Wednesday, August 7, 2013
While unemployment has been high over the past few years and
competition has grown more challenging, you have the tools to strategically
gain an edge over other job seekers. There are five key areas to focus on
to put you right in the position to edge out the rest:
Key #1: Your Resume: Have you worked on a job or been in a
certain title for years only to confine yourself to that job title; that’s
where restructuring your resume comes into play. You can identify your
current transferable skills and experience you already possess and redesign
your resume to target a new career job or industry. Start connecting your
skills, talents and experience to career options, not “job titles” you are
interested in. If you need help, ASK for it.
Key #2: Your Network: Making contacts and building productive
relationships can be great leads for you in your job search. When you
find yourself downsized or experiencing a job lost or you’re in a position that
you are unfulfilled, reach out to your contacts and let them know you are back
in the job market. Schedule informal meet-ups to keep your pulse on
the industry and to find out if there are any opportunities out there they
are aware of at their own employer or other companies. Start attending
networking events and connecting to people; find out how you can help them and
that keeps you at the top of mind, as opportunities begin to surface.
Key #3: Your Talent: More than ever before, it’s important
to re-evaluate your talents, skills and know-how and determine if any
additional training is necessary to be equipped for a new career. Your
training can come through college courses, certification programs, internships,
even through volunteering in a position you want to test run. There are
many personal assessments available that can help you narrow down what your
skills are, and the characteristics of your personality, resulting in a match
with career jobs that are best suited for you. Check out www.strengthfinders.com as a source to get you started with assessing
what you have to offer.
Key #4: Your Profile: Your professional image is key to
career opportunities and upward mobility especially, if you are currently in an
upper level role and want to be recognized by senior management within the
company. No one is going to see or know about you when you’re sitting
behind your desk. So your first step is to get up from your desk and
become more visible. Be open to learn from a global perspective (the
job marketplace is global; make sure you have a profile setup on www.linkedin.com);
communicate more with senior level colleagues; take a look back at your career
development plan and zone in on those things identified as weaknesses and begin
taking strategic steps to turn them around to be noticeable accomplishments.
Key #5: Your Flexibility: A lack of flexibility
can cost you the very opportunity you seek. You may need to relocate, or
take a lower level job, or take on new responsibilities, but be mindful if
you’re staying in a job or position just for the title or recognition.
Staying power on a job in these economic times can weigh very heavily on your
ability to adapt to change. When you are at a point where you have to make a
decision to change, consider will the change fulfill you and the affects it
will have on your family.
With over 10 years of experience working with big corporations,
small business owners and new entrepreneurs, human resource guru and visionary
Delmar Johnson founded HR Brain for Hire as a trusted and resourceful solution
for first time employers in need of affordable, efficient, and top notch
recruitment, training and HR services. Contact her at
info@delmarjohnson.com and visit online at www.delmarjohnson.com, www.twitter.com/hrbrainforhire and www.facebook.com/delmarjohnsonenterprise
