What are your career resolutions for the New Year?
The New Year is quickly approaching and certainly this is the time that we all establish those resolutions – you know, your commitment to yourself for self improvement or something else that you vow to accomplish. Many of us commit to developing a career plan – ‘a roadmap’ as I call it to identify and secure a new professional position. Here are my Top Tips for a productive and positive search into 2010:
Manage your applications: I realize that it can be a bit time consuming to write down all the names of the companies and people to whom you have sent your resume; but I can assure you, you will thank me for keeping the list. It will enable you to follow up accordingly and not lose sight of your goal. We all have a lot of things going on; it can be easy to forget which positions you applied for and which recruiters you spoke to. The list will keep you focused and on top of your game.
Make sure you send a resume and cover letter: These two documents work together to generate interest in your background. Both documents should match – the heading on the resume should be the same as the heading on the cover letter with the same font style, size, and margins. Read your documents carefully and employ the help of a professional if you are not selling yourself effectively. These are marketing tools and the only ones you have to help you get your foot in the door. To even get near the door, you need to ensure that the shoes you are wearing shine like a new penny. No grammatical or spelling errors allowed.
Review the job description and the company: The best way to be prepared during the search process is to have a strong understanding of the position and the company. You should do research regarding the company’s values and mission. When applying you can tie some of that information into your resume and cover letter to help form a strong connection between what you offer and what the company seeks. During the interview, your knowledge will send the message that you have taken the time to make sure the fit is right and you are serious about the role.
Keep a positive attitude and presentation: Even if you hated your last company and your former boss this should never be referenced during the search process (or ever, in my book). Let bygones be bygones. A positive attitude goes a very long way. You don’t want to be (or be perceived) as negative. At one point, you joined your former company; there were probably some good things about the experience to draw from. FIND THEM. When it’s referenced, you should always be prepared to say something positive, even if the overall experience wasn’t the best.
Be on time: Leave yourself an extra 15-20 minutes to get to the interview. There is nothing worse than arriving just in the nick of time for the interview. This will leave you feeling harried and disorganized. You should have enough time to sit in the reception area (and chat with the receptionist) for at least 5-10 minutes before your scheduled interview. You will be relaxed and prepared with copies of your resume.
Listen to the voice inside you: Instinct plays a role in everything. If you get a strong feeling from the company and interviewer great! You will leave the interviewing on a positive note. Follow up accordingly to increase your changes of a second round. In some situations you might get that uneasy sense. Pay attention to your gut. If you are not ‘feeling the love’, the position might not be the right one for you. Of course, you should always follow up. You never know when you might cross paths with the interviewer again. You want to be happy in a new role. If you feel that the position is not the best fit, keep looking.
Each new day holds new things. Look to the future with a happy and positive approach. Your job search will be that much more successful, and you will benefit from a happy mental attitude.
Comments and feedback are requested and desired; and you are welcome and encouraged to submit questions to thecareerdoctor.
Debra Wheatman, CPRW, CPCC is the founder and Chief Career Strategist of ResumesDoneWrite, a premier career services provider focused on developing highly personalized career roadmaps for senior leaders and executives across all verticals and industries.
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