Relaunching Your Job Search | New Job Search Tips for A New Year

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There is no better time to make a fresh start in your career than the beginning of a new year. Now that we are a couple of weeks into 2015, it’s time to dust off your resume and put your job search in full swing! The job market is very competitive, so it’s important to fully dedicate yourself to becoming the best candidate on the market.

5 Tips to Give Your Job Search Momentum in the New Year

1. Create a Strategy.

Do you have a good understanding of your desired career path?  Before beginning your job search, reflect on past endeavors, evaluate previous goals, and create a plan for the future. Think about the type of work you truly enjoy and the steps you will need to take to attain your desired position. Create a plan and set it in motion!

2. Update Your Social Media Profiles.

Recruiters and hiring managers often utilize LinkedIn when looking for qualified candidates. Ensure your profile is up-to-date and professional and remember to check your account on a regular basis to avoid missed opportunities. Utilize the social media site to network and search for jobs as well.

Additionally, companies frequently conduct online searches on candidates to see the type of content they have posted on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social sites. Set your personal accounts to private and remove public content that you wouldn’t want your boss to see. Think of yourself as a brand. Make sure your online image is consistent with the message you intend portray to recruiters, hiring managers and potential employers.

3. Update Your Resume.

Take the time to clean up your resume before sending it out, and get plenty of feedback. Show it to friends and family, and colleagues you trust. If struggling, consider investing in a expert resume re-write. This is the first impression you will make on hiring managers, so you want to put your best foot forward.

Ensure the resumes you submit get through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and get seen by hiring managers by tailoring them to the specific jobs. For each resume, provide a brief summary that is tuned and focused to the position to which you are applying. Tailor your experience by highlighting duties that are relevant to the desired role. Utilize keywords that will correlate to the job description. Its a little more work, but it will help your resume get noticed.

4. Reach Out to Existing Contacts.

Are you actively looking for a job? Tap your connections to let people know you’re seeking new opportunities and to find out if anyone knows of any openings you may be interested in. These connections can help you to gain an advantage in a competitive job market.

Is your job search more passive or discrete? Ensure that you stay top of mind with your connections by keeping in contact with them. Invite those you know to networking events that you are attending. Congratulate colleagues on accomplishments (such as completed projects or promotions) via LinkedIn. Publish and share content via social media that those in your industry might be interested in reading. It will show that you are on top of your game and remind them of your relevancy.

5. Expand Your Network.

Expand your online network and join professional associations. Commit to attending local events. Professional groups not only serve as great places to make new contacts, but also often offer valuable seminars and workshops designed to help members with their professional development.

Looking for a new start in 2015?

If you’re ready to start the new year with a brand new job, the experienced Baltimore recruiters at RealStreet Staffing jumpstart your career. RealStreet Staffing matches experienced professionals with rewarding career opportunities in the Federal, architectural, engineering and construction communities. Contact our expert hiring specialists today to get started on your future.

As the Project Director on the 495 Express Lanes Mega Project we encounter the need of services of many disciplines of workers, from administrative, human resources, designers, project control experts and engineering. RealStreet Staffing was always able to supply our team with capable and experienced personnel on a very short notice.This contributed significantly to our Read More…

Mitchell Lester, Project Director 495 Express Lanes

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