currently holds a CIMA designation.
