Is The Job Search Stressing You Out?

April brings a medley of events — tax season, the onset of spring, and for many companies, the start of a fresh quarter. It was mentioned in my last Newsletter, that it's also Stress Awareness Month!

If your current job is causing you undue stress, or if the pursuit of a new one feels equally overwhelming, I'm here to lend a hand.

In this month's newsletter, discover strategies for rejuvenating your career pursuits, a modern perspective on résumé enhancements, and the questionable notion of a dry promotion. Keep reading for more insights.

Time to Spring Clean Your Career Efforts

Spring is a great time to scour your house, and tis also the season to freshen up your career goals and prep. Consider…

• Updating your brand docs

Your résumé, CV, LinkedIn profile and any other docs you use when you’re looking for a new role or simply polishing your professional presence

• Clean up your digital footprint

Google yourself. Where are the problem spots?

• Refreshing your network

Clear out old contacts, reach out to people you haven’t talked to in a while, consider who else you might connect with on LinkedIn

• Audit your skill sets

Where are there gaps and places you could learn more this year?

What you look like on the outside really counts when you’re looking for a new job. Even if you’re not currently searching, taking a little time every year to attend to your professional appearance will pay dividends down the line.

An Updated Take on Fancy Résumés

“Kip, is it best to go old-school with my résumé? Or add some flair?”

Honestly, as a recruiter, my opinion has changed over time. While a few years ago I may have said “Keep it clean and professional” and discouraged adding any sort of visual elements or graphics, more and more, I see résumés that are indeed zhuzhed up with flair — graphics, color blocks, interesting layouts.

A recent poll by Canva backs this up (although their visual-design automation platform certainly has some skin in the game): 71% of hiring managers they polled expect text-only résumés to go extinct in the next 5 years.

However, there’s one thing I do not recommend: a photo of yourself on your résumé. I am sure you are quite good looking! But a headshot increases the risk of profiling accusations, and for that reason, recruiters and hiring managers may avoid your résumé.

Instead of a selfie, consider using a graphical template (Canva is just one option) and using color and other simple graphics to make it eye catching. But also make sure you keep it professional, clean, and sleek.

Should You Take a Dry Promotion?

You get a new job title — and way more responsibility — but not a corresponding raise. It’s called a “dry promotion.” So should you take it?

You might expect me to say “never,” but the reality is, raises aren’t in the forecast at every company right now. In a recent poll by compensation consultants Pearl Meyer, 13% of employers frankly think it’s a perfectly fine idea to reward employees with new job titles if they don’t have financial raises in the budget. That percentage is up from 8% just six years ago.

If you’re not going to get a raise, a new title and role might still be a valuable addition to your résumé.

Of course, your personal experience at this job, and your intuition, matter in the equation, too. If your gut is telling you you’re being taken advantage of, it’s wise to listen and move on.

Confused? Always feel free to reach out when you’re ready to start your job search and want some feedback on your résumé.