Bizzywomen.com had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Chandlee Bryan, career management consultant and the founder of  Best Fit Forward.

Can you tell us about yourself?   

I am a career management consultant and the founder of Best Fit Forward (www.bestfitforward.com), a boutique provider of resume writing and career coaching. I currently serve as the “resume specialist” for Microsoft Office Live’s My Resume Talks program (www.officelivestudent.com), and facilitates programming for New York City Job Seekers Meet-up (www.meetup.com/nycjobseekers).

Prior to founding Best Fit Forward, I worked in Career Services at Ivy League schools for eight years, serving as Director of Career Services at Dartmouth College’s Thayer School of Engineering. I have also worked as a recruiter. I write and speak about a diverse range of topics, from resume writing and interviewing skills to using social media in the job search.

There are a lot of coaches out there. What do you feel separates  you from everyone else? 

Like many coaches, I have a diverse set of skills and experiences that help inform my work with clients. As I spent over eight years working in Career Services at Ivy League schools, I would say that my personal “nitch” is entry-level career management strategies, and that my “secondary” differentiators are my experience in working with professional development of scientists and engineers as well as my experience in teaching others to use social media.

Do you think that there is value in using social media sites such  as Twitter and Linkedin to get a job? 

I feel that there is enormous value in utilizing social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter to find a position, and that–in fact–the use of such sites has become virtually essential in the current job market. Consider the RiseSmart statistic that job seekers spend an average of 50 hours a month online as part of their search, and the perennial wisdom that 60 to 80% of job offers are the direct result of networking–clearly any technique you can use to increase personal one-to-one exposure and interaction is enormously helpful.

Social networking sites facilitate these connections and can be incredibly powerful when used with intention. (A key element to position yourself for success is to communicate interests and experience in a consistent, concise manner across social networking platforms and to demonstrate willingness to help others.) 

In today’s situation of high unemployment, what would you tell job seekers to focus on in order to get a job? 

In today’s market, you have to “lean forward” to approach the market rather than “lean back,”  apply and wait for an offer to happen. 

Be clear about what you can do, and what value you offer others before you jump into the market. Research trends, employer needs, and demonstrate your knowledge of a position/industry throughout the application process. Ask questions to determine how your skills fit organizational needs, and articulate the impact that you can offer. 

Strive to be less than “an anonymous applicant.” When possible, identify hiring managers and stakeholders in advance of applying for positions…and let your contacts within an organization know that you’ve applied for a job with their company.

Be willing to consider contract work as a way inside the door. Many employers can make short-term commitments before they can make long-term ones.

Thank you.