So, you keep hearing how great the job market is. The unemployment rate has consistently been below 4 percent all year, and we are now on our 105th consecutive month of jobs gains. In other words, it is tempting to take advantage of this hot market and see what other opportunities are out there. But where do you even start? If you’ve decided to explore some new opportunities, here are a few tips for setting your job search up for success.
Update your resume
To kick off your job search, the first thing you will want to do is ensure your resume is up to date. From top to bottom, give your resume a careful review and note anything that needs to be updated. Double-check that your contact information at the top of your resume is correct and add any new achievements or employers. Keep in mind that you should be tailoring your resume to each job that you apply for.
To get the most bang for your buck, carefully review the job description and customize your resume to match it. Pull specific achievements and duties from your positions to illustrate that your background makes you qualified (and capable) of performing the job.
Ensure your LinkedIn is ready to roll
Once your resume is good to go, jump on your LinkedIn profile and give it a good scrub. Add a new, professional headshot if yours is out of date. The first thing a recruiter or HR professional will see is your profile picture, so confirm it’s a good representation of you. Like your resume, make sure you have all your work history and achievements up to date.
Once your profile is looking sharp, be sure to head to your settings and update the feature “Let recruiters know you’re open?” Essentially, this setting allows your profile to be shown in searches of recruiters as they search for prospective candidates on LinkedIn. By having this feature on, you are signaling that you’re open to hearing about new job opportunities, and thus, increase your odds of recruiters reaching out to you.
Gather up your reference list
Now that your resume and LinkedIn profile are good to go, it’s time to gather up that reference list. If you’re serious about pursuing a new position, it’s always good to have an updated reference list. To do so, ask permission from those you decided to trust with the future of your career. That exciting new job opportunity could very well be in the hands of a reference you listed. Therefore, ensure that your references are okay with you listing them as a trusted source for a recommendation. Verify that their contact details are correct and they are aware you are looking for a new opportunity.
However, never submit your references with your resume, especially if one of your references is a current co-worker. The last thing you want to do is let your employer know you’re on the move. Because guess what? If you don’t receive that job opportunity and your boss finds out you’re looking, you may be out of a job entirely.
Reach out to a recruiter
If you truly want to elevate your job search, why not partner up with a recruiter? Our recruiting teams here at Johnson Service Group are industry experts. We can help match your skillsets with a great job opportunity. Whether you’re a mechanical engineer or an I&E technician, we have hundreds of job openings available. If you are serious about finding the next step in your career, reach out to us today and let’s work together to find the position you’ve been looking for!
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