Prepping for the New Year Job Search
December 23, 2013Prepping for the New Year Job Search
Though the holidays are not the best time for finding a job, they are the best time for preparing your job search. You can get a step up on the competition and find a wonderful job opportunity while other job hunters are still trying to work off their turkey. The key is to get prepared, get organized, and get the word out. Here are ten tips to help you start preparing for your new year job hunt.
Email Address
If you don’t already have a professional email address, this is your first step. MSN, Hotmail and Yahoo email addresses are not ideal for job seekers due to their buffer size and throwout issues. Make sure your email is your first initial/last name or first name/last name. An email like texasgirl@gmail.com is not very professional either. Put your professional email on all of your social media sites, applications, and your resume.
Resume
Make sure that your resume is up to date with your work history. It should also include all of your correct contact information. Your resume is a quick look into your experience and education; make sure that it is concise and organized so people will want to read it. Also, be sure to write cover letters that are specific to the job description to which you are applying.
LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn profile should be completely filled out. The more detail you include, the more a potential employer has to look at. This is where you can include the details of your experience that can be helpful in your next job. Be sure to get recommendations from previous employers. Recommendations are very important when finding out about what kind of employee you are.
Expectations
Make sure the specific details of the job descriptions you are looking into are matching your skill set. If the job you want includes a skill that you don’t yet have, you should either look at other opportunities or learn the skill before you go in to interview for it. The holidays are the perfect time to pick up a few new talents.
Advice
Get online and find resources (such as us! [Link]) with advice on interviewing, resume tips, and networking. Any advice could help to prepare you for your job search. There are thousands of resources online that can help you with any specific concerns you might have.
Pitch
Create and prepare the pitch describing yourself. Make sure your 30-second pitch explains what you want a potential employer to know about your skills and experience. Memorize your pitch and make sure you are comfortable saying it with confidence.
Get Your Name Out
The holidays are the best time to network because you can contact anyone from old friends to alumni with a holiday message and mention that you are looking for a job. Be sure that everyone knows you are looking for a job so that your name will come up the next time they need to fill a position. However, if you are currently still working with a company, avoid posting on social media or telling people who could get the information back to your supervisor.
Network
Go to at least one face-to-face networking event a week. You can use Google or your daily newspaper to find them. Make sure to leave your resume at home but bring some business cards and start talking. Get comfortable starting conversations and just talk about the event and the other person, taking interest in what they have to say. If it’s appropriate, within a couple of minutes, describe your own situation. Include previous experience and that you are looking for a new opportunity.
Outfit
Get your new year interview outfit ready. The holidays are the perfect time to get (or ask for) something new and professional to wear to an interview. Make sure the outfit is clean and appropriate. Get an outfit that you will feel comfortable in so that you can go to your interview with confidence.
Attitude
Take some time this holiday to focus on gaining a brighter outlook. Though job searching can be tough and sometimes disheartening, the best thing you can do is keep going. If you maintain a bright outlook, those interviewing you will pick up on that sunny personality and you will be more likely to be hired.
For more tips on how to make this new year your best job search yet, visit our website[LINK]. If you need help finding a position, let us lend you a hand! Visit our list of job openings[LINK] today.