Looking for a job? Your Time is Now

Is there ever a good time to look for new employment? What if the answer is “yes”? That’s right, your time is now! Isn’t that what all the commercials and people on social media are saying? Shouldn’t you be looking for a job if you are not employed or if you are not happy in your current job?

The decision is yours, but you knew that, of course. So, instead of listing motivational mumbo-jumbo to get you pointed in the right direction, I have provided a list of how to start a job search. Plain and simple, straightforward advice—but you are tasked with implementing it. Can you do that?

Before starting your job search and applying to jobs:

Think about what you want in a job

Identify what you are looking for in new employment. Be specific: is it more money, stability, easy commute, flexible working hours, title, upward mobility, etc.? There can be multiple answers, but rank them by what is most important to you. If you don’t know what you are looking for in a new job, how will you know you’re making the right decision when accepting an offer? Do the soul searching now to best target your dream job, not just any job.

Create a resume

Create a resume or update an existing one. You don’t need to be an English major to put together a resume, but you do need some common sense and sound advice. If you don’t know where to start, refer to our previous posts for specifics on how to create an EDI/IT resume. Ask a trustworthy professional in the same field to review your resume for content, spelling and grammar. Also, realize your resume is never complete—having multiple versions targeting different skills or job responsibilities is recommended.

Embrace social media

Start to build a positive social media presence. Regardless if you are tech-savvy or not, social media is here to stay…so you better get on board! Create profiles on multiple social media networks that positively highlight your professionalism, polish and eligibility for new employment. Although the word “social” is there, keep it professional. A potential employer will search for you on the web, so always keep it classy.

Network

Identify trusted resources and attend networking events. You’ll want to put together a strong reference list of supervisors, managers, and at least one co-worker. Also, consider seeking out a reputable staffing agency to assist you with your job search. Additionally, be sure to join professional organizations and groups in your industry.

Get organized

This final step is the most daunting. Any free time you thought you have will be directed towards your job search—if you are up for the challenge, that is! Because of this, staying organized is key. No matter how you document it, make note of every job you apply to, every contact you make and don’t duplicate any job search efforts. This will save you time and sanity.

Starting off a job search can be overwhelming, but it’s not impossible. Take a deep breath and start your job search or enhance your job search with the tips listed above.

What would you add to this list?