The best time to apply for a new job is just around the corner. Do you realize that studies have shown Jan through April as the best time of year to apply for a job? Many companies' budgets coincide with the calendar year, so they have more hiring funds at the beginning of their business year, which, for many, is in Winter and early Spring.
The hiring process can take several weeks or months. The company posts the job announcement, reviews the resumes, and selects the candidates to interview. After often two or three interviews, they will prepare the offer letter and schedule the onboarding.
If your New Year's resolution for 2021 will be to find a new job, now is the time to prepare. But what can you do now? Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Self-reflection
If you are not happy with the type of work you are currently doing, maybe you need to revisit your goals. You may have skills that are transferable to another occupation more suited to you.
Sometimes assessments can help you determine careers that are a fit for your personality. The O*NET Interest Profiler assessment is a free tool based on your interests to help you choose the type of career you may want to consider.
Career Plan
Now is an excellent time to review and update your career plan. If you don't have a career plan and are struggling, perhaps spending some time developing a career plan would be a wise investment.
The time spent determining your ideal career and setting goals with actionable steps gives your job search direction and purpose.
Research
Researching companies where you think you might like to work can help prepare you for the job search. Visit company websites and social media sites to learn about projects and work performed at each company and which ones match your interests.
Develop a list of companies that interest you. Do you know anyone employed there? If so, ask them about the company culture, type of positions, and benefits.
Résumé
Hopefully, you keep your résumé up to date with your accomplishments. If not, update it without further delay. You will still need to tailor it to any specific job that you apply for later. However, if you know the type of job you will be looking for, you can compile the data now and tweak it later.
Your résumé should be full of your strengths and accomplishments, and most importantly, communicate the value you bring to an organization. Remember, be succinct and try to keep the résumé to 2 pages or less.
Social Media
What do your LinkedIn and Facebook profiles say about you? Do they make a good impression?
It's common for potential employers to visit you on Facebook and LinkedIn when you have applied for a job. Over 70% of employers look at the LinkedIn Profiles of candidates before hiring.
To demonstrate your best self, be sure you have an industry suitable and professional-looking headshot as your profile picture. Take a look at your profile and experience section. Is it complete and robust?
Networking
With more people working from home and fewer social activities, networking may be falling by the wayside. Many people undervalue the importance of networking. I spoke recently with the owner of a 500+ person company about recruiting and hiring. He stated their primary source of hires were recommendations from their employees.
Staying connected even when working from home is critical. Use your email, phone, and video to keep your network active. When you find a company you want to apply for, reach out to someone in your network of contacts to make an introduction for you.
Interviewing Skills
Even though you haven't applied for a job yet, you can start honing your interviewing skills. Become very familiar with your résumé and your strengths. Know what value you bring to a company.
Develop a response to "Tell me about yourself" (TMAY) that highlights your strengths. Your TMAY is your 60-second infomercial about yourself from a career perspective.
Research most common interview questions. Then practice your responses to the questions. Have a friend or family member ask you the questions and videotape yourself answering the questions. You can review your answers, improve how you respond, and increase your confidence.
Training
Is there a certification or class that you have been putting off that could boost your chance of landing your dream job? This may be occasion to check these off your to-do list.
2021 is just around the corner. Now is the time to prepare to make it the best year yet for your career. Pick one or two areas and get started today preparing for your job search.
Our goal at Professionally Suited is to provide you with tips and tools to help you enjoy career success. Leave us a message in the comments section on how you prepare for your job search and any areas mentioned you would like for us to dive into deeper.
Happy job search!
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