Surveys often show that one of the top New Year’s resolution goals for many people is to get a better job in the new year. For some, the goal may be to get back into the workforce, either in a new job in the same field, or starting out in a whole new career. Here’s a few tips that will hopefully help you keep your resolution:
Update your resume.
One of our popular recent courses is Creating an Online Resume: Hands-On Training with Laurie Burruss. While Laurie concentrates on creating a resume to present in HTML, her tips on overall resume composition will work for print and text-based email resumes, too. A couple more resources: Broward County’s Workforce One created a video for a Florida career fair with tips on how to update and streamline a resume. Monster.com lists sample resumes for a number of different fields.
Use (free!) apps to get organized.
Google Calendar might be designed for businesses, but it also works for individuals intent on organizing appointments, meetings, phone calls, follow-up emails, interviews, and projects. Google Apps: Calendar Essential Training with Susan Cline shows how to use this free web-based application to manage personal and professional schedules. Proficiency at Google Calendar may also come in handy as a job skill, since many businesses and schools use it as their main time-management application.
Present yourself professionally.
Know and use the formatting features in your email applications to your advantage. Whether you use GMail, Entourage, or Mail, take the time to learn its formatting features so that when your emails are received, you’ll be presented in the best light possible.
Use social networks.
Our recent poll question let us know that many people use LinkedIn for job research, whether they are looking for a job, or employers checking out a potential employee’s’ background. 40% of you said you use it to find new career and job opportunities. Be sure to update your experience and skills, and request recommendations from former employers and coworkers. Another resource: This About.com contributor shares her experience with using social networks to land a job.
Research the company.
Researching companies that you are applying to. Spend time on the company web site, and check out their LinkedIn group and employee profiles. Following a company’s Twitter feed, blog, or Facebook fan page will give you a better feel for the company culture, new products, and more.
Follow directions.
If a job listing requests that you send a resume to a particular email address or requires that you fill out an online application, do what they say. Some may request cover letters, some specifically ask that you do not call to follow up. This Washington Post article tells about a job that requires that its applicants apply in tweets.
Check out our job listings.
We’re just a little biased, but we think that working for lynda.com is pretty darn cool. If you have what we’re looking for, and live in the Carpinteria, CA area, check out our 19 darn cool job openings.
Update current skills and learn new ones.
Even if you’re insanely busy scouring the papers and web sites for new positions, try to take the time to check out new and relevant lynda.com courses that could potentially help you in a new job. If you don’t have time to check the site or blog every day, be sure you’re subscribed to our monthly newsletter or the New Releases announcement that comes out every two weeks, or follow us on Twitter.
