Is It Time to Put Yourself Back Out There?

Now that the job market is on the upswing,  it might be time to ask if you should put yourself back out in the job market.  Perhaps you got discouraged and stopped looking;  maybe it’s time to seek that promotion or make that career change.   The time seems right to dust off the resume and job search plan (hopefully you had one) and get back out there.  Certain industries are hiring again and there is job movement.  Here are some steps that can help you to get ‘back in the game:

1. Research – look at the job boards and companies in your industry to see what jobs are open and if they match your skills and experience

2. Assess – go back and re-assess your skills, values, accomplishments and experiences to align them with the job market; this can also help the ego and confidence

3. Network – call up those contacts you have and tell them you are job-hunting; find networking meetings in your target market and attend;  visit your alumni association and attend professional association meetings; get online to reach out, such as LinkedIn or Branch Out on Face Book

4. Update Your Resume – make sure that your resume is current and highlights the skills and accomplishments you identified in your self-assessment; make sure you have quantifiable descriptions and no errors or typos

5.  Develop Your Plan - make goals and develop a job search strategy for how you plan to find your next job; be clear on the type of job you want and set daily actions and intentions on how you will conduct your job-search

6. Get the Mindset – make the decision to be positive;  write about your intentions, your mood and your progress; visualize yourself in that  job to increase your motivation and confidence

These steps will help you once you make the decision to get back out there.  Your options are to stay where you are or to go after the job you want and enhance your life.  Which will you choose?

Why the Holidays Are a Great Time to Job Hunt

Traditionally, the holidays are a time of great preparation as you are busy decorating your house with lights and ornaments, buying presents for those on your list, or baking goodies for the holiday meal.  It is a time of parties and get-togethers with family and friends.  It would seem that with all of this activity it is not the time to look for a job.  But you could not be more wrong.  The last couple of weeks can be the perfect time to find a job, as most companies are readying for the new year and are streamlining their  focus and systems.  It is also a time when their is movement aas people take other positions or make a move in some way.  Organizations know of  and could be planning for job openings that will occur due to expansions or new contracts that will create the need for workers.

This is not the time to be idle.  Follow these tips, get yourself together and get out there:

1. Be targeted – focus on the specific job or organization you want and keep looking for ways to get in; look at company job boards and sign up for automatic notifications when jobs are posted 

2. Be visible – get yourself out among people and let them know you are looking for a position or an introduction to someone who can get you in the do0r of an employer.  This is not the time to be shy, especially if you are at holiday gatherings 

3. Be indispensible -  sign up for temp agencies or contract work; most employees want to be off for the holidays so this could be a way to get income as well as the lead-in to full-or part-time employment

4. Be a giver – this would be a great time to volunteer your services which can offer help to an organization and get your skills and capabilities noticed; you will also be developing good relationships that will put you in the forefront when openings do occur

Keeping your focus on finding a job during this time will help you to keep your momentum and emotional level up and keep you ahead of the those who believe there are no jobs to be had or that organizations do not hire during this time of year.  This can be the time that employers are preparing and scheduling interviews for positions that will become available in January.  It can also keep you in job-search mode which will give you the edge among others.