Yahoo Finance Tips to Prepare for a Job Change in January
A career change is on the horizon for many. LinkedIn reports that the first quarter of the year, January to March, is when there are more job transitions than any other time of the year. Success is often defined as when opportunity meets preparation. To maximize your career opportunities, proactive preparation goes a long way. You never know when you may get an out-of-the-blue call from a recruiter or a buddy lets you know there is an opening at their awesome company. Here are things you should do before the end of the year to prepare for a January jump.
[See: How to Quit Your Job.]
1. Update your LinkedIn picture. It has never been easier to get an ideal LinkedIn picture. Start with a buddy who has a camera or a smartphone and a steady hand. Next, chose a shirt and possibly a jacket in a color that looks good on you and shows well on a screen. Style yourself (hair, makeup, accessories) as you should look for your ideal job. Find a solid background with good lighting. Take as many pictures as necessary to capture an approachable, trustworthy and respectable image that shows your shoulders through a little space above your head. Upload this picture and check it out via the LinkedIn mobile app on your phone. If it looks good there -- you are set.
2. Update your LinkedIn headline. Most LinkedIn users have as their headline the title of their current job. Don't waste this prime branding real estate repeating your title. You have 120 characters available to create an engaging headline about you and your qualifications. For example, "Human Resources Manager, Acme Co." can become "Human Resources Leader Skilled in Helping Companies to Scale and Hire Strategically." A well-written headline establishes who you are beyond your current title. It shows your brand and can give guidance as to where you want to go next.
[See: The 10 Worst Jobs for Millennials.]
3. Update your resume. Don't wait until you need a resume to write or update yours. It is more challenging to craft a flawless document that speaks to your future when you have a looming deadline. Some pitfalls of rushing include reflecting only duties with no thought toward impact, making editing errors and missing the chance to highlight what is relevant for the next role. To avoid the reactive resume, start first by listing your impact and achievements in your current role. How have you made a difference? Look at your past roles to ensure that you have listed accomplishments in those positions as well. Next, review your summary and core competency or skill sections to update those areas. Have you distinguished yourself and substantiated your contributions? These are a must for an effective resume. In short, write a document that puts you in the best light and guides a future interviewer to areas that you are proud to discuss.
4. Think about the future. What would you like to do next? The holidays are an ideal time to think about your priorities, and how your career integrates into your big picture (or detracts from it). Your best career path is created with knowledge of what really matters to you. Once you have a handle on your priorities, outline your professional goals. These goals can include attending an industry event, increasing your comfort with public speaking or letting your manager know you would like to be trained for a new role. The key is to plan for your future -- don't let it just happen to you.
5. Build digital dexterity. In his new book, "The Billion Dollar Byte," author and data scientist D. Justhy defines a new term: datapreneur. His book accentuates the need for every professional to develop digital skills and fluency with data as a core competency. Establish an ongoing relationship with technology -- acquire and maintain a framework to use data and digital tools to solve business problems, increase communication and maximize efficiency. Employees who continually challenge themselves to stay current fare better in the job market. Ever-growing digital skills are a must to compete for the best roles.
[See: 25 Best Business Jobs for 2017.]
6. Connect with people. The holidays are a great time to re-establish relationships and to make new connections. New acquaintances often ask "What do you do?" and old friends may ask "What's next?" Have in mind your elevator pitch to describe your professional qualifications and what, if anything, you might target in the future. Rehearsing these two to three sentences before networking ensures you convey an ideal message -- not just the one that comes to the top of mind in the moment.
The festive and reflective nature of the end of the year is an optimal time to set the foundation for career progression in the new year. It can be as simple as freshening up your LinkedIn and updating your resume or taking time to ponder your long-term goals. Effort will be rewarded with a clarity of direction, a strategy in communicating your value proposition and updated skills. With this preparation, you are set to take advantage of the opportunities in 2018.
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