Elena Cruz
Founder of CareerProz, Inc.
www.linkedin.com/in/elenarcruz

CareerProz, Inc.
www.careerproz.com
info@careerproz.com
917.586.9437

Despite all the travails that society has gone through over the past  eighteen months, this may be an optimal time to be looking for new opportunities, or why not do a career-180 and transition to doing something that you’ve always wanted to do? The corporate job market appears to be on the rebound, as well. Companies are actively hiring, and prospective job applicants are polishing up their resumes, eager to put their best foot forward.

When the goal is to impress a corporate recruiter or HR chief, it's only smart to make sure that your resume is up-to-date and mistake-free. That's a given. But, important as the classic resume may be, it is not the only key that unlocks the door to your future success. Acing that face-to-face interview, whether it's on Zoom or in-person, is equally important, if not more so. The interview process allows the jobseeker to make a human connection and place a face, so to speak, on the resume.

And, don't forget about your LinkedIn profile. Because the decision-makers you want to impress the most certainly won't neglect to check it out. LinkedIn is THE way to enhance your brand and separate you from the pack. However, please keep in mind your LinkedIn profile has got to be professional and informative.

Let's be honest; gearing yourself up to look for a job can be a daunting task, especially if you're a little out of practice, as most of society has hit the pause button during the height of Covid. It's only human to feel overwhelmed. But, it doesn't have to be that way. There's no need to venture out on this challenging journey alone. One call or email to Elena Cruz, founder of CareerProz, will provide you with a valuable ally in your job search.

Accelerate Your Job Search with CareerProz

A true game-changer, Elena brings to the table over twenty years of experience as a corporate recruiter. As a former decision-maker, she  knows the ins and outs of the hiring process like the back of her hand.

Starting on the agency side, Cruz worked for industry heavyweights like Vance Staffing and Axion. After seven years, she then transitioned to recruit for major corporations; Wells Fargo Financial, Cypress Health Group, and Sterling Talent Solutions, where she recruited for the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Cruz was kind enough to sit down with Aplez.com and talk about her years in corporate America as well as her brand CareerProz.

Will Your Resume Make the Cut?

First off, Elena addressed the issue as to why the majority of applicants’ resumes fail to make the cut. That's the number one question on most job-seekers minds. 

"Back when I was employed as a recruiter, on any given day, I might have to review one hundred plus resumes, and I would end up passing on 90% of them. It was frustrating knowing that some of those candidates might have been great fits if only their resumes had resonated with me more."

"Leveraging that experience, I can help the applicant with crafting a modernized, accomplishment-based resume that will gain the attention of recruiters and hiring managers."

Elena went on to say that, "Above all, make sure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors on your resume. In the past, I have seen the best of candidates who were under consideration for a job offer get eliminated because of these kinds of mistakes."

Eliminate Job Search Pitfalls with CareerProz

Elena founded CareerProz in 2018 with the mission to help job seekers navigate the murky waters of the hiring process, so they can apply to new opportunities with confidence.

"When my last firm merged, and my role was eliminated, I decided that the time was right to leverage my recruiting experience and develop a partnership with job seekers.

“My focus is on optimizing jobseekers search efforts by offering a wide variety of services, ranging from resume revision and LinkedIn profile optimization to interview / career coaching and customized cover letters."

Drawing on a wealth of experience behind the interviewer's desk, Elena knows exactly what recruiters are looking to see in a resume as well as what's going to catch their eye and spark their interest to call you and schedule that all-important interview.

Break the ATS Algorithm 

The majority of job candidates have no idea what an ATS is and how it can adversely affect your chance of having your resume be seen by a recruiter.

ATS, also known as Applicant Tracking Systems, is a filter used by most corporations that weed out tons of resumes based on the algorithms the company sets.

Elena advises, "Your resume should be keyword-rich, meaning that certain, essential words that are in the job description are incorporated into your resume. If not, your resume may not make it past the ATS and won't even be read by an HR person."

Ace Your Interview

Aplez.com was curious as to what Elena felt were the most common mistakes that job applicants make during an interview with a prospective employer. She had plenty to say about that, for sure!

"Without a doubt, the mistake that all too many applicants make is not being prepared. Most job seekers, from entry-level to seasoned professionals, approach the interview process thinking that they can wing it and will figure out the ‘correct’ answer when they get to the interview.”

That, to put it bluntly, is a big no-no. It's vital to remember this; you only get one chance for a positive first impression, and the only magic word for how to have a successful interview is preparation.

This is where Cruz's interview coaching skills come in handy.

"The only way that you can exude confidence when you are in the interview ‘hot seat’ is by doing your homework beforehand," Elena firmly stated.

"Learn everything you can about the company where you're interviewing. Write down some basic questions you think you'll be asked and practice your answers. The main thing you want to do during the interview is to avoid awkward moments of uncomfortable silence."

There are no judgments being handed down at CareerProz. You will immediately feel comfortable around Elena. She is super-supportive and easy-going.

But, like any good career coach or sports coach, Cruz will also give you the right approach to find the "winner within," as Basketball legend Pat Riley once wrote about in his acclaimed book.

"I always tell my clients to break the ice with me. Let's weed out any potential mistakes and discomfort in a mock interview. I want them to walk away from an interview knowing that they gave it their best effort and are not saying to themselves, ‘I wish I would have said something else. Why did I say that?’” That is sound advice, indeed.

Get Noticed by Recruiters on LinkedIn

Earlier in the article, we touched briefly on the incredible impact that LinkedIn has been having on the job market over the past few years. 

Elena strives to make her clients aware that "Your LinkedIn profile is your virtual handshake to recruiters and hiring managers. It should differ from one's resume slightly and is a bit less formal, allowing for a person's personality to shine through, so be sure to take advantage of that."

When posting a profile on LinkedIn, make it as compelling as possible so it will push recruiters to reach out to you directly, Elena advises.

Holding a BA in Sociology from Hunter College, Elena feels that her degree has helped her understand and relate to people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds within her professional and personal life.

"My degree and life experiences have proved invaluable in dealing with people in general as well as their career goals. I loved my years studying Sociology at Hunter and could not be prouder to leverage my degree in a field that has garnered me a career I am so very proud of," said Cruz.

Enclosing a cover letter with your resume and following up a virtual or in-person interview with a thank-you note has become something of a lost art. 

"However,” Cruz told Aplez.com, “these types of letters are still important and meaningful, even more so now because of our competitive market. A brief, well-written note can make you stand out above other candidates."

Success Begins with a Complimentary Consultation with Elena

There's no time like the present to get in touch with Elena and put together a plan of action. She even offers a complimentary consultation. How much easier can it get than that?

"The first step in the process is a consultation that is between 15 and 25 minutes on average. We will start by discussing career goals and why a client is looking for a particular service. Next, I'll talk a bit about my background and experience so that clients can understand how my career history can assist them at this point in their lives. After that, we'll chat about the process involved for each service as well as go over pricing, packages and discounts."

ONE OF THE MOST GRATIFYING THINGS ABOUT OWNING A BUSINESS SUCH AS MINE IS THAT I CAN HELP MY COMMUNITY AND CLIENTS WITH ONE OF THE HARDEST ENDEAVORS OF A PERSON'S LIFE...EMPLOYMENT!

"One of the most gratifying things about owning a business such as mine is that I can help my community and clients with one of the hardest endeavors of a person's life... employment! It's all about helping clients confidently search for new opportunities that can be life-altering."

Elena Cruz and CareerProz have got your back when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder. Just bring your resiliency, and she will do the rest.

Article appeared on Aplez (www.aplez.com) on September 27, 2021