Jumpstart Your Career Goals in the New Year
New year, new mindset, new career? If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to find a new job, let us help steer you in the right direction with the right job-seeking tips.
Tip 1: Update your Resume
When was the last time you looked at your resume? Can you find it in your Google Drive or Document folder on your computer? If the answer is “too long ago” and “yes” to those questions, respectively, then great! Congratulations, you do not have to start over! But we do need to update it before you apply for any job!
The purpose of your resume is to list relevant work experience and skills that will show the hiring manager why you are great for the job. What if we tell you there is a better way to show this? First thing first, list your accomplishments. Why is this so important? You want the person reading your resume to learn something they do not already know. For the most part, hiring managers will understand what duties are associated with your job titles. Hiring managers do not want to see another job description. They want to see what value you will bring to the organization.
So, how can you achieve this? First, start by compiling a list of all the things that set you apart. Ask yourself what you did above and beyond your job duties for each job position on your resume. Then, take your list and add in as many facts, figures, and numbers as you can. By quantifying your accomplishments, you allow the hiring manager to picture the level of work or responsibility needed to achieve this accomplishment. Take each statement on your list one step further by adding the benefit from your action. By doing this, you communicate your capabilities and the direct benefit the employer will receive by hiring you.
Tip 2: Log in to your LinkedIn
Remember LinkedIn? Businesses use LinkedIn to recruit and share job opportunities, so do not miss out! Log back in and begin following companies you are interested in and would like to learn more about. If you use LinkedIn to find your next job opportunity, make sure your profile is up to date with your most recent work experience. Now, how do you make yourself stand out? Your LinkedIn headline.
If you are attempting to leverage your LinkedIn presence for professional gain—please race over to your profile immediately. Is your headline your current job title and company name? Most likely, the answer is yes. By default, LinkedIn populates your headline with your current job title and employer—and that is what people leave in there. However, that small section is prime marketing real estate. Use your LinkedIn headline to promote your brand statement, core marketing message, and most enticing expertise.
So how do you get from the default job title headline to an elevated headline? A great LinkedIn headline incorporates these two elements:
- Showcase Your Specialty or Value Proposition: Include your job title, but what is your main responsibility? What makes you stand out from the rest of the Project Managers on LinkedIn
- Speak Directly to the Audience You Want to Persuade: Include certain terminology in your respective industry to show your experience. Do you have software experience or certifications that can help you stand out from the competition?
Tip 3: Ask for Help
In your job search, it is easy to feel like you are on your own—just you and your resume, against the millions of other job seekers. Do not be afraid to reach out to your network, prior coworkers/bosses, or join networking events. Another great resource out there is recruiters!
Riverway Business Services is a leading full-service staffing company dedicated to helping our client companies find the best employees possible. Our recruiters help job seekers like you find the right job. Once you apply for a role on our website, a recruiter will call you for a quick informational-style interview to get a sense of your interest, background, and career goals. Then, the recruiter will help you throughout the process until you land an interview with our client and potentially receive a job offer. As you go through the process, be honest and open about your background, goals, and how you feel about the positions our recruiters send your way. Ask any questions you may have and voice your concerns early on in the process. It is in both of your best interests that you receive an offer with a client that will be a good fit.
If you receive an offer, that is great news! If the company rejects you from continuing the hiring process, your recruiter will pass on their feedback to help you ace the next job opportunity. Your recruiter will then give you more information about other roles available similar to the one you interviewed for. If there are no roles that interest you at that moment, do not freak out. Stay in close contact with your recruiter. If a job opens up that your recruiter may think interests you, they will reach out to you. Follow up with your recruiter every few weeks if you haven’t heard from her. Remember, you do not have to pay a fee to work with a staffing company.
As you continue your job search this new year, we hope these three tips help jumpstart your search.