As the year kicks off, many folks are are getting ready to take the next step in their career, contemplating making themselves more marketable.
The key is to make opportunities come to you instead of the other way around, and there are many ways to do this. Leave the searching to the hide-and-seekers.
Here are three things you can do to find a new job in 2022. Why not start the new year right?
Update your resume
One of the most common mistakes individuals make is using the same resume irrespective of the type of job they apply for. This decreases the chances of getting noticed, as recruiters look for specific keywords related to the job in your resume. If those keywords are not present, it automatically goes into the rejection pile.
Have separate resumes for each job you apply for with accurate keywords. One way to get these keywords is to look for job descriptions on job search websites. If you have a variety of different skills, make sure to only include the ones that are relevant to that specific listing. It may be easiest to have a "primary" resume with EVERYTHING listed on it; then you can copy and paste from there for specific jobs and positions.
Also, your resume should not be more than one to two pages as recruiters have only so much time in a day, and they need to get a picture of who you are within five to ten seconds. And of course, never name it "resume.doc." Save as a PDF, and put your last name in the title of it. You don't want to be resume(56).doc in someone's Downloads folder.
Update your LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn is often the most underrated, although highly productive social network for professionals. It is easy to build a network here, and your ideal job may be waiting for you right on the platform.
The first step in finding your ideal job is having an updated LinkedIn profile. Every keyword gets indexed by Google and is part of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). All job application websites like CareerBuilder, Indeed, Glassdoor, and many others use these keywords to search for candidates like you. So, it is crucial to keep your profile updated.
Start with a professional profile photo, a catchy tagline, and fill out the "About" section. The "About" section is one of the most important parts of your profile, and all the information you put in here gets searched on Google and plays into SEO. So, this is where you can shine and exactly convey what you bring to the table. The "About" section should have three kinds of information: (1) what you do, (2) how you make an impact, and (3) what are your skills and strengths. Also add a "Featured" section showcasing some of your portfolios, which may include websites, publications, interviews, etc.
Then add details to your "Experience" section mentioning the different job positions you have held throughout your career, along with a description of your responsibilities. Since you are not limited to a specific page length, this may be a time to add in extra details or elaborate on responsibilities. Continue adding relevant details to the other remaining sections, including skills, accomplishments, volunteer experiences, and licenses & certifications.
Make sure to get as many recommendations as possible from the people you have already worked with. This is a testimonial of your work. And of course, make sure to reciprocate and share recommendations as well.
Tap into your own network
We spend so much time looking for opportunities and networking with other people in various channels that we ignore the obvious and most powerful way of connecting with people-tapping into our own LinkedIn network. You already have connections and people working at various companies, why not just ask them if they know of any jobs that would fit your profile?
One of the best things about doing this is that you get the inside scoop about jobs that haven't gone public yet, so you already are at an advantage compared to other people looking for the same position.
For example, if your field of interest is sales, then research who in your network is already working in the company you want to apply for and may have information about sales jobs that interest you. This is one of the most powerful ways to stand out from the crowd and apply for a job before someone else. Also, your contact may receive a referral bonus or be willing to write a recommendation for you to their leadership, and this could help bring your resume to the top of the pile for the recruiters.
Use your free time to level up your career (and not just the video game levels). Start with these three simple steps to build your personal brand, they'll take you the extra mile to get the job you deserve.
This guest post was authored by Raj Subrameyer
Raj is a tech career strategist focusing on helping people to land their dream job and become successful leaders. He has given multiple TEDx talks and is a sought-after speaker at various conferences and has been featured in numerous TV news segments, podcasts, and publications. His areas of expertise include career advancement, leadership, motivation, productivity, and entrepreneurship. In his spare time, he loves traveling and enjoying craft beer. You can find more info about how he serves people through his website, www.rajsubra.com.
Ms. Career Girl was started in 2008 to help ambitious young professional women figure out who they are, what they want and how to get it.
