There is no better time to make a fresh start in your career than the beginning of a new year. It’s the perfect time to dust off your resume and put your job search in full swing! However, the job market is competitive, so it’s important to fully dedicate yourself to becoming the best candidate on the market.

Finding a job you love may sound cliché, but work is a significant part of daily life and can play a large role in your overall happiness. The good news: it can be done! The following will help you successfully get a new job in the new year!

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

1. Evaluate Your Skills and Experience

Create a list of your skills, strengths and accomplishments to gain a better sense of the areas where you thrive. Make another list of things you’re passionate about truly enjoy doing. Your ideal job is a combination of what makes you happy and what you’re good at, so use this information to come up with ideas of jobs you might find interesting. If you are making a complete transition, it’s likely you still have a number of transferable skills could be advantageous in job search and in a new career. It will be important to understand how your skills can apply to your desired positions. It will also be essential to address any gaps.

2. Establish Your Priorities

Career satisfaction is different to each individual, and it’s rarely all about the money. Reflect on what is important to you, to better understand what would bring job satisfaction. Do you care about having a certain work-life balance; maybe you want a job that allows you to spend more time with your family? Perhaps you would like to work for a company that focuses on its employees professional development; consider a company that supports continuing education, mentor programs and promoting from within. Is there a cause you are passionate about; maybe a company with a certain philanthropic aspect would be best. It could be any combination things, but the choice is yours. From this standpoint, what matters is getting what you want from your job.

3. 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!

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Career?

Searching for an exciting, new career opportunity? RealStreet can help you build a better career! Contact us today to find the best architecture, engineering and construction job opportunities!