As we approach the new year, it’s the season for making resolutions. And for millions of Americans, their goal for 2021 is to get a new job. We thought we could assist in your job search by helping you craft resolutions for landing the next step in your career. Here are five resolutions to jump start your job search in the new year:
1. Don’t blindly submit your resume to any and every job
If there is one thing that you need to change in 2021, it’s this. Stop blindly submitting your resume to every job that comes up in your search. This is not doing you any favors! In fact, it could actually be the thing keeping you from landing your next job. In a competitive job market, you must tailor your resume to every job opening to which you apply. Carefully curate a list of jobs that align with your professional goals, qualifications, and culture fit. Then, comb through the description to spot keywords and requirements that match your experience. Use these relative terms to craft a custom resume for each position, and you’ll have a better chance of standing out amongst the competition during your job search.
2. Don’t ghost companies or recruiters
You might think that just because millions of people are unemployed across the country, candidates aren’t ghosting companies or recruiters. But, this is simply not the case. People ghost potential employers for a variety of reasons. Maybe they decided the company wasn’t a great fit, or perhaps they were lucky enough to score another position. No matter the reason, you must add “don’t ghost” to your new year’s resolutions.
3. Build a professional portfolio
In a competitive market, you need to do everything possible to set yourself apart from other applicants. One of our favorite modern ways to do this is via a virtual professional portfolio. No matter what field you specialize in, a portfolio is a perfect way to showcase your talents. You can add some basic things: your resume, cover letter, career objective, links to examples of your work, and your contact details. This can include projects, press releases, blogs, images, spreadsheets, reports, and other works. Learn more about building a professional portfolio here.
4. Grow my professional network
This new year’s job search resolution is arguably the easiest, and you can start right now. Start a search on LinkedIn for other professionals in your field. Send each person a customized invitation to connect, and voila – you’re growing your professional network! If you are looking for more networking tips on LinkedIn, check out this blog.
5. Ask for help when you need it
It can be challenging to be vulnerable. However, it can be one of the most lucrative paths to a new job. Create a post on LinkedIn sharing that you’re looking for work. Let family and friends know about your job search, and even send them a copy of your resume in case they have any contacts to connect you with. Finally, consider partnering with a recruiting firm for your job search. We have connections with thousands of companies throughout North America. We specialize in coordinating relocations, navigating negotiations, and have insider info on the best opportunities on the market.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, give us a call. In the meantime, explore our candidate resources and start committing to your job search resolutions for 2021.
