​Make Getting a New Job Your New Year’s Resolution

www.twincities.com/2016/12/24/working-strategies-a-wrapping-up-the-year-to-do-list/Yes, it’s that time again, when we take stock of the last year and look ahead to the next. Whether you normally make resolutions or not, here’s one that is worth committing yourself to. If you’re not happy in your current job, thinking it’s time for a promotion, or even a new career, the new year is a great time to make that promise to yourself and ensure when 2017 ends, you’ll be happily working in a new job and career that you love. Don’t let 2017 end with you in regret again.
So, how do you get started? The first thing is simply to begin of course, but here are the key elements you’ll want to work on.

1. Determine your objective. It’s critical to identify where you want to be. How else can you get there? With your objective in hand, you have a goal that you can work toward and mark your progress.
2. Get your resume updated. Resume styles have changed over the years, so make sure yours is up to date, both in its presentation of your experience as well as current best practices that appeal to recruiters. Many of my clients cringe at the thought of “bragging about themselves”, but that’s just what you need to do on your resume. Think of it as simply telling your story. If it’s still too difficult, hire a professional to help.
3. Ensure your LinkedIn profile represents your brand; who you are as a professional, what experience you have, and how involved you are in your profession. Have a great, professional looking photograph, an appealing headline, a strong, personalized summary statement that attracts people and makes them want to read more.
4. Develop a search strategy and research. Look at jobs with key words in your skillset. What appeals to you? What companies exist in your community? Which companies have a culture that appeals to you? Read, read and read more to understand where the jobs might be that you are a great fit for. Maybe the job doesn’t exist today, but if you develop a target list of companies you want to work at, you can focus your networking and search on them.
5. That brings us to the next step – Networking. Talk to everyone you can. Share your experience. Ask lots of questions. Spread the word that you are open to new opportunities. Anybody you speak to can be a great connection. I’ve had clients go out to lunch, run into a colleague from 10 years ago that led to a job interview. You just never know, so share, share, and share more.
6. Prepare for your interviews. Do research on the company, the people who will be interviewing you, develop great questions to ask them, anticipate the questions they’ll ask you and prepare answers. Review glassdoor.com to see what content people have added about interviewing experiences at the company you’re about to interview with.

Get started now. Life is a little slow between Christmas and New Years, so make the most of that time and get your job search underway. Make a plan, do the work, and you’ll end 2017 excited about what you’ve accomplished, where you are and what lies ahead.
Here’s another article with a fun little to-do list to get yourself organized.
 
Happy New Year and Best of Luck in Achieving Your Dreams!