Now is the time to begin preparing for your job search in the new year. Proactively updating your resume and researching industries helps determine which role might be right for you.
Partnering with a specialized recruitment firm can help you secure a job faster than searching independently. You can access top employers, interview for unadvertised opportunities, and potentially land a new role.
These three methods can help you prepare for your job search in the new year.
Update Your Resume
Keeping your resume current helps align your education, skills, experiences, and accomplishments with the requirements listed in the job posting. Demonstrating your qualifications increases the odds of being contacted for an interview.
- Contact information: Ensure your phone number and email address are current so hiring managers can reach you for interviews.
- Summary: Write a new summary of your skills, experience, achievements, awards, and certifications that align with the qualifications listed in the job description.
- Keywords: Include keywords from the job posting and industry to help your resume get past an applicant tracking system (ATS) and to the hiring manager.
- Education: Share your most recent education, including industry certifications.
- Skills: Include skills relevant to the role.
- Experience: Bullet your relevant job responsibilities and achievements to show your experience matches the role. Include a strong verb and concise wording to demonstrate your organizational impact.
Research Industries
Learn about the latest industry news, trends, and best practices. Also, focus on the job market, in-demand skills, and employer expectations. These factors impact which companies and roles interest you.
- Use the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Learn about anticipated job growth to determine whether to apply for a role or find another career path.
- Read about the industry: Social media, trade magazines, and books can provide industry insight.
- Learn about industry employers: Focus on company size, culture, growth potential, management style, policies, sales, profit, reputation, and recent news.
- Discover the educational requirements: Workshops and certification programs could benefit your job search.
Network
Build relationships with industry professionals you want to work with. For instance, set up informational interviews with employees in your desired roles and companies. Ask questions about the job duties and responsibilities, company culture, and other topics to determine whether to apply for a position.
- Strengthen your LinkedIn presence: Ensure your profile accurately reflects your goals, education, skills, experience, accomplishments, awards, and other relevant details. Connect with other industry professionals, including hiring managers, recruiters, human resources professionals, and other decision-makers. Create, share, and comment on industry content. Participate in Groups to show you are a thought leader.
- Engage in industry events: Seminars, workshops, and conferences provide networking opportunities.
- Work with a recruitment firm: Talk with a recruiter specializing in your industry. Discuss your career goals, job search objectives, and other relevant details. A recruiter can match you with job opportunities, provide guidance and support throughout the hiring process, and negotiate any job offers on your behalf.
Looking for Scientific or Technical Roles?
Give yourself a head start on your job search by exploring the open positions that Element Staffing’s team has to offer.
