Rounding the bend to the end of 2021, how has it been for you? Whether you are getting this newsletter because you’re actively looking for a new job or just like to have a recruiter on your radar, welcome.
In this month’s newsletter, cities are paying people to move to them. How to get past that pesky resume-reading software. And my three top picks for essential short reads.
The Perks of Relocating in a Hot Job Market
Quirky perks used to be the domain of companies trying to lure the best talent away from the competition. Now, cities are getting in on the act.
Move to Topeka? $10K in cash.
Stillwater, Oklahoma? $5K toward your new home plus… free martial arts.
I guess you need self-defense classes if you live in Stillwater? Who knows.
The point is, with remote work now a mainstream paradigm for a lot of industries, people have more flexibility in where they live, and some of the smaller cities that have not traditionally been hubs for, say, the tech industry, want in on the action.
If you’re curious what your favorite under-the-radar city would pay you to move there, visit MakeMyMove.
“But James, what if I like where I live?”
At the end of the day, the stipends to entice talent to move should be icing on the cake, not the entire motivation to pick up your life and relocate. A lot of these perks, in fact, come with stipulations, so always read the fine print carefully if you’re considering such an offer.
How to Bypass the Secret Resume-Reading Software
“James, how do I get past automated resume-scanning software?”
This is a question I hear a lot, and one I’ve answered before. But since software constantly changes, and our understanding of how to work with it changes, the answer changes over time, too.
Here’s what I recommend:
🔹 When it comes to the important keywords, don’t be too creative.
🔹 One column is ideal. Multiple columns can confuse the software.
🔹 This advice is controversial, but from what I’ve lately seen, Word or Google docs are easier for scanning software to parse than PDFs.
🔹 And lastly, if you’re using visuals to spice up your resume, great, but know that they won’t be seen by the software. So if they’re critical to your message, make sure the words appear as text, too.
This is where it gets tricky. You want your resume to get past automated software. But once it’s in the hands of a human, you also want to grab their eye. Do your best, and know that working with a recruiter is one great way to get your foot in the door.
This Month’s Must-Reads
Every month, I curate a few must-read articles for job seekers to help you keep on top of trends and best practices. Here are my picks for November:
You’re starting a new job, and you want to make the best possible impression. Your instinct is to be as agreeable as possible. Here are some important questions to ask, from Harvard Business Review.
Want to know which companies have the happiest employees? Comparably has the data.
The ethics of being double-employed, from the BBC.
That’s it for this month. Stay tuned for my last newsletter of the year in December!
James
Johnson Recruiting Group
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