The Holidays Are Over

By Jackie La Chance @jackielachance

The holidays are over, a new year is here, time for a fresh start!  If you are carrying a job search into the New Year, why not make some job search resolutions?  Here are a few tips to revive your energy and confidence so you can hit the ground running in 2012.

1.  Plain Vanilla Ain’t Gonna Cut it!
In starting fresh, you might want to take a look at your resume and reflect on how you can better stand out.  Change the format, font, or objective.  Get creative.  It can help you reevaluate what you want employers to know about you and help you think of more ways to sell yourself.

2.  Please Step Away from the Computer
Get off the job boards, step out from behind your computer screen, and get in front of people.  Research professional organizations related to your field and start networking.  Make new business cards and have them ready to go along with your personal, “30 second commercial.”  Practice delivering your 30 second commercial (even in front of a mirror) so that you are fluent with it.  You never know who you are going to meet and what you might learn that could generate a job lead.

3.  In-mail, message, and tweet!
Use social media to make new connections.  Share valuable information, comment on blogs, write a blog and start stimulating conversation pertaining to your industry.  You never know who you are going to reach and engage.  Maybe a hiring manager or recruiter will see your genius and just have to have you!

4.  Fill the gaps
Stay active, take a position on the board of a professional association, arrange to be a speaker at an event, stay current on industry news and blog or tweet about it.  All of these things will show employers that you are still in the game and will fill gaps between positions on your resume.  

5.  Stay positive
By remaining positive throughout the job search process, you will better your chances of success.  Not only will you feel better about yourself and portray confidence, but potential employers can see your enthusiasm and ability to keep on keepin’ on in a tough situation.  If you come off as a Debbie (or Donald) Downer, they might perceive that you are not excited about your career.  Look at the bright side and persevere.

Now that you have an innovative fresh outlook on your job search, hit the pavement and put these tips to the test!  Make your own luck and make it a Happy New Year!

TimelyText focuses 100% on providing technology companies with the best technical or marketing writers, editors, instructional designers, and project managers of corporate communications projects.