Land Your Dream Job in 2018

Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”.

One of the most helpful things you can do is to start polishing your search methods as soon as possible so that you can dive into the 2018 job listings with a rejuvenated attitude. At Professional Résumé Services, we have compiled an assortment of helpful questions to ask when job hunting and writing a professional résumé to start your new job search.

What Do You Want the Most?

If you aren’t yet sure what type of job you’re looking for, your search will only prove to be complicated and confusing. Try to think about the job that best suits you or your best talents and how they fit into the job market. What job title and responsibilities are you interested in? Do you want to work independently, as part of a team, or both? Do you like short-term projects or long-term projects? Who would you report to? Who would report to you? Think about why you’re searching for a new career. Consider whether you want to change who you work for or what your work is entirely. Evaluate everything about your work experiences and desires thus far, including the benefits and disadvantages of your present job and what you want from a future job. Then you can begin to take the next step forward. 

Is Your Résumé Current?

While ideally your résumé is customized for a specific job, having an up-to-date résumé targeted for a specific “type” of position is the next best thing. So if you’ve taken on additional responsibilities in your current job, or you’ve changed your job target, or you’ve added new training or educational credentials, now is the time to talk with your résumé writer about updating your résumé. (And if you don’t have a résumé at all, now is definitely the time to put one together! A professional résumé writer can help!)

Do I Need a LinkedIn Profile?

If you don’t already have a profile in LinkedIn, it’s a good idea to create one. A LinkedIn profile doesn’t replace the résumé…it complements it. LinkedIn is a valuable tool when it comes to job searching and can put you in contact with recruiters from companies across the country. Or, someone in your network might be interested in recommending you, and forward your LinkedIn profile URL.  Whether you’re setting up your profile for the first time or need to revamp it, it always helps to get as specific as possible. Tag your profile with keywords pertaining to the industry you want to work in. This helps recruiters locate you, meaning they can see what you can offer their companies. Yes, this is something your résumé writer can help you with.

Landing a great job is not an easy task, but these steps should help you get started on the right path.

ERIN KENNEDY

How Much Does This Type of Job Pay?

Know what you’re worth: conduct salary research. One of the most often-cited reasons to consider a job search is to increase your salary. But how do you know what you’re worth? There is more salary research data available than ever before. Websites like Glassdoor.com and Salary.com can help you see how your current salary and benefits package stacks up.

How do I Build my Network?

It’s estimated that 70-80% of jobs are found through networking. Networking effectiveness is not just about quality — although that’s important. It’s also about quantity. It’s not just about who you know. It’s about who your contacts know. Many times, it’s the friend-of-a-friend who can help you land your dream job. Grow your network both professionally and personally. You never know who will be the one to introduce you to your next job opportunity.

Do Employers Really Research Me Online?

YES!!  More and more hiring managers are checking you out online before they interview you. What will they find when they type your name into Google? How about if they check out your Twitter profile? Or find you on Facebook? Now is the time to conduct a social media assessment and clean up your online profiles.

Who Do I Want to Work For (Dream Companies)?

Getting acquainted with individuals who are already working for the same company you want to work for will only serve to help your cause. Get to know as many people aligned with the company as possible. This will help you get your foot in the door with recruiters because you’ll have a larger number of people able and willing to put in good word for you.

Landing a great job is not an easy task, but these steps should help you get started on the right path. If you need a little extra help with any of these steps, consider enlisting the help of a professional résumé writing service or a job counselor. As one of the top résumé writing services around, our team at Professional Résumé Services wants to see you succeed.

 

Want new articles before they get published? Subscribe to our Awesome Newsletter.

CAREER ADVICE

Advice from top Career specialists

GOV TALK

Articles about the Public Sector

TRENDS

Public Sector Trends
Accessibility

Pin It on Pinterest