Job Search Resolutions for 2022
5 tips for accelerating your career in the coming year!
It’s that time of the year again - time for us to sit down, reflect on the year past, and look forward to the new year as we set our New Year’s resolutions. Maybe for you that means working out more, cooking at home, or spending more time with your family, but for many, amidst “The Great Resignation,” resolutions this year include finding a new job or changing your career path. Below, find a few action items to give yourself a jump-start on taking control of your career in the new year!
Start by compiling a list of goals and priorities you have for your next role.
The first step towards understanding what your next role might look like is to practice introspection and self-reflection. Take some time to think about the pros and cons of your current role or past roles - what did you enjoy doing, what did you feel you were missing, where do you want to be challenged towards growth? In addition to the job responsibilities, consider the compensation and benefits; what do you value? Location? Schedule flexibility or a hybrid/remote work setting? Insurance or salary? As you start to wade through job listings and applications, pay attention to the line items that matter most to you.
Get your personal branding tools in order.
Before you start completing applications, make sure you have your personal branding tools current. This includes your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and if you’re in a more creative field, your portfolio or writing samples too! For many of us, we let these documents fall by the wayside if we are happy and comfortable with our roles, but it’s important to ensure we’ve added our most recent role as well as any key achievements we’ve accomplished since the last update. If you’re considering changing your functional area or industry, this is also a great time to make sure your branding tools reflect where you want to go rather than where you’ve been - highlight those accomplishments that may be transferable to your next role in a new field!
Engage in professional development.
Professional development can show up in a variety of ways in your New Year's resolution. It can be as simple as setting a goal for yourself to complete a certain amount of minutes each week of LinkedIn Learning videos or can be as involved as enrolling in a professional certification course to add a new line item to your resume and make yourself stand out. No matter what professional development looks like for you, it is important to keep growing and learning to stay current, stay relevant, and set yourself apart from other candidates as you apply for your next job.
Network.
Networking is one of the most important steps of the job search process. Send your resume to family, friends, former co-workers, and people in your industry that you trust - the more people that know you’re searching for the next role, the more opportunities may come your way, whether that’s referral or just keeping an eye out for a position you might be a good fit for. Join and post in industry-specific LinkedIn Groups, reach out to the hiring managers for positions you apply for, and connect with recruiters. Job seeking can be a heavy lift, but there are many resources to leverage to help you passively enhance your job search.
Prepare for the interview.
Once you’ve completed the prior action items, the interviews should start coming your way. To prepare, make sure you know the job descriptions like the back of your hand, have a deep understanding of how your experience applies to the role, and come ready to dialogue with your interviewer about the job and how you’ll fit in. Think through how you’ll answer common interview questions, create your bank of questions for the interviewer, and rehearse your elevator pitch. Confidence grows with practice!
Ready to make the first step towards a more rewarding 2022? Whether it’s your branding tools, interview preparation, career path exploration, or all of the above, we have a package to suit your needs and set you out on the right foot with support every step of the way. Contact Bee Defined Consulting today to schedule your free consultation!