Job searching has changed over the past decade, gone are the days of one resume and applying in person. The new age of technology makes job searching overwhelming. What is an ATS or LinkedIn? As a Career coach I recommend embracing technology and learning how to become more tech savvy.

A few simple steps to get you started:

1. An email just for job search that is your name

2. A Branding Statement

3. A Resume

4. A LinkedIn Profile

5. A method to Organize your job search

The list seems easy enough to tackle but remember that one resume does not fit all your job search needs but you can only have one LinkedIn profile. This can be an obstacle to job seekers. First, you need to know what type of job you want and how can you create value. You need to brand yourself effectively. I am JOB TITLE and I CREATE VALUE BY.

Now, you are able to create an accomplishment based resume where each bullet represents where you added value and if you can quantify that value even better. Your LinkedIn profile is a snapshot of your resume, not an exact duplicate. In LinkedIn you need to think of you entire job search and highlight 1 or 2 accomplishments per job, list your skills, ask for recommendations and be active in the conversation in LinkedIn.

Next, you will apply for jobs by using job board such as www.glassdoor.com, www.indeed.com, or www.linkedin.com. You need to tailor your resume for each job to get past the applicant tracking system (ATS). The ATS system is your first hurdle. There are websites that can help you with the ATS system such as www.jobscan.co.

Your second hurdle is staying organized. You need to keep a list of each job you apply for with dates, resume used, and contacts you might have at the company. While a notebook could work, there is no way to quickly search it if you get a call from the company you applied for. I recommend creating an excel spreadsheet or using www.jibberjobber.com to stay organized in an efficient manner.

Your last hurdle is networking and www.linkedin.com is your tool. To land a job you need to network. LinkedIn is a great way to start networking with people you know, people you want to know and people who can help you. Building a strong network of people is key to landing your next job. Recruiters can also assist you in getting hired.

Last but not least stay positive during your job search. Desperate does not look good on anyone!