As 2011 draws to a close, many will sit down and ponder how to better themselves in the coming year. While those around you swear off chocolate and vow to save more money, why not consider adopting the following 6 New Year’s resolutions for your job search?
1) I Will Be Better About Networking
You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again: networking is key to finding a job. Some reports suggest that as many as 80% of open jobs are not made public, while other reports say that applicants with a referral are ten times more likely to have their resume viewed by a hiring manager. So get to it. Go to networking events. Reach out regularly to those already in your network. Identify at least five companies that you’re interested in and make contact via email, LinkedIn, or in-person.
2) I Will Ask for Feedback on My Resume
For one reason or another many job seekers don’t ask for help on their resumes. It’s time to ask. If you’ve asked before, ask again. Seek out people in your industry and those who have been in charge of hiring others in the past. Visit your university’s career and alumni centers, which will be happy to help regardless of how long ago you graduated.
3) I Will Be Strategic About the Jobs I Apply to
Far too many job seekers are opting for quantity over quality when it comes to submitting job applications. Stories abound of people who apply to 50 jobs per day and receive zero responses. Rather than adopting the more-is-better approach, you need to realistic with the jobs that you apply to and strategic with how you apply to them.
Don’t apply for an entry-level job if you have 10 years of experience, and don’t apply to be the VP of Marketing at a major company if you’re fresh out of school. Instead, find jobs that you are qualified or near-qualified for, then take your time with your application. Tailor your resume and cover letter to the open position and to the company itself. No two job openings are identical, so no two job applications should be either.
4) I Will Enhance My Online Presence
91 percent of hiring managers research job applicants on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, so make sure you have a solid online presence. Rather than hide yourself from search results (as many job seekers do on Facebook), use social networks to your advantage. Pick information that establishes you as a thought leader in your target industry and post content that makes you more hireable simply because you’re a great person. Publicly post photos of you volunteering or attending notable industry conferences. Tweet about pertinent news and comment on company status updates.
5) I Will Brush Up on Important Skills
Skill atrophy is a major concern of hiring managers, especially when an applicant has been out of work for a while. So stay current with skills that are crucial to your industry. If you’re an architect, continue building models. Statistician? Start a blog like OkCupid’s OkTrends. Aside from keeping your skills honed, you’ll build a portfolio and surprise hiring managers with how proactive you’ve been while out of work.
6) I Will Be Positive
Looking for a job can be emotionally draining, particularly when an offer doesn’t materialize right away. It’s crucial to stay positive, however, as your outlook can greatly influence your outcome. Companies want to hire people who are positive. Whether you realize it or not, hiring managers can pick up on even slight hints of negativity. Before you apply to a job, have a phone screening, or attend an in-person interview, visualize a positive outcome and think through your past successes. It may seem silly but, then again, it may make the difference in how a hiring manager receives you.
