The right way to prepare for a job/career change.
The right way to prepare for a job/career change.
10 tips to get you started off on the right foot.
1. Know your ‘Why’.
Before you embark on your job search, it is important to get crystal-clear on the reasons and motivations behind your desire to transition into a new job or career. This will help you to develop your speaking points in interviews, networking, and your resume.
2. Brainstorm what you want your next job to look like.
Spend time brainstorming what you want AND what don’t want in your next job. Come up with a list of your strengths, interests, and non-negotiables (e.g., flexibility, salary, professional development). Getting specific on your criteria will help you to be more strategic, targeted, and efficient in your job search.
Pro Tip: Refer to this list during your job search to keep yourself on track and in alignment with your values and goals.
3. Track your achievements.
Achievements are the best way to showcase your value and impact to a potential employer. But many of us get swept up in the day-to-day and we often forget to record our accomplishments. If you aren’t tracking your successes, then it makes it a LOT harder when it comes time to update your resume.
Pro Tip: Keep a spreadsheet on your computer and record your achievements as they happen - add metrics whenever possible.
4. Update your resume.
Incorporate any new skills, certifications, and achievements you have earned, and make sure that the information you add to your resume is relevant and important to the jobs you are targeting. If it’s not, keep it off because resume space is precious.
Important! Plug in your relevant and measurable achievements. The more numbers you can incorporate, the better. When it comes to resumes, numbers often speak louder than words.
5. Assess your gaps and upskill if necessary.
Research and review job postings that fit the criteria you’ve established, then make note of any gaps in your skills, qualifications, or experience.
If you do have some gaps, no worries! There are things you can do in the meantime to fill them, such as asking for more responsibility in a certain area of your job or taking a free webinar, workshop, or class (LinkedIn offers a lot of great free online courses).
6. Work on your value pitch.
Your value pitch is your introduction to potential employers (and can be used when networking as well). This is an area that can be hard for a lot of folks, so it’s best to practice early and often.
A great question to develop your pitch to is the common interview ice-breaker, “Tell Me About Yourself”. Get clear on your talking points and practice your delivery until you are comfortable. Remember: you want it to be specific, concise, and impactful.
7. Reach out to recruiters.
Good recruiters can provide a wealth of knowledge for job seekers, so why not get a head start in marketing yourself to them? Send messages and schedule exploratory calls with a few reputable recruiters in your industry. In lieu of sending a standard email or LinkedIn message, consider sending a voice or video intro for a more personal touch.
8. Update your LinkedIn profile.
Update the different sections of your page (About, experience, skills, etc.) so that it reflects your relevant skills, qualifications, and experience. Make sure they are important to the job you are seeking.
Pro Tip #1: Refer to your updated resume for keywords and impactful statements to incorporate throughout your LinkedIn page.
Pro Tip #2: Ask for testimonials and endorsements from colleagues. They should speak to your experience, qualifications, and the impact you have made in your career – and they need to be relevant to the jobs you are applying to!
9. Actively network.
When your LinkedIn is in a good place, it is time to *actively and intentionally* engage with your network for greater visibility. Spend time each day liking and commenting on posts and create your own posts by sharing your knowledge or reposting articles from thought leaders in your industry.
10. Reach out to advocates in your network.
Connect with trusted people in your network to let them know you are planning to change jobs/careers and kindly request their assistance (e.g., introducing you to their connections). These individuals can be your extra set of eyes and ears throughout your job search.
This week’s #hirethishumanS are Susie Ceruto and Michael Berstein!
Check out Susie’s career slide deck here: Susie Ceruto
and… take a look at Michael’s slide deck here: Michael Bernstein
Words to inspire:
“Be there for others, but never leave yourself behind.”
~ Dodinsky