The two occasions that many people use to more closely analyze their careers are around the change to a new calendar year, and at and after the summer slowdown. These two times of the year also coincide with the budgeting, staffing, and hiring plans of numerous organizations as they prepare to close out this year and begin forecasting for next year.
ClearRock offers five career strategies that can assist people with:
1. Ensure your fit with a potential employer before applying for or accepting a job. Lack of cultural fit is one of the biggest contributors to the failure of newly hired employees. Become more familiar with the culture of a potential employer – its core values, mission and vision – and determine whether they are a true match and you could have a career with them, rather than only a job.
Check out their websites, look at their LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, read their profiles on Glassdoor and articles that have been published about them. Try to talk with someone who works there, used to work there, or can provide an introduction to a current or former employee.
2. Improve your follow-up after an in-person or telephone interview.
Too many people don’t follow up adequately after a personal or telephone interview beyond sending one email or letter. They are afraid they will be considered a nuisance when, actually, those who follow up in the right ways are exhibiting leadership and decision-making qualities. Showing how much you want to work for an employer is an indicator of the dedication and hard work you will bring to the job.
Follow up within 24 hours after a personal or telephone interview. Develop different reasons to reach out to the hiring person and decision-makers and subtle ways to emphasize your value. Keep them apprised of any new courses taken, certificates received, papers published, speeches given, or anything else that will provide both an update and another contact with them.
3. Give a potential employer a second – or third – try.
Many job seekers are successful the second or third time they apply with a potential employer.
The needs and skill requirements of employers are continually changing in response to economic conditions and the state of their businesses. The increased number of jobs being added to the economy may offer job seekers an opportunity to get employers to take another look at them.
Evaluate how your experience and skills have changed since your last contact with the employer. Focus on how you have filled in any gaps that stood in the way of getting the job the first time. Provide examples that will help support your improved fit for the position. Include specific new experience and skills gained, and knowledge acquired through taking courses, completing certificates, or acquiring degrees.
4. Develop a compelling social media brand.
Your online social media profile may be as important as your resume since employers are more frequently recruiting via social media. Build a distinct online brand that defines the areas in which you specialize and distinguishes you from others. Ensure you are using the best professional title on LinkedIn that highlights the full range of what you can do.
Position yourself as an expert in your field. Include searchable key words in your social media profile and online resume that detail the depth of your experience and skills. Keep your social media profile up to date with meaningful status updates and include how your job search is going in them.
5. Adopt a mentor.
Mentoring is no longer only a way for seasoned executives and managers to counsel and develop less experienced employees and newcomers. Employees of all ages and organizational levels are using mentoring to acquire job-related skills and learn how to refine their softer people-related abilities.
Mentoring relationships can be very short-term – an hour or a day – or last weeks or months, depending on how long it takes to achieve the desired objectives. People can have more than one mentor at the same time to serve different purposes. One mentor can be a coach for improving function-related skills, and another mentor can instruct in interpersonal skills.
