Do you feel “stuck” in your job and career? Most of us don’t think about our careers when we are busy. Life takes over, and our careers often sink to the bottom of our priorities. We tend to leave a lot to chance. But things can change. Often unexpectedly, or at short notice. Your role may change, or be made redundant. Maybe you have a new boss you don’t get along with. Or your team has changed, and you’re not happy. This makes you think about looking for a new role.
Leaving things to chance is not a good idea. Being prepared means less stress if things do change suddenly. Becoming unemployed is stressful. Aim to always be one step ahead, just in case.
To get prepared, do these 3 things:
Step 1
Before you touch your resume or LinkedIn, get your “message” correct. Know yourself and what you enjoy doing and where you add value in an organisation.
Think back over your career. What do you love doing and why. Maybe you are a great problem solver who can always find solutions. Or you love managing and developing your team. People compliment you on your leadership style. Take time to think about 3 things you enjoy doing when you are working.
Think about when you recently had a great work day, or week or month. What was it about that time that made you happy and feel fulfilled? Be able to tell someone this, succinctly and positively, in under 2 minutes.
Write all of this down. Get 3 blank pieces of paper and ask yourself 3 things – who, what and why? Each sheet of paper should list one of the following headings:
- WHO –Who am I? What are my values? What is important to me? What are my personal attributes?
- WHAT –What are my skills? What have I achieved in my career? What do my colleagues and friends say are my skills? What are my strengths? What comes naturally to me? What career achievements am I most proud of? What makes me happy? What energises me? What are my transferable skills? What do I NOT enjoy?
- WHY – Why should a company employ me? What benefits would I bring if they did? Where do I add value to a business? Where do I make a difference?
Spend a couple of hours doing this. Leave it for a while and go back to it.
Your results all feed into creating your answer to the popular interview question, “Tell me about yourself?”
Step 2
Once you have clarified your message, fix up your resume. It should be 3 to 4 pages maximum. The most important page is page one. Employers should be able to scan page one quickly and know what you can offer them and where you have worked.
If you are getting job interviews, your resume is doing its job. If you are applying for job adverts and not hearing back, there is a good chance your resume needs some changes.
See your resume as your sales document. Selling you and your skills. It must tell people what you offer and where you work. Unsure how your resume stacks up, against job adverts? Try using a resume key word optimiser tool like skillsyncer or jobscan. These clever little tools tell you how you match the job adverts. Aim for a 70 to 80% match.
Step 3
Once you are happy with your resume, update your LinkedIn Profile. Remember, LinkedIn is a public platform, so everyone can see you. Get your profile right and don’t leave it incomplete. You would not send an incomplete resume to a job advert. Don’t leave your LinkedIn profile incomplete. Recruiters and hiring managers will check you out. Click here for 7 steps to help complete your LinkedIn profile.
Your resume and your LinkedIn profile represent your personal business brand. Aim to make them both memorable.
Finally
Remember, staying one step ahead like this, reduces the stress. Don’t leave your career to chance. Get the basics right and your job search will start quicker and easier. You will know what you want, and what you can offer.
Once this is complete, you can then devise your job search strategy. I recommend spending 30% of your job search on job adverts and recruitment agencies. Spend the remaining 70%, meeting with your network to ask their advice, and if they know anyone who could help you.
Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:
- Career Clarity – Are you at a Career crossroads and need help?
- Personal Brand – Maximise your LinkedIn and Resume and get noticed.
- Interview Coaching – Nail your job interview and get the job offer.