Brian Bauer brings more than 17 years of
workforce experience to his position as
president and chief executive officer for the
Workforce Development Board of the Treasure
Coast/dba CareerSource Research Coast,
an organization that identifies workforce
issues and brings together community
resources to develop and deliver programs
and services to the local workforce area. He
received a Bachelor of Science degree from
Bradley University and is a graduate of the
Computer Network Administration program
at Keiser University. Bauer has served with
many regional organizations including: Treasure Coast Manufacturers
Association, Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County, Roundtable of
St. Lucie County, Indian River County Economic Development Council
and Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County.
Whether new to the workforce and in search of an entry-level
position or a seasoned professional searching for a new opportunity,
navigating the job market can prove challenging for any job
seeker. This is especially true during poor economic conditions
like those that have resulted from COVID-19. With limited job
openings in hard hit industry sectors and high unemployment, it
is more important than ever for job seekers to adhere to relevant,
tried-and-true job search best practices.
WELL-WRITTEN RESUME IMPORTANT
While punctuation and grammar are standard requirements
in any well-written resume, tailoring one’s resume to a desired
position is a critical yet often overlooked step. Remember to focus
your job search on positions that match your interests and skill
set. Be sure to highlight any formal education, certifications, work
history and skills relevant to the position.
By customizing your resume to include keywords specific to the
hiring criteria within a desired job post, you will vastly improve
your chances of landing an interview and ultimately a job offer.
Since online job bank algorithms use keywords to help employers
simplify the hiring process by weeding out unqualified candidates,
it is imperative not to disregard this step. If you plan to
apply for a variety of jobs, you may need to adapt your resume for
each position accordingly.
How you present your resume can also directly impact the hiring
process, especially if you have employment gaps. A chronological
resume provides the most recent job history first, whereas
a functional resume focuses on the skills you have gained over
time. Sometimes it is best to implement a combination of the
two. CareerSource Research Coast offers resume-specific workshops
to help job seekers customize their resumes as needed.
JOB SEARCH DATABASES
In today’s digital world, you will do much of your job search online;
therefore, it is vital to use a job search database that sets you
up for success. Job seekers who are registered in Employ Florida
are able to review labor market information, create targeted resumes,
research employers, search and apply to job postings, sign
up for alerts that match targeted search criteria, and much more.
When searching for job postings within this system, it is best to
target industries and companies that fit your qualifications and
background. Employ Florida contains match ratings to help you
determine whether your resume aligns with each employer’s job
posting requirements. If it does not, consider reworking your resume
to improve your scores before submitting your application
for your desired position.
INTERVIEW PREPARATION
After you have updated your resume, you will need to polish
your interviewing skills. You may find it helpful to develop a
60-second elevator pitch that highlights your qualifications and
skills and then practice in front of family and friends or a qualified
career coach. Your pitch should tell the employer why you are the
best candidate for the job. This exercise is meant to help you build
32 TCBusiness.com
BRIAN BAUER
BEST PRACTICES/JOB SEARCH
IN TODAY’S MARKET, IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE
PREPARED WHEN STARTING A NEW JOB SEARCH
confidence and settle your nerves during an interview.
Once you have scheduled your interview, remember to
research the company as well as its hiring mangers beforehand.
You will also want to arrive early, well-dressed and prepared with
a list of relevant interview questions. Relevant questions will
help you determine if the position and company culture are a
good fit. These best practices apply to both online and in-person
interviews.
HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE
When it comes to best practices, holding oneself accountable
is key to a successful job search. Treat your job search as if it were
a full-time job with a set schedule, tasks and goals each day. Start
your workday by cleaning up your social media profiles. Set them
to private and remove any unflattering photos or comments, if
possible. Seek out letters of recommendation from key leaders
and/or co-workers from past positions. Fine tune your networking
skills by attending seminars, workshops, conferences, hiring
events and job fairs or volunteer whenever possible.
People conduct business with people they know and like. As
such, networking is one of the best and most effective job search
strategies available. You will not only open yourself up to new
opportunities but also enlist others to help you hold yourself accountable
in your job search.
REEVALUATE CAREER PATH
At times, a job seeker may feel stuck. If this happens, it may be
time to reevaluate your career plan and consider alternative options,
such as a career change through post-secondary education,
on-the-job training or an apprenticeship program. Workforce
development and training program grants are available to assist
those who qualify. Whichever direction you choose, stay focused
and remain positive.
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