In today’s hyper-competitive job market, your resume is your personal marketing tool. Therefore, choosing a good template is quite a challenge for many professionals. Especially due to the fact that the first "thing" looking at your resume most often is a bot, not the human eye. Most employers now rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to sift through countless resumes, which means the template you choose can significantly impact whether or not your application ever gets seen by human eyes.

As a career coach with years of experience helping professionals apply for jobs and advance their careers, I’ve encountered countless resumes that looked great on the surface but were fundamentally flawed in terms of ATS compatibility. To investigate whether freely available resume templates are up to the task, I conducted an in-depth analysis of some of the most popular sources for free resume templates online. The results were enlightening—and in some cases, alarming.

Read the full Blog on the Website

Free Job Hunting Webinar Invitation: "How to Secure Your Next Role in a Competitive and Tight Job Market"

Are you an experienced professional or executive navigating today’s tough job market? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn actionable strategies to stand out and land your next role.

Date & Time in Different Timezones: Aug 27 8AM AEST | Aug 26 6PM EDT | Aug 26 3PM PDT | Aug 26 11PM BST | Aug 27 6AM SGT | Aug 27 12AM CEST

What we’ll cover:

• How to differentiate yourself in a crowded market.
• The latest trends in executive branding.
• Navigating the complexities of today's job search.

Reserve your spot now and take the first step toward securing your next role.

Reset Your Career - Fast-Track Your Job Search in One Weekend

31 Days of Action for Job Seekers

Find Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career Grow

Join 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe Now

Lear More About Renata's career coaching and courses

Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 Introduction to Free Resume Templates
• 00:54 Personal Updates and Episode Plans
• 01:39 Understanding Recruiter Compensation
• 02:33 Types of Recruiters and Their Motivations
• 06:40 The Impact of Recruiter Compensation on Job Seekers
• 09:58 LinkedIn Profiles: Common Mistakes and Best Practices
• 12:32 Personal Insights on Goal Setting and Job Searching
• 15:18 Analyzing Popular Resume Templates
• 33:22 Creating Professional Banners
• 34:43 Exploring Canva Resume Templates
• 42:17 The Pitfalls of Reddit Advice
• 45:25 Evaluating Indeed's Resume Templates
• 47:02 The Harvard Resume Template
• 52:34 Final Thoughts and Best Practices

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 226 - This Recruiter Wants You to

Job hunting while employed can be a delicate balancing act. On the one hand, you want to find a new opportunity that better aligns with your career goals, but on the other, you must maintain discretion and continue to perform in your current role. This blog and episode 253 of The Job Hunting Podcast provide essential strategies to help you navigate this process successfully, ensuring a smooth career move.

Read the full Blog on the Website

Free Job Hunting Webinar Invitation: "How to Secure Your Next Role in a Competitive and Tight Job Market"

Are you an experienced professional or executive navigating today’s tough job market? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn actionable strategies to stand out and land your next role.

Date & Time in Different Timezones: Aug 27 8AM AEST | Aug 26 6PM EDT | Aug 26 3PM PDT | Aug 26 11PM BST | Aug 27 6AM SGT | Aug 27 12AM CEST

What we’ll cover:

• How to differentiate yourself in a crowded market.
• The latest trends in executive branding.
• Navigating the complexities of today's job search.

Reserve your spot now and take the first step toward securing your next role.

Reset Your Career - Fast-Track Your Job Search in One Weekend

31 Days of Action for Job Seekers

Find Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career Grow

Join 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe Now

Lear More About Renata's career coaching and courses

Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 Introduction: Job Hunting While Employed
• 00:56 Life Happens During Job Hunting
• 01:29 Personal Thoughts and Movie Marathon
• 03:06 Superpowers: Luck and Persuasion
• 11:04 Main Topic: Job Hunting While Employed
• 12:19 Practical Tips for Discreet Job Hunting
• 18:57 Managing Energy and Time for Job Search
• 22:00 Choosing References and Handling Discovery
• 32:45 Conclusion and Upcoming Masterclass

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 237 - An Interview with ChatGPT: How to Optimize Your Job Search Using AI
• Episode 199 - Job Hunting in the AI Era: Making Your CV Stand Out

About the host, Renata Bernarde

Hello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less...

Recent incidents involving leadership communication failures, such as the global IT disruption caused by CrowdStrike and the mishandling of security by the U.S. Secret Service, offer valuable lessons for corporate professionals on the importance of crisis communication.

In July 2024, CrowdStrike—a leading cybersecurity firm—released a faulty software update that triggered widespread system crashes on Windows devices globally. This incident disrupted vital sectors including healthcare, finance, and transportation, leading to significant operational chaos. Despite the technical nature of the issue, CrowdStrike's leadership struggled to effectively communicate the situation, which amplified public concern and shook confidence in the company's ability to manage crises.

Similarly, the U.S. Secret Service faced severe criticism following their response to a security breach in July 2024 during a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump. The mishandling of communication in the aftermath, coupled with delayed and unclear public statements, eroded trust and led to calls for leadership changes within the agency.

These examples underscore the critical need for leaders to be prepared with clear, empathetic, and confident communication strategies during crises. Whether it's handling the pressure of a job interview or navigating a major organizational crisis, the ability to communicate effectively during tough times is a skill that can set you apart as a leader. This blog will explore essential strategies for mastering crisis communication, helping you advance your career and make informed decisions during critical moments.

Read the full Blog on the Website

Free Job Hunting Webinar Invitation: "How to Secure Your Next Role in a Competitive and Tight Job Market"

Are you an experienced professional or executive navigating today’s tough job market? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn actionable strategies to stand out and land your next role.

Date & Time in Different Timezones: Aug 27 8AM AEST | Aug 26 6PM EDT | Aug 26 3PM PDT | Aug 26 11PM BST | Aug 27 6AM SGT | Aug 27 12AM CEST

What we’ll cover:

• How to differentiate yourself in a crowded market.
• The latest trends in executive branding.
• Navigating the complexities of today's job search.

Reserve your spot now and take the first step toward securing your next role.

Reset Your Career - Fast-Track Your Job Search in One Weekend

31 Days of Action for Job Seekers

Find Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career Grow

Join 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe Now

Lear More About Renata's career coaching and courses

Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 Introduction to Effective Communication
• 00:52 Reflecting on the Podcast's Journey
• 01:42 Navigating the Job Market
• 07:19 Dealing with Illness While Working
• 15:19 Case Studies of Communication Failures
• 27:57 The Importance of Empathy in Leadership
• 40:22...