A New Year, A New Job, A New Career, Where to Start

2013, a new year.  Maybe you are still looking for a job or you feel like a change.  Whatever the reason, new years, new seasons tend to encourage us to start looking at lifestyle and goal changes.  As in everything I do in life, I make a list.  Whether it's in a little notebook or on your iPad, start jotting down things that can help you in your job hunting or career change.

1. Update your resume.  Always have your resume ready to go.  You never know when or where you will hear about the perfect job that you have been looking for.  It could be at the coffee shop, lunch with friends, on the internet (job boards, twitter, facebook, LinkedIn).  Have a good look at the format:
• is the font easy to read (arial, tahoma), minimum 10 pt, black (for most professions:  IT, Finance) 
• keep the format simple:  profile, education, experience
• take out the superflous information:  hobbies, references, pictures, age, etc
• get rid of any fancy boxes, they don't copy over properly and things can be missed
• use tabs and returns, not spaces for formatting.  If you aren't sure how go on to google and take a quick lesson, basic formatting is really quite easy and will save you a ton of time in the long term
• make sure your contact information is up to date and shown on every page
• save as a word document
2. Update your on-line profiles.  Set up new on-line accounts.  Don't have a twitter account, then get one.  Network with your contacts.  Send out a quick "Have a great 2013, btw I am looking to change my career" or "Thinking of changing my career to ... any advice on courses or places to apply".
3. Look at the jobs you have been applying for and be truthful with yourself.  Do you need another certificate or upgrading of your skills, then maybe now is the time to do it.  
4. Check out the job boards and the business section of newspapers, etc to find out what is happening out there.  What's HOT, what's NOT.
5. Volunteering is a great way to meet people and show off your skills.  There isn't a lot of competition in volunteer groups, they are made up of people who want to help other people.  So let them know that you are looking for a job or planning on changing your career.  And to top it off volunteering is good for your self esteem and makes you feel great.

A new year, a new job, a promotion.  Be ready when opportunity knocks.

Happy New Year everyone.

and

Good Luck in your Job Hunting