At the beginning of every new year, most people celebrate by making resolutions for the upcoming year ranging from losing weight, to traveling to a new country, to setting career goals. People generally pursue their resolutions during the month of January, but are lucky if they get beyond that. Anyone who works out regularly has seen what I call the “Resolutioners” fill the gym following New Year’s, but come February they disappear, falling through on their goals. It is unfortunate, but there is a common reason why people fail: they don’t set specific, tangible goals. For example, instead of making your goal to “lose weight”, make it to lose five pounds each month. Below are 5 New Year’s resolutions that job seekers should consider to help them find a job in 2012.
This year, MY New Year’s Resolution is to:
1. Proofread all cover letters, messages, emails, applications, and resumes I send to employers, before I send them.
Proofreading is an easy thing to do and does not take much effort, but is still a step many job seekers miss. Keep in mind that multiple sets of eyes are also beneficial. Have a friend or family member also proofread your application materials to ensure you did not overlook something. Having a spelling or grammar error is one of the fastest ways to be eliminated from the hiring process.
2. Attend X number of networking events.
Networking is essential for both landing a job and developing professional relationships. You never know when you will meet someone who can point you in the right direction. There are tons of organizations that host events, so sit down and identify ones that interest you. Then mark your calendar and register for the event so you don’t have an excuse not to attend. If you have never been to a networking event and are uncomfortable going alone, bring a friend who has similar interests. It is up to you how many events you attend, but at a minimum try to find at least one every quarter (three months).
3. Be specific.
Be specific about everything, from the content in your resume to the jobs you apply for. The old “spray and pray” technique does not work. Don’t apply for hundreds of random jobs that barely interest you. You are wasting your time, not to mention the companies’ time. Find positions you are a good fit for and are actually interested in obtaining.
When it comes to your resume, don’t be vague and say something like, “Managed people”; instead be specific and say, “Managed a team of 8 recruiters”. It adds credibility and gives employers a better picture of your past experiences.
4. Be a professional.
This means you should dress the part, have an appropriate voicemail message and email address, and consider carrying personal business cards. Companies want to hire quality people, so it is important to never give the impression that you are anything less than a professional who is willing to do what it takes to get the job done.
5. Be better prepared for interviews.
Researching a company is essential to getting a job. During an interview you should be able to talk about specific ideas you have for the company and ask questions specific to the organization. This shows you have an invested interest in the company and took the extra time to understand recent successes and struggles within the organization. Also, have questions to ask at the end of the interview, but do not bring up salary unless the employer does first. You should have a minimum of five questions to ask.
This New Year, try new things and be specific about what you want to achieve. It is important to persevere and not give up. Make your resolutions, write them down, and check back to see the progress you have made.
Happy New Year from all of us at hiredMYway.com! Any other resolutions you have this year?
You may also like:
- 50 Proven Job Search Tips for Serious Job Seekers
- 7 Quick and Easy Recruiting Tips for the New Year
- Holiday Wishlist for Job Seekers
- Social Media Has Value – For Employers and Job Seekers
- Make Every Day a Holiday, Part 2
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post Kasey! I will definitely use these tips while fulfilling my New Years resolution to get hired.
Great post! Lot’s of wonderful and useful information!
These are some quality bits of information. I’ll be sure to live up to some of them, especially the business card portion.
Great advice for the job-seeker, Kasey. As someone involved in the hiring process, it is always a bonus when the potential employee is prepared with questions. Good work!
Well done! Very impressive, I should give this out to my candidates. I love the proofreading part. We always see errors in recruiting. I don’t think cover letters are necessary anymore though, I always throw them out.