By Eric Kelly.
Don’t let a fear of change keep you in a job you’re unhappy with. If you’re ready for a new challenge, switching jobs is a smart choice. A new job is an opportunity to gain skills, expand your network, and grow your income. Changing jobs is also intimidating, especially if you’ve held the same role or position for a long time. Worries are normal, but they don’t help your job hunt. In fact, having confidence that you will find just the right job increases your chances of getting hired. Instead of getting mired in self-doubt, use this guide from Jobbinghood, to jump head-first into your job search.
5 Steps to Start Your Job Hunt
1. Update your resume
Update your resume to reflect the skills and experiences you’ve gained at your current position. Consider the style too: If your resume looks dated or unprofessional, hiring managers will toss it out without a glance at the content. To correct this problem before it arises, use 99designs’ tips to help you craft a resume that’s well-formatted and industry-appropriate.
Also, don’t forget to tailor your resume for every position. You don’t have to write a completely new resume each and every time, but you should update your skills, accomplishments, and objectives to match the role you’re applying for.
If you feel that you need to beef up your resume some more, consider adding on to your education section. An online degree is a great way to gain experience, and the flexibility that comes with online degrees is a top benefit. In fact, you can still keep your current job while juggling online courses and job hunting. Your new degree will add value to your resume and will help employers get a sense of what skills you have.
2. Sketch out a cover letter
Your cover letter is just as important as your resume, if not more. It’s an opportunity to say what your resume can’t and to show why you are the right person for the job. Like resumes, it’s important to customize cover letters for each job opening. Rather than writing a new cover letter from scratch, create a template. A good cover letter template lets you input achievements and key phrases that are relevant to the job without rewriting the whole document every time.
3. Practice your interview skills
There’s something uniquely terrifying about sitting in front of a panel of hiring managers and recounting your accomplishments. Thankfully, a little preparation goes a long way to calming any potential interview jitters. First, research questions you’re likely to be asked and questions you should ask during the interview.
Once an interview is scheduled, research the company and brush up on industry news so you speak confidently and knowledgeably during the interview. Don’t forget to bring copies of relevant documents, such as your resume, reference list, and portfolio, to the interview. Even if they’re not needed, it’s good to show hiring managers that you’re prepared.
Don’t discount the importance of self-confidence come interview day. Research has found that confident interviewees are more likely to get hired. One way to exhibit self-confidence is with an authentic smile.
You can achieve a great smile by fixing misaligned teeth with aligners, and there are a few products available so do your research.
4. Update social media
Today’s hiring managers do more than skim your resume. According to Business News Daily, 70 percent of employers review candidates’ social media as part of the hiring process. Rather than hide your profiles entirely, update privacy settings to ensure nothing unprofessional is visible to potential employers.
5. Reconnect with references
You don’t want references to be caught by surprise when a potential employer calls them up. If it’s been a while, Forbes suggests reaching out candidly; own up to the communication gap, and be honest about why you’re getting in touch now. Honesty coupled with a little framework regarding your situation will go a long way towards ensuring your references are all good ones, even if you haven’t maintained a steady flow of conversation.
Change is always a little nerve-wracking, regardless of the situation, but it’s necessary for professional growth. Whether you’re desperate for a change or just want to see what’s out there, these steps will get your job hunt started on the right foot.
Image via Unsplash
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