Whether or not your job is secure, it helps to always be on the hunt for something better. You never know when your current job may be pulled out like a rug from under you, so having other work in the pipeline is like having employment insurance.
If you’re needing a job or just want to go back on the hunt, here’s what you’ll need to do:
Build Your Résumé
Building a résumé is a personal experience. Your résumé needs to stand out, but not be so garish to go immediately to the round file. The best résumé I’ve seen is an elegant, minimalist document that gets right to the point and doesn’t try to “wow” with fancy styling.
Making your résumé inviting and easy-to-read should be your first goal. Don’t try to pack it with overly broad claims. Instead, use simple, direct phrases that get right to the point. Keep your sentences short and remove the fluff.
Most resources suggest drafting your résumé as a Word document. Many HR departments and online job markets have tools that can convert your Word document into a search-able text file, but it can only do so much on its own. By avoiding the temptation to heavily style your résumé, you make it easier for these programs to parse your resume and ultimately make it easier for potential employers to find you.
Once you’ve finished your résumé, post it on all the major job search engines: Monster.com, Beyond.com, CareerBuilder.com, Dice.com, and more.
Here are some resources to help you build your résumé:
- How to write a résumé that gets job interviews.
- 100+ Free Résumé Templates & Samples To Help You Land Your Next Job
Build Your Network
Your “network” is one of your most powerful tools in your job search. The people that you know through various organizations are often your best resource when finding a job or getting recommendations. After losing my first job out of college, I turned to a few professionals I knew through church to help find a new job.
Keep your ears open when you’re with your friends and associates to hear if there’s anything going on that you want to be a part of.
- LinkedIn – A professional networking site designed specifically for connecting you with previous (and future) colleagues. By building a strong profile on LinkedIn, you make yourself more available to those who may be searching for you.
- Facebook – Many stories have been told about people who ruin their reputations and careers by posting things on Facebook that get back to them. But it’s also a powerful tool to connect to friends and former fellow students and find a job through them.
- Twitter – It’s an unconventional means to find a job, but it’s happening more often with the site’s growing popularity. You can search for people who are talking about companies you want to join and introduce yourself.
Get Your Name Out There
If you want a job, you need to let people know you’re searching. Tell everyone who cares that your’e searching and ask that they keep their ears open as well and ask for positive recommendations.
Passively searching in this economy isn’t likely to net you the job of your dreams. You’re going to have to go out and get it yourself. Keep up an active search and you’ll likely find what you’re looking for.
Good luck!
Photo by: star5112
{ 3 trackbacks }
{ 0 comments… add one now }