Your Job Search Sucks

Let me explain the typical job search.

UN-freakin’-believable.

This is the single worst method of looking for work that I can think of. It is far too random, competitive and limited. It takes more luck than skill and the job seeker usually winds up frustrated and settles for the first offer that comes along. This may have been the way to find work in the 80’s but this is no longer your mama’s job market. Employers operate under a whole new set of rules and they are not looking for a “plain vanilla” applicant. They are looking for a fresh new flavor.

Candidates answer generic help wanted ads placed on a multitude of job boards, joining a crowd of other potential job seekers looking at the same ad, becoming just another brick in the wall. Then they wonder why they are still looking for work.

Today’s job search is a much more targeted approach.

An applicant must investigate the company there are looking to work for, along with their hiring process. Becoming friendly with someone within the organization can help with having a “go to” person to contact with any questions and follow-up. I personally like to use the CEO as this go to. I will conduct my due diligence and send my resume directly to the CEO or other higher-up executive. They normally find my resume and send it to HR. Psychologically the HR person that receives it will give it a bit more attention and possible preference simply because it came from the CEO.

You DO NOT want to be doing another job search in six months, so use your head when searching for a job. Consider this an opportunity to find a job that will be around AND wants YOU around long term. The prep work you do when selecting your target employers will help you avoid the ones that will disappear and disappoint.

Cleaning Up Your Social Media Profiles In Preparation For Your Job Search

Late night drunken rants, promiscuous photos, extreme political and religious beliefs, your questionable social behavior - ALL of it is readily available to any prospective employer using a simple search.

If you think this is just urban legend...WAKE UP! What better way to see what type of dirt bag you are or are not. Employers will judge you based on your social media presence, so stop being a dick or at least take some steps to improve your social media legacy and ensure those vacation pictures from your recent trip to Colorado don't come back to haunt you.

Social media can be your best friend during a job search and it can also be your kiss of death. It has been reported that 1 out of 3 people seeking employment have been rejected from receiving an interview based on their social media profiles. 

FACT: 46% of employers admit to checking out candidates on social media and 92% of job seekers have a social media presence. 

Employers use social media searches on candidates to their employment opportunities to determine a fit within their organization based on professionalism, cultural beliefs and to learn more of a persons qualifications. The first thing you want to do to protect your privacy is to protect your privacy. Having your accounts open to the public might make you the coolest kid on the cyberblock but your life becomes an open book to anyone that wants a peek. Set your privacy settings accordingly. You might also want to go through your account and clean up some of the more questionable status updates and photo's of your recreational activities. 

You want to Google yourself. What will someone find if they were to run your name through a search? It is amazing what is out there and available. Everything from social media activity to law enforcement records. 

You social media profile should place you in the spotlight of professionalism, with positive posts that

make the reader want to know more about you, beyond the information contained within a resume. 

What image of yourself do you want to impress an employer with?

Make your online presence work for you by refining publicly viewed areas of your profile and keep anything questionable private. 

Every social network takes some upkeep, and you’re allowed to have favorites as long as you check in once in a while to make sure everything is running smoothly. Have you ever had a Xanga, Live Journal, Myspace or similar account once upon a time? It’s time to look them up and properly deactivate. If the platforms are still up and running, then old pages and accounts may be available for viewing.  If there are social networks you haven’t updated in weeks or months, consider deleting them and focusing you efforts on the ones that work.

Now if you find this all to be mind numbing and time consuming, which it WILL be - after all YOU were the dick on Facebook, not me - there are a number of tools available that will automate this entire process. 

For $100 a year, you can pay for a widget to screen your social media accounts for embarrassing posts that could damage your chances of getting a job or getting into college. Startup company BrandYourself provides online reputation management software that allows you to “minimize negative search results and build a positive web presence.”

One feature in particular scans past social media posts to flag content involving drug use, alcohol, sex or negative rhetoric about a former employer. (The scans don’t include photographs, which can often be more incriminating and easier to access.)

Most social media cleaning understandably applies to Facebook. It’s the most used, abused and most well-known social media network out there, and as a result, it gets the most attention from employers. 

However, you should also take a moment to ensure that your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and accurate in relation to your resume. If you are presenting different information between the two resources, that will raise a red flag for employers. Synchronize the information, but also work to make LinkedIn a place for employers to learn more about your work history, not just a profile parroting what your resume has already presented. 

Your prospective employers will appreciate the extra insight, and will have a positive opinion of your social media personality as a result.

Your Job Search Toolbox

“A strong resume is like a lion: it shreds competition, gives off a mighty roar, and never has a bad hair day.”
“Reign as king of the job-market jungle with your Professional Job Search Package.”

I am a Recruiter, not just a Freelance Writer

I’m not writing your resume because I have mad grammar skills and have over eleven years’ experience as a Freelancer (although it is a great bonus), I’m doing it because I know exactly what employers are looking for and I want to share this with you. I am a recruiter myself so we know all the tricks of the trade and have answers to all of your questions. I will talk to you about your career goals and how to get you there.

Talk to real, people

Unlike other resume writing companies where you answer an endless amount of questions, I am always just a phone call away. You get to talk 1-on-1 with me, your resume writer. I work hard to make sure to create a resume that gets you results.

Pioneer in Resume Distribution

My service to you doesn't end at just writing your resume; I will also distribute them for you in your desired field and location! Some people don't know where to start applying or apply to jobs that aren't in their area of expertise. I figure out what your end goal is and distribute your resume accordingly. I will jumpstart your job search with tools we've built to get your resume in the hands of the right people.

How It Works

Talk 1-on-1 with your expert advertising resume writer 

Submit your current resume or career information via email to davidacapra@gmail.com.  As your writer, I will call you at a time that’s convenient for you to personally introduce myself and answer any questions you might have We will discuss your career goals and past accomplishments until I know exactly what you need in your new resume. At this time you will also receive an invoice via PayPal for $99. Prompt payment is appreciated to avoid delays in your job search. Split payments can be arranged if necessary.

Receive and review your new resume

Within 48 hours of payment received, you will receive your fresh, new look resume. Take some time to review it and make sure that every detail is exactly how you want it. If there’s anything you’d like to change, let me know and it will be edited until it’s perfect! I want you to be 100%, completely satisfied.

Finalize any changes with your resume writer

Once your resume has been written and edited to your satisfaction, I will finalize by storing your documents, making them available to you for up to two years in our secure online storage facility in both Microsoft Word and PDF formats.

Your LinkedIn profile

Recruiters say improving your LinkedIn Profile attracts more positive attention from employers. But most people don't really know the best way to do this. Like designing a resume that gets attention, creating an eye-catching LinkedIn profile is an art form. Since recruiters frequently look for new talent on social media, it is vital to put your best foot forward. 

Distribution

My distribution service will find you employment opportunities in your desired occupation and location parameters. Both your resume and LinkedIn profile will be sent to advertised and unadvertised jobs available. This is the heart of your Job Search Toolbox and boasts a guarantee of finding a job within 30 days or your money back!

Why Choose Job Search Toolbox?

I make great resumes

Bells and whistles, wear off but greatness never does. I create resumes that get results.

I am CRAZY about Great Service

I work hard to make sure that I live up to that reputation everyday

1 Service - THAT WORKS! – GUARANTEED!!!

Other companies try to bombard you with a menu of options that you really don’t need I have developed one single product that gets to the point of what you need and what really works.

I know Hiring

I don’t just talk to you about the nouns, verbs and adjectives of your resume. I talk to you about your career goals and how to get you there

A Job Search Plan

I do more than just write your resume, I jumpstart your job search with tools that I have developed to get your resume in the hands of hiring managers

My Guarantee's  to You

30 Day Employment Guarantee*

That's right! I guarantee that you will receive job offers within the first 30 days of distributing your new resume and LinkedIn profile! That's why I have such a high success rate, because I truly believe your Job Search Toolbox will help you.

What makes us different? and how can we offer such a guarantee? That's easy! Because my system was developed by someone, that understands hiring and what HR professionals are looking for

So what happens if you still don't get a job with your new resume? You get to work me, one-on-one to help figure out why you aren't getting job offers. Together we will look at the jobs you are applying for and then adjust our job search plan for you to help you start getting job offers. We understand job searching is probably one of the most vulnerable times in your life - that's why we work with you to help you get the expertise you need. If you prefer a refund, we can certainly do that as well.

48 Hour Turnaround

Unlike other resume writing companies, you will receive your first draft of your resume, within 48 hours after you've either submitted your questionnaire or had your telephone interview with your resume writer and submitted payment. We strive to offer the quickest turnaround time in the industry. Once you've received your first draft, take some time to review it and make sure that every detail is exactly how you want it. If there’s anything you’d like to change, let me know and it will be edited!

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

I strive to provide my clients with the best service. If for any reason you are unhappy with the service I provide. I will refund your money. No questions asked.

Do You Need a Job?

When people tell me that they need a job, I tell them it is an income that they seek, not really a job. 

A job is just one way of many to create an income.  These are the same people who fell victim to a system that consists of going to a school that, instead of teaching “how” to learn, students are instead taught “what” to learn. Perhaps doing a stint in the military where, once again, recruits are told what to do and what to think. Good ole’ God and country values. Then we get married, have 2.3 kids and work for someone else until death or retirement gives you the opportunity to look back at your life with regret wondering what the fuck went wrong.

My mission is to get these people to think outside the box society has placed them in. You don’t need to have the traditional job to create an income for yourself and the sooner that you realize what society has told you is a big fat lie, the better off you will be. The days of one worker supporting a family are long gone. In the 21^st century workplace, it generally takes two breadwinners working full time to make ends meet and even this might not be enough.

My grandparents came to America in the mid 1920’s, entering through Ellis Island with scores of other immigrants seeking the American Dream. They faced many challenges and each brought with them a set of skills and not much else, which they used to build their legacy. They were tradesmen and hard workers. They learned the language of their new homeland and adapted to the American way of life. My grandfather was a brilliant tailor, hand sewing suits for celebrities and politicians of the era. A skill set that he brought with him from “the old country” (Italy) as he called it.

What the immigrants all had in common was that they never looked to anyone to determine the hourly value of their work efforts. They never dreamed of being an employee, working for someone other than themselves. They all had the hearts of an Entrepreneur. They made their own money and way in life. They bartered their goods and services for other immigrants’ goods and services. There were carpenters, bakers, shoe makers and tailors like my granddad. Tradesmen. For most, there was no possibility of failure. They had no exit plan. It was do or die. 

And this is our starting point. There are countless ways to earn a substantial income without having a job, but we need to crawl before we can walk, so the first step we must take is developing a proper mindset. You need to quit thinking like a worker bee and start think like a wolf.

Video Resumes

A video resume is essential in a job seeker’s toolbox. They allow you to stand out among other candidates and directly to the employer.

Video resumes are a way for candidates to go beyond traditional methods of applying, such as submitting only a resume, cover letter, and work samples. Lasting typically 60 seconds, these videos are your shot to make the best first impression to an employer. A video resume lets the employer literally see you and hear your case (via your communication skills, personality and charisma) as the best candidate for the job - all before the interview takes place.


Video resumes are an enhancement, not a replacement, to the traditional resume. As such, they offer the chance to expand and show the skills you have to offer, not just to recite what’s already on your resume. In fact, your 60 second video resume can give you a better chance to get noticed by employers, as paper resumes are only looked by recruiters for up to six seconds before a decision is made.

Whether you want to talk about how exactly you trimmed your department’s budget by 50 percent or show off the apps you programmed in your spare time, video resumes reinforce letting you speak for yourself, rather than just a piece of paper. It helps you to cut to the chase and directly addresses why you should be considered.

Video Resume Tips

Don’t Recite Your Resume
Employers already have a copy of your resume, so it’s not the ideal use of your 60 seconds to recite what they already know. Use your video to show and tell what employers can’t discover from your resume alone. For example, use an accomplishment found on your resume and elaborate how you achieved it or what skills you learned from getting your degree. Be sure to include aspects you like in a job, or a workplace. Employers want to know your strengths, weaknesses, and even likes and dislikes. Be honest - making sure you align with their culture should be just as important to you as it is to an employer.

Have A Script
You’ve mapped out in your mind what you want to communicate, so now it’s time to transfer those thought into an organized format: a script. This script doesn’t have to be completely written out, it can simply be an outline of your main points. That way, when you’re actually ready to record, you’ll know what to say and the delivery will be natural and smooth.

Practice Makes Perfect
Now that you have your script, you’re ready to practice until you’re ready to send off your best video resume. The advantage here (because it isn’t live video) is that you can record until you’ve perfected your delivery and are comfortable letting employers view it. As an added benefit, share your versions to family or friends for critique, as they may be able to catch certain technical aspects or qualities of your delivery you might not think are distracting or off putting.

So TALK TO ME! Give me a call at 1.800.722.6021 and discover how VIDEO can boost your resume views and will become a vital tool in your job search strategy.

The Unadvertised Job Search Strategy

How do you strategize your job search?
Do you use:

• Classified ads
• Temp Services
• Employment agencies
• Word of mouth
• Word of mouse (searching online)

Congratulations. You have just joined the unwashed masses that are in your same situation and doing the same thing trying to find a job. The reason you are not standing out from the crowd getting noticed by employers is that you are not doing anything that makes you noticeable! You are just a nameless face among the score of other job seekers. Your job search so far has been cookie cutter.

Are you ready to try something different?

Step 1 - Info Gathering
In your industry, decide how wide you want your search to be. I counsel my clients to start local (5-10 mile radius) and search for every company in that area. Do your homework. Who is the Top Dog? This is the owner or CEO - NOT the HR department or manager. This is your first point of contact. If you need to broaden your search area, so be it, just use the 5-10 mile radius as a starting point.

Step 2 - Draft Cover Letters
I'm not talking about a generic intro cover letter, you need to personalize this directly to the owner/CEO.

Step 3 - CONTACT!
If you can locate an email address send the email with your resume attached. This might take a bit of doing if it isn't readily available so go to plan B - SNAIL MAIL with an enclosed resume. Better yet, pay the company a visit and drop your resume and cover letter off personally. If it is a relatively small company and the owner is present just quickly introduce yourself and hand him (or her) your resume and cover letter in an envelope addressed to them personally. The only conversation you should have is short and sweet, saying something along the lines of quickly introducing yourself and that you were in the area on another appointment and just wanted to drop your resume for him to review in hopes that there is a position available now or in the near future you can help fill.

If it is a larger company, a similar strategy can be used with the gate keeper but the envelope containing your resume would just have the CEO's name on it as opposed to company name and address.

Here is the effect this strategy will have. Once your resume is in the Top Dogs hands and there is another department or person that handles hiring new employee's, psychologically, your resume coming from the CEO will get more attention than one delivered by the mail carrier.

Think outside the box. It happens to be a highly competitive job market and job seekers MUST do things that separate them from the pack of other hungry job applicants.

Tomorrow we will discuss how including a short, 60 video link in your cover letter, increases your chance of being interviewed by 60%. Until then, get your resume critiqued by a professional and DO YOUR HOMEWORK about where and who you will be sending your polished resume to.

See How Difficult This Is?

People think that what I do is so easy that anyone can do it.

BULLSHIT I say!

It takes laser focus and incredible discipline to do what I do consistently and on a daily basis. There are duties that must be performed without fail to optimize success and it is extremely difficult to accomplish. Distractions get in the way...LIFE gets in the way. So how does one keep on keeping on?

I think the answer would be different for each of us, but the important thing to remember is NEVER EEEEEEEEVVVER give up. Failure cannot and will not be an option. Period! So how do you stay motivated when you - especially at the beginning - do things daily and not see immediate results?

Here are some tips that I use:

Schedule AND WRITE DOWN what must be done. My schedule includes walking Molly in the morning followed by a trip to the grocery store. This revolves around my "writers' duties of advertising, marketing, blog posts, social media (business and personal) and the actual writing part. The physical act of writing it, be it with pen to pad or keyboard and mouse, does something physiological that frees up space on the biological hard drive called the brain. Also, going back and reading what you have written several times during the day keeps the thoughts fresh in your mind. I dont know exactly why this works, I just know that it does.


One of my issues is that I need to commingle my duties to my personal life and my business life and at times the personal just takes control. This causes the guilt to set in so I have to struggle to accept and embrace the days events and tell myself that the work WILL get done and not to feel overwhelmed. So I guess my second tip would be to STOP FEELING GUILTY. Easier said than done I know, but I've always been hard on myself.

Blogging certainly helps. This post alone is putting things in the proper perspective in my head.

I think I need to get a white board and write down my daily duties. To ensure things get done. To hold myself accountable and to give those around me an idea of what I need to accomplish on any given day. I have a tendency to bottle stuff like that up and find myself getting angered when I cant focus.

I need to take time for learning and continued education. I need to communicate these things better to my family because what I do is just as important to them as it is to me.

So tomorrow we will get back into this process we started last week. We will continue to provide a service and education to the job seeker. We will help get people back to work again.

And we will embrace life for the magical mystical journey that it is, complete with all its wonderful distractions and OWN that shit.

Until tomorrow...