As the year comes to a close, another year full of opportunities opens up. And now that you are making your New Year’s resolution, make a little room to include some resolutions for your 2011 career search.
With this new year in your hands, make sure you do everything in your power to achieve what you deserve. To start your list, brainstorm some ideas, update your resume, create an online presence, stay up-to-date with companies you are interested in, and do everything you didn’t do in 2010. If you are running out of ideas or feel like you’ve done everything you could have, here are some ways to make 2011 different from 2010.
I would suggest that you take a look at your resume and update it. ASAP. You want recruiters to see you are striving for improvement, and that year after year you are developing as a professional. Some things you can add that you may not have already are your blog, LinkedIn profile, social media experience, and any volunteering you have done. Often times, these small details are left out due to space limitations or whatever reason. However, these are details that can set your resume apart from another candidate’s. Another quick fix you can do is to look at the words you use to describe yourself or the experience you have. A recruiter once advised me to add in keywords that are included in the company’s job description. Therefore you are matching the person they are looking for.
Now another thing that you may have overlooked this year is to post your resume online. I know I did, but that has now changed. There are different resources out there, like Careerbuilder.com allows you to post your resume online. You may also do this on your LinkedIn profile. You might be thinking, “Well, I’ve never heard of anybody finding a job through those sites.” While this may be true, think differently. Think outside the box. By posting your resume online, when a recruiter Googles your name, you are increasing the chances that your resume comes up. This is will show that you are active online, and that you are proactive about your career.
In a recent article on Mashable, they gave their readers tips on how to land a job with Microsoft. They suggested following up through Facebook or other social media platforms. This was strange because we all know to send out a “thank you” note after an interview or make a follow-up call after submitting your resume. But social media? Not me. But apparently you can if the company offers this communication tool for you. So keep that in mind — don’t go writing on their wall about an interview, or tweeting them about how much you want the job. Keep in mind the company’s culture and the resources they give you. So maybe I should say, use all of your resources in 2011 instead of follow-up via Facebook. But hey, next time you may want to check their Facebook and see if they have a way for you to talk to their recruiters.
Those are a few ideas to get you started on your “I will get a job in 2011″ New Year’s resolution list. Don’t ever think you’ve done everything you could, there is always something else. And don’t underestimate asking questions that will show you what you are doing wrong. Ask a professional who you have built a relationship with, look for a career counselor, or a mentor in your industry. There’s nothing wrong with improvement, actually, it’s that much better for you.
Happy New Year’s everyone, and may all of your career wishes come true.
