I doubt many could have predicted the job search journey that was 2023 — so I’m not here to make any predictions about 2024 — except to say that many will likely be nervous as they follow the economy’s ups and downs.
If you haven’t needed to job search in years, it’s important to note what has changed:
1) There is often a pipeline of people getting qualified for a role during the time when a job posting is in the works.
2) People spend just seconds reviewing a resume on screens both large and small (printing occurs – just usually not straight away).
3) When hiring managers are risk-averse or not feeling confident, they may hire via consensus decision-making — which can mean several rounds of interviews and perhaps a more drawn-out job hunt.
If your job search is beginning in 2024, it is critical to be prepared before taking a leap. Here’s advice I share with clients – and a few evergreen blogs chock-full of resources), who come to me for a resume consultation.
READY??
Spend some time brainstorming about the most logical next step. Is it a lateral move to another company, a promotion within, or perhaps an industry change?
Use the Internet, web and app-based job search apps to see who has the budget for hiring and in what kind of roles. Do a bit of due diligence to see if the companies or the roles sound appealing and use LinkedIn to see the kinds of people currently filling those shoes.
This article can help you organize your time:
Has it Been Years Since Your Last Job Search? How to Organize and Spend Your Time Wisely
. . . and this article can help you dig in and dig deep!
There’s More than One Way to Research a Company that Interests You
GET SET . . .
DOCUMENTS
Don’t do a thing until your resume and LinkedIn profile are in tip-top shape. This means making sure your resume is easily skimmable when read on screens of all sizes, and quickly shows the reader how you are a perfect fit.
Your best shot at success comes with a LinkedIn profile that is fully complete with a headshot, a searchable headline, compelling summary and noteworthy achievements. These tips can help make sure your LinkedIn complements your resume:
Your Resume & LinkedIn Must Complement – Not Copy – One Another
SOCIAL MEDIA SITES
Spend some time shoring up any other social media sites with your name on them (Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter, etc.) as recruiters are known to check. Any sites that are not private should contain material that presents you in a great light professionally. Remove any traces of rants, and if you wouldn’t say it to your grandmother or a prospective boss, I’d argue it doesn’t belong on your social media during a job hunt.
NETWORK
Spend some time identifying potential people to include in your network. People in your virtual Rolodex (dating myself with that term I know!) should include connections of connections, friends of friends and recruiters. Social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, ALL OF THEM) is a great resource for identifying these people and reaching out.
Here’s one of my favorite articles featuring some unexpected ways to grow and tap into your network:
Off-the-Beaten Path Job Search Strategies that Might Surprise You
GO!!
Your documents are ready to go and your network is in place.
Now it’s time to let them know you’re looking and initiating conversations to uncover opportunities. Get on their radar by proactively engaging with company insiders be it through LinkedIn, a phone call or an email.
Follow these steps will absolutely increase the traffic to your LinkedIn profile:
5 Ways to Improve Your Rank During A LinkedIn Search
Picture yourself this time next year.
Will you be kicking yourself if nothing has changed? If the answer is yes, then its time to kick your job search journey into high gear. . .
Happy Job Hunting!
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