2. Did any of these mistakes
happen to you in 2016 ?
• Typos /Update on your resume.
• Waiting for the job to come to you.
• Relying on job postings.
• Casual searching.
• Lying on your resume.
• Not casting a wide enough net.
• Sending unsolicited resumes.
• Disengaging from your networks.
• Sending the same resume for every job.
• Talking instead of listening.
• Including random (or inappropriate) hobbies.
• Failing to follow up.
• Looking for “any job.
• Not following instructions.
• Appearing unprofessional.
• Being unprepared in interviews. I
• Being late to an interview.
3. What is a game plan for 2017 ?
• Key Points:
• Really, really, where are you in your career?
• When was the last time you had a career reality check with
your mentor?
• Clarify your reasons for leaving if for no other reason than
to ease the pain and discomfort of giving notice
• As December rolls in, STOP and CAREER plan.
• Start with your 2016 YOU and plan your career path from
2017
• 80% of your time networking or 4 hours week – 20%
applications and recruiters or one hour per week
• Leave your resume for the end
4. Be Positive
It is important to understand how difficult the job
market is today, and that it is not necessarily your fault
that you are out of work and having difficulty finding a
new job. However, you must own your job search and
start taking the necessary steps to improve the way
you present yourself to potential employers. Just
remember that you are not alone in this situation, and
every job you get passed over for actually brings you
one step closer to the one you will get.
• Attitude Confidence, Motivation, and Positive Thinking
5. Create a Personal Marketing Plan
Create a list of target companies and industries you
want to work for, so you can channel your efforts into a
more focused job search. Looking for work is a full-time
job, and to increase your chances of being successful,
you need to approach it that way. Researching
information about the what a company does, where it
fits within the industry, and what will be expected of
you in the available position will aid you tremendously
when you are in front of a potential employer, and
show that you have the knowledge and motivation to
be successful with them.
• Personal Networking Profile | Company & Industry
Research
6. Stay Motivated
It is easy to become disheartened when you have been out
of work for a significant amount of time, and seeing reprts
in the media about high unemployment rates and benefits
being cut off can make it seem like things are never going
to get better. The best way to combat falling into a rut or
depression is to stay active. Make a point of sending out
resumes or filling out applications at least once a day, even
if it's to a job you don't think you can get, as job seeking is
a skill that needs to be practiced, just like playing the piano
or lifting weights.
7. Evaluate Skills and Abilities
Assessing your own abilities and how you apply them to your
chosen vocation can help you figure out which are your strongest
skills, and which you may lack or need to improve upon. It is
important to be honest with yourself when evaluating your skills
and abilities, even though it can be a difficult thing to do. Asking a
trusted friend or family member for a peer evaluation is also a very
useful tool, as they can give you feedback and advice on how you
appear to a potential employer. If you can afford a professional
career counselor, they can provide additional aid beyond what basic
job seeker support groups can offer, but it is important to research
their credentials and reliability; getting a reference or positive
feedback from other job seekers on a counselor they used is a good
place to start.
• Personal and Career Assessment
8. Improve Your Resume:
Your resume should reflect the best you have to offer, and it should clearly
and concisely communicate who you are and what you can provide to a
potential employer, as it will need to get past a variety of filters and
screeners before finding its way in front of the person in charge of hiring
new employees. Keywords are an important aspect of a successful
resume, as an overwhelming number of them are being electronically
reviewed first. Search online for examples of other resumes, or ask to see
ones being used by people you know, so you can compare and contrast
them with yours. If your resume is getting you to an interview, then you
know it is working, but it can always be improved. Don't be afraid to ask
potential employers what it was in your resume that made them pick you
over all the other candidates, and what parts they ignored or did not like.
Just remember that in the end, a resume is a tool to get your foot in the
door, not land the job.
• If you can afford a professional resume writer it makes sense
• C&C Career Center is one that I reccomend
9. Practice Job Interviews:
Practicing your job interview skills is just as important for finding
employment as rehearsals are for a successful Broadway play. Hold
mock interviews with friends or family members playing the part of
the interviewer, and have them ask you both questions you expect,
as well as throwing you a few curveballs to hone your abilities to
think and speak on the fly. If you cannot find someone to help you
with a mock interview, try taping yourself answer questions
established beforehand, and then review it from the mindset of an
employer, looking for where the weak points can be improved, and
reinforcing the parts where you thrive. Today many first interviews
are on skype or a web based service learn how to do effect video
interviews.
• Interviewing : Interviews That Stand Out
In Person, On Phone, On video Conferencing and On Skype
10. Learn How To Effectively Network
If you are not already doing so, learning how to network with people is a skill that
will help you succeed in your job search endeavors. With the number of
candidates for jobs increasing while the amount of available positions is dwindling,
job openings are becoming more and more of a precious commodity. While it is
important to send out resumes and chase down leads from newspapers or job
sites, that alone isn't enough anymore to ensure success. There are many people
from a variety of industries out of work right now, so going to a job seeker support
group, taking continuing education classes, or attending unemployment seminars
are a great way to meet others in a similar situation as you.
Inevitably, some of those people will get jobs, and if you've established a
relationship with them, even if they are not in the same field as you, they could
always hear of opportunities or meet other people through their company that
could help you. At the same time, if you are the one who finds a job, keeping in
touch with those you have met and reaching out to them if you think you could
help them will ensure that you have a solid network built in the event that you
need their help with anything in the future. Keep in mind most jobs today are part
of the "hidden job market" you can only reach them through effective networking.
• Networking
11. Use LinkedIn as a Networking Tool
The website LinkedIn.com has become a powerful resource for job
seekers, offering opportunities to both search for job openings and
building your network. It might seem overwhelming to learn at first,
but using the tools provided on the site to aid new users, or finding
others who know how to use it that are willing to teach you is well
worth the time. You can join groups pertaining to your field or
industry, and build up a network of contacts that allows you to
connect to others that have also connected to your contacts,
establishing a large population of people you can connect with to
aid in your job search. While LinkedIn does have a paid service with
additional resources, creating a free account will provide you with
everything you need to begin the process and expand your
network.
• LinkedIn.com help
12. Never Stop Learning
Once you know the skills you need to achieve your job search goals,
and are continuing to improve and update them, it can be useful to
learn new skills or seek out new experiences that you have never
had before. Volunteer work can provide you with opportunities to
expand beyond the scope of that to which you are accustomed, and
allow you to interact with people you may not otherwise have
gotten the chance to meet.
There are countless resources for seminars, webinars, and online
education that are either free or modestly priced, and allow you to
learn at your own pace and whenever you can find time. In
addition, thanks to the advent of the internet, nearly anything you
want to learn is practically at your fingertips, merely a clicked link or
a Google search away.
13. Never Stop Learning
Once you know the skills you need to achieve your job search goals,
and are continuing to improve and update them, it can be useful to
learn new skills or seek out new experiences that you have never
had before. Volunteer work can provide you with opportunities to
expand beyond the scope of that to which you are accustomed, and
allow you to interact with people you may not otherwise have
gotten the chance to meet.
There are countless resources for seminars, webinars, and online
education that are either free or modestly priced, and allow you to
learn at your own pace and whenever you can find time. In
addition, thanks to the advent of the internet, nearly anything you
want to learn is practically at your fingertips, merely a clicked link or
a Google search away.
14. Consider Relocation
In many cases, companies, or even entire
industries, have moved to different parts of the
country, where job growth might be better and
local economies healthier. The top 10 states with
high unemployment rates account for nearly 57
percent of the country's total unemployment,
meaning there is enormous competition in those
areas. If it will not be too difficult to move to a
place where there is more opportunity and less
competition, it is worth considering that option,
especially when the government is not providing
the aid needed to the most-affected areas.
15. Join or Start a Job Search Group
Utilizing the talents of a group of people is a proven technique for
solving overwhelming and complicated problems. Find programs
that can help with your specific needs, and gain the benefit of
brainstorming, support, and feedback from other people, especially
as they are going through the very same things that you are, and
can use your help as well. Search online or check your local news
sources for information on any groups near you that offer aid for
job seekers, and if there aren't any that you feel suit your needs,
you can always try starting one. In the Northeast, there are venues
that host meetings held by Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, a
non-profit job seeker support group with wonderful members who
are willing to help one another during this trying time.
• Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA
16. Pay It Forward
The pay it forward mentality is very important
in today's world, and it shows the true
character of the people who do this without
any expectations. There are people with all
kinds of needs that depend on the generosity
of others to help them. The rewards will be
beyond anything you could imagine I am proof
of it.
17. How did I plan my days in 2016
• What is the most important thing I should be
doing right now ?
• Will what I am doing help me in my Job
search ?
• How much Time do I need to accomplish my
goals?
• Do I need any help with any part of this ?
• Who can help me ?
18. Your 2017 plan
What for worked for you ?
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• What could you
improve on ?
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