I got the job! The start of a new year is an ideal time to
look for a new job – you're fresh with enthusiasm from
making New Year's resolutions and you're ready to make
changes to improve your life. If you're in a lackluster job
that just isn't doing it for you, or you're still looking
for a job, seize this opportunity to focus more clearly on
where you'd like to head career-wise this year and extricate
yourself from the old ways. In this article you'll learn a
few ways in which you can resolve to get a better job this
year.
!! Steps !!
Think and stay positive [1] about your abilities and the available
jobs. While the economic times are still low, your worth shouldn't
be; you're a valuable asset to any company and this is how you need
to think about yourself. Whatever the doldrums in the economy, there
are still jobs to be had for the right person in your field, and
this year it's going to be you. If you've been hunting around for a
time, use the vibe of New Year [2] to reinvigorate your search and
to get back into the swing of searching further afield with
eagerness. It is important to keep in mind that your attitude and
posture will impact the way that a potential employer feels about
you, so if you're not feeling positive, this will come across in the
interview.
* Do things that maintain your confidence [3]. Volunteer part-time
in a place that appreciates your skills. The gratitude and the
feedback will help to maintain your morale and the volunteering
can continue to show your interest in what you're doing, as well
as your continued updated experience.
* If you're feeling low after a period of searching and not getting
far, this is a good time to regroup and think about ways to
bolster your confidence. If you're concerned that you may be
suffering from a very low dip in self-esteem [4], consider talking
to your doctor or therapist about options to overcome this fallen
resilience. If you're just feeling flat, use this time to spruce
up your image by getting a new haircut, buying something new to
wear to interviews, or changing something about your clothes,
fashion style, or makeup that represents the slightly older,
slightly wiser you this year.
Look back over your previous job-hunting effectiveness for the
past year. If you've been job-hunting for a while, this may
suggest that it's time to reassess your approach and to inject new
strategies into your job-hunting. Even if you haven't been looking
until spurred by a New Year's resolution, the following tips are a
good steer:
* Think about unsuccessful applications and interviews. Try to
pinpoint what you did or didn't do that probably lost you the
opportunity and a make a decision to remedy that part of your
job-hunting.
Go through your CV [5]. Look at how to improve it and how to
represent yourself in a stronger light. What areas are you
underselling yourself in? Just as some people exaggerate their
values, quite a few more people make the opposite mistake of
downplaying their skills and accomplishments. Think about what you
have done so far and look for _transferable_ skills and experiences
that you can offer a new employer – this will help you to step out
of the rut of staying within your same job type and will open up
many more job possibilities. Stick to the truth, use concrete
examples to back up your transferable skills and move yourself
beyond your current or previous job description.
* Have someone else read through your CV to pick up on mistakes and
to check that it is making sense in the most concise way possible.
If possible, have someone familiar with the industry you're aiming
at working in read through your CV to see if it would make their
radar pick up. It is important not to be defensive about needing
help from other people to prepare yourself as best as possible for
the job market; find people you can trust and who resonate with
you and you'll receive invaluable guidance.
Consider whether you need to brush up your professional or technical
skills. This might be a great time of year to enroll in courses that
build on or extend your existing knowledge, as a way to improve your
job prospects. If you're already working, look for courses offered
within your organization. If not, there are many opportunities
offered through community colleges [6], night classes, and other
courses that can boost your existing skills, whether or not you have
college degrees. Sometimes it's the smaller but more specific skills
that can set you apart from the other equally qualified people
seeking the same job, and if having an up-to-date first aid
certificate or computing skill can boost your chances, then give the
course some consideration.
Start looking for suitable positions. The broader your potential job
pool, the better chances you'll have at finding a new job this new
year. Don't be shy at selecting as many relevant jobs [7] as
possible that match your skill set and are realistically doable for
you.
* Think beyond where you live. While this might be a scary thought
initially, if you are prepared to relocate [8] from where you
currently live, you widen the potential job pool even more,
especially if you're prepared to move to a place that is a hub for
the skills you've got.[1] [9] Even overseas might prove a
promising option if you're keen and able to move this far.
* Network [10] more. Networking is important for finding new jobs,
and people are more inclined to feel positively about someone
they've met and connected with positively than only knowing a
cover letter and CV. Don't overdo the job hunting around them
though; simply be positive, interesting and interested in them,
and try to keep in touch with them after meeting.
* Take great care with your cover letter [11]. One-size-fits-all
cover letters are the least likely to get you the job; personalize
the cover letter to the job in question every single time. Make
sure the cover letter is addressed to the person who will be
reading it, clearly point out how you meet the requirements
outlined in the job description and keep it short (about 3 to 4
paragraphs).[2] [12] Read How to write a cover letter [13] for
more details.
Prepare well for interviews [14]. Common interview mistakes include
dressing down, not knowing much (or anything!) about the place you'd
like to work for, and poor interview mannerisms. If you have
problems with interviews, it is possible to get coaching but if
that's not an affordable option, at least read as much as possible
about interview techniques [15], and even better, have a friend or
family member role play interview situations with your, using a
range of normal to tricky questions. This will help to build your
confidence, as well as getting you habituated to being interviewed
and answering questions quickly but well.
* Anticipate the key questions such as telling the interviewer your
strengths and weaknesses [16], what you bring to the job, what
interests you about the company and position, your willingness to
work extra hours/travel/relocate, the ways in which your previous
experience is relevant, and being asked if you have any questions.
For some industries and jobs, it is also important to have a
realistic but fair idea of what salary you believe is appropriate.
* Read How to prepare for interview questions thoroughly [17], How
to perform well in interviews [18], and How to limit your mistakes
during a job interview [19] for suggestions on interview
preparation.
Be patient [20]. While this is your New Year's resolution, changing
or getting a new job can take time and much of the year may pass
before you find a new job. Provided you're expecting it to take
time, you're less likely to fret and more likely to persist, which
is important in ensuring that you don't lose sight of what you
really want from your resolution to get a new job.
* Plan a timeline. While you're still feeling enthusiastic and full
of renewed vigor about the New Year, making a plan for the coming
year's job search is useful because it can determine your goals
for job-hunting this year and it will serve as a reminder of where
you're headed should you find yourself feeling off course later
during the year.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* Keep learning. Your job prospects will increase when you can
demonstrate that you're up-to-date and aware of all current
developments within your industry and the broader context that
relates to what you do.
* Remember to always follow up interviews with a thank you letter.
This provides potential employers with another opportunity to be
reminded of you and is demonstrative of your ability to reach out
and show that you care about other people and their time.
!! Things You'll Need !!
* Updated CV
* Good cover letters
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Train Someone to Do Your Job [21]
* How to Find a Job if You Have a Disability [22]
* How to Get a Job for Which You Are Not Really Qualified [23]
* How to Choose a Suitable Job Position [24]
* How to Research the Company Before Your Job Interview [25]
!! Sources And Citations !!
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
Links:
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[1] http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Positive
[2] http://www.wikihow.com/Start-the-New-Year-Right
[3] http://www.wikihow.com/Create-Absolute-Confidence
[4] http://www.wikihow.com/Increase-Self-Esteem
[5] http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-CV-Sound-More-Impressive
[6] http://www.wikihow.com/Get-an-Affordable-College-Education
[7] http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Job
[8] http://www.wikihow.com/Negotiate-a-Job-Offer-That-Involves-Relocation
[9] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-0
[10] http://www.wikihow.com/Network
[11] http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Cover-Letter
[12] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-1
[13] http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Cover-Letter
[14] http://www.wikihow.com/Answer-Tough-Questions-in-an-Interview
[15] http://www.wikihow.com/Answer-Interview-Questions-About-Negative-Information
[16] http://www.wikihow.com/Communicate-Your-Weaknesses
[17] http://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-Interview-Questions-Thoroughly
[18] http://www.wikihow.com/Perform-Well-in-Interviews
[19] http://www.wikihow.com/Limit-Your-Mistakes-During-a-Job-Interview
[20] http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Patient
[21] http://www.wikihow.com/Train-Someone-to-Do-Your-Job
[22] http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Job-if-You-Have-a-Disability
[23] http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Job-for-Which-You-Are-Not-Really-Qualified
[24] http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Suitable-Job-Position
[25] http://www.wikihow.com/Research-the-Company-Before-Your-Job-Interview
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