It's a new year, time to turn over a new leaf. It’s also a different environment this year than last, but does that mean it’s any easier to land a job? Companies are still being very careful to hire just the right person. The good news is that many companies are showing signs of a new sense of urgency to find the best. The real truth, they are not hiring just to fill slots. They are hiring to make productivity gains. They are hiring where their skills needs are. This year, your focus should be on finding the right job for you and doing everything you can to demonstrate that you are the best candidate for that job. The competition will still be tough, but here are some tips that can turn the tables in your favor. The following is a summary list of 10 key items you should work on and will be the subject of 10 monthly articles this year. Watch for them in future months.
1. Narrow your search. Stop applying to jobs that you're not qualified for or don't really want. It's a waste of time and what’s the point? Search recruiters are not impressed when you apply for 10 or more jobs at the same time. Be honest with yourself when evaluating job postings. Put yourself in that company’s shoes. Do you really have those skills to start that job tomorrow? Really read the job description. If you won’t or can’t move to that area, then why are you applying? If you don’t have the experience called for, how do you expect your resume to show that? While it's always great to be willing to learn, companies today want to hire someone who can jump right in and get started without being trained from scratch. More in February…
2. Know exactly what you want. Narrowing down your job search may force you to ask yourself some tough questions such as: What kind of job am I really after? And what skills can I really demonstrate to a new employer? If you're unsure of the answer, you are not prepared. Ask your peers what they see in you as your strengths and skills. Then focus your search on what you do best. More in March…
3. Do you need more training? If you feel as if you've looked at every job posting on earth and you still can't find one your skills match up with, then it's time to get some new skills. This may be the perfect opportunity to go back to school, or at least add some challenging night classes. More in April…
4. Set goals. Yes, your overall goal may be to get a job, but setting short-term, specific job search goals for the year will help you grow and force you to continuously evaluate your progress. Set your longer term goals on such things as how much do I need to put away to retire, and when is it really that I expect to retire? More in May…
5. Improve your References: Friends and family are not suitable references. Your references are former supervisors, satisfied customers, and other relevant peers, such as those that mentored you in the past. Make sure your interviewer has reference information and that they can follow up with key people that know your work and are familiar enough with your specific effort that led to the objective results. More in June…
6. Get ahold of your online reputation: When human-resources managers search for your name online, and they will do it, you can either take control of what they see, or you can leave it to the powers of the search gods. Search results that are professional and consistent and that establish you as an expert in your field will be far more impressive than Facebook pictures from that last party. Things like a Facebook or LinkedIn profile and a Twitter feed will all show up on the first page, so signing up for these sites and populating the accounts with up-to-date, professional content will make a great impression. Also, if you have what you think is a humorous or suggestive email address, get rid of it. Something like love-goddess is not going to give the impression necessary to get a professional position. More in July…
7. Network: Improve your networking skills. Make it a goal to be active in a professional organization. Get to know others in your industry better and just what they do in their job. Becoming more socially active in your industry field will boost your self-esteem and motivate you to continue searching by providing you with new leads and information. More in August…
8. Be accurate on your resume: HR managers are more diligent than ever on accuracy of resumes submitted. Make sure your job titles are accurately reflected as well as the exact status of your education. Your resume should contain quantifiable accomplishments, not just what you were responsible for. If you have a 4 year degree, then state that, such as B.S. in Education. If you don’t have the degree, then don’t imply that. Once screened out, you will not get another shot at that company no matter how many times you apply. Remember, your resume will stay in databases for a very long time, so if you applied years ago with inaccurate information and you try to apply again years later, with different information, you are likely going to be flagged forever with that company for being dishonest. More in September…
9. Stay current: You should always be in the loop, even if you're out of work. Read trade publications, comment on industry blogs and stay on top of any emerging technologies or policies that may affect your career path. Sign up for RSS feeds on news articles related to your industry, and job postings that are relevant to your field. Your current knowledge will not only help you have a great conversation with an interviewer and keep your professional edge, but it may also give you new ideas about where and how to look for a job. More in October…
10. Sell yourself: An interview is no time for modesty, especially in times like these. When you land an interview, go prepared with at least five examples that demonstrate your best qualities. That way, when an interviewer asks, "Why should I hire you," you can talk about what your experiences are relevant to the company’s needs. You should have researched the job well enough that you can answer that in the interview. If you haven’t, then you didn’t prepare well. More in November…
