Source: CNN Money
The November unemployment numbers are in as of December 6th and the United States’ unemployment rate is down to 7% which is the lowest it has been in 5 years. That is great news right? It seems NOW is as good a time as any to start looking for that next great opportunity. Are you ready for that job search?
This may sound like an odd question but I am serious. Everyone thinks they are ready until a recruiter or company calls inquiring about you for an interview and then the hem and hawing starts. That isn’t a good position to be in and you always want to be ready and available to share your skills, background and professional knowledge with anyone who may have a good opportunity to offer you.
Here are a few tips to get and stay ready when that next big break comes a’knocking.
1. Make sure your resume is current. I can’t stress this enough. If you are actively working, and are contributing, keep that resume polished and up to snuff so you are able to pass it out at any time without having to stall by informing the requester it needs to be updated.
2. Subscribe to some of the more popular job search sites. Many of them allow you to create filter criteria so only those jobs you are interested in are sent to you via email. It gives you an opportunity to see what employers are looking for in your field and helps you know how to craft your resume to make it relevant.
3. Join professional organizations in your industry. That way you can continue to stay connected and if one of your contacts hears of a new opportunity, you are one of the first to know so you can throw your hat in the ring. Don’t get caught flat footed while everyone else is sprinting past you on their toes because they are ready and prepared.
4. Say yes to any and all interviews you are granted even if it doesn’t seem to be an opportunity you are truly interested in. It gives you an opportunity to practice your interviewing skills and helps you brush them up and polish them off. That way when the right opportunity comes along YOU are ready and more importantly comfortable talking about yourself and your skills.
5. Stay trained up. If you are currently employed and your employer sponsors training classes, stay trained up by taking the opportunity to learn the latest and greatest of the happenings in your industry so you can continue to update/upgrade your resume (see point #1) with those buzz words that will have any company and recruiter interested in meeting you to talk.
There are many ways to get and stay ready for a new job opportunity, the aforementioned are some of the few I found to be highly effective for ME.
Leave us a comment telling us ways you stay ready when starting that new job search?
