Five Steps to Retool and Start Your Job Search

Five Steps to Retool and Start Your Job SearchRetooling your job search can be a daunting experience. You might have the feeling that youre starting everything over from the beginning, but thats not the case. You have tons of experience that will be valuable no matter what job you decide to take. Things like knowing how a business works, getting along with coworkers and knowing proper work habits already put you ahead of new candidates coming in. You have the advantage over workers with no experience.So, how do you retool your resume? You have a lot of options, so before you start changing your resume try out a few other options first. One thing you can do is go back to school or get more training. But, you should do a self-assessment and see if this would actually be beneficial to you, work with a career counselor and let them help you to the right path. Look around and see what kind of options you have, dont panic and just try to examine your situation. Then you can begin to retool your job search.1. Start with what you enjoyDo you have a long, lost passion that you wish you had embarked on? Maybe it was teaching skiing lessons in Colorado, who knows, but just start with what you enjoy. Perhaps theres a job related to your hobby that you would enjoy. It could be a completely different field than what youve ever worked in, so take a look around and dont limit yourself. Maybe its time to get out there and try your luck.2. Find a list of tauglichkeit employersThere are always options out there, especially if youre in a large city. You can find a multitude of positions that would fit your job search choice. But, try to reach out a little past your current job and find something that is different or that would excite you. Put this list together because youre going to need it.3. Start retooling your resumeThis is definitely key. Start creating your resume to send to these potential employers, but make sure that you emphasize different aspects of your career that wo uld be beneficial to your prospective employer. You should consider getting some help from a professional resume writer, they can take a drab old resume and create the right blend of personality and accomplishments.4. Send out your resume to your list of employersStarting sending that new resume out You have to get your name out there right? So what are you waiting for, you all ready have a list of potential employers, so whats stopping you? Its time to get the word out about you5. Starting calling people backAfter sending out your resume, hit the phones hard. Dont just sit back and wait for the employer to call you, be aggressive, show them that you want this position and that you are right for it. If youve tooled your resume correctly towards your new career path and showed the desire to learn, then you can have the job that you want.Guest Post by Erin Kennedy, CPRW, CERW, BS/HR, is a Certified Professional Executive Resume Writer/Career Consultant and President of Professional R esume Services, Inc. She is a nationally published writer and contributor of 9+ best-selling career books. She has achieved international recognition following yearly nominations of the prestigious T.O.R.I. (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award. Erin has written thousands of resumes for executives and professionals. As a proud member of PARW, CDI, AORCP, Erin also sits on CDIs Credentialing Committee for new certification candidates and serves as a Mentor for CDIs Member Mentoring Committee. She also is a featured blogger on several well-known career sites http//exclusive-executive-resumes.com.For additional tips and advice on resumes and cover letters, follow us on Twitter GreatResume or visit our blog.

How to Make the Most of Your Job Search When Unemployment is Low

How to Make the Most of Your Job Search When Unemployment is Low How to Make the Most of Your Job Search When Unemployment is LowWith low unemployment creating a multitude of opportunities for job seekers, heres how to leverage this strong economy during your job search.According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment among American workers stands at 3.9 percent the lowest in nearly two decades. Low unemployment and an increase in the number of available jobs has created a market that favors job seekers. However, that doesnt mean you should stick to the same job-search strategies that might have worked during an economic downturn. When the job-search scales are balanced in your favor, here are four things you can do to make the most of it.Apply for reach jobsWith the number of available jobs at a high, that gives job seekers more freedom during their searches. Knowing that you have room to play with means that you can apply to jobs that are typically a stretch for you regarding qualifications and experience and employers are more likely to consider you because they have a number of roles to fill.For example, if your management experience is limited to mentoring others or leading projects, you might still be a good fit for a team management position. Companies who are having a tough time finding and keeping experienced managers may consider you for a management role and provide management and leadership training to fill the gap.Dont settleIn this economic climate, there are many open positions available, so you have the luxury of shopping around and considering only those positions that deliver what youre looking for in a job. You can limit your job search to those positions that offer the best commute, compensation, and career-growth opportunities for you.While its never a good idea to take an interview or job offer for granted, it does make sense to set the bar high for your next position and negotiate the best possible offer. Highly qualified talent is hard to find, so when you know youre worth it, make it clear to hiring managers what you want and need in your next role.Continue building your networkYour professional network is a valuable source of advice, personal introductions, and information sharing. In fact, your network can be your secret weapon for a successful job search in good times and bad. During an economic downturn when jobs are scarce, your network might be the only reliable source for discovering and being considered for new job opportunities. On the other hand, in a strong economic climate, there will be many other avenues besides your network to help with your job search.RelatedThe Importance of Networking (And How to Do It Well)Even when times are good, however, dont forget your network. You might bedrngnis need to call in a favor from your network now, but youll need to stay connected so that youll have options if you need later on. No matter the current economic environment, it makes sense to conti nually make new introductions, give and receive advice, and deepen pre-existing relationships.Think about a career reinventionIn a strong economy, companies are growing and adding new jobs to accommodate their expansion. If youve been thinking about changing industries or pursuing a different career, now may be the time to act. Jobs are plentiful across a range of industries. For example, the education and health services sector alone created more than 54,000 jobs in July 2018.While pursuing a different career comes with some associated risks, you can improve your chances of success by exploring your options when employers are in aggressive hiring mode rather than when theyre cutting back. Your current employer may also be adding jobs and have opportunities available internally. For example, if youre in a sales role but would like to gain experience in data analysis or research, there may be an opportunity to rotate into a different department within your current company. Alternativ ely, if youre interested in launching a new career in another industry, the plentiful supply of available jobs will give you more opportunities to choose from.A job search in any economy presents unique challenges and opportunities for candidates and employers. During times of job growth, its a sellers market that benefits job seekers. You can make the most of a favorable job market by carefully considering your options, aiming high, and remaining open to new paths to job-search success.Click on the following link for more job-search advice.Is your resume ready for this favorable job market? Check with a free resume review todayRecommended ReadingFrom Lemons to Lemonade Turn Job Rejection Into OpportunityWhat You Should Consider Before Switching CareersAsk Amanda How Do I Kick-Start My Job Search?Related Articles