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Job Hunt
_It’s never a simple thing to switch your career. Doing it during a recession is even more difficult. However, if you have decided it’s time to advance your career, there are a few things you can do to get a leg up on the competition.
Don’t Share the Good News
With some employees, it’s obvious that they have one foot out the door. They speak openly at work about trying to find another job, start taking advantage of time off or sick days and have no problem turning in work that is subpar. This is always a bad move, especially during a bad economy.
In the United States, the job market suffered almost a 700,000 job loss in December alone. That’s quite a bit of bacon. Many employees will be hunting for new jobs, so the competition is at a peak. If you are looking for a new position, do not assume there will be a better one readily available to you.
Make sure you respect the position you currently have and keep your job hunt on the down low. There are very few companies that will be eager to continue to invest in your future if they know you’re planning on leaving.
Resume
Many of the resume companies out there charge exorbitant funds for a so-so product. Before you decide your best bet is to hire one of the flashy resume services to put together a resume that will change your prospects, truly investigate different options.
Find a friend who has a fabulous job he got not via connections, but via resume submission and take a look at what he sent. If he used a company to put together his resume, take the referral. If not, ask him for advice on beefing up your own.
When prepping your resume, remember to stick to metrics. Metrics are specific, quantified information ie: Raised sales performance by 40% in first quarter. These types of concrete examples help Human Resources pick out your strengths on sight, as well as providing perfect fodder for interview conversation.
Another rule of thumb is to include applicable experience. This is not to say you should leave off former positions held, or a potential employer will wonder about the time gaps that appear. Rather, be certain to focus on highlighting achievements that are appropriate to the new position you want to obtain.
For the positions that are not, be brief. Remember, if at first glance a company thinks your talents may serve a different position than the one you’re seeking, you will have a hard time changing their mind.
Use Resources
If you are in the market for a new job, walking the line of secrecy can be tough. It’s important that you use the connections you have made in the industry to find out what positions might be available or up and coming without having the information that you’re looking get back to your company. Use sources you can trust, or consider hiring a placement company to help you.
If you are ready to advance in your career, don’t let a shaky economy hold you back. Just be smart about how you choose to move forward. Good luck in your career advancement.
Don’t Share the Good News
With some employees, it’s obvious that they have one foot out the door. They speak openly at work about trying to find another job, start taking advantage of time off or sick days and have no problem turning in work that is subpar. This is always a bad move, especially during a bad economy.
In the United States, the job market suffered almost a 700,000 job loss in December alone. That’s quite a bit of bacon. Many employees will be hunting for new jobs, so the competition is at a peak. If you are looking for a new position, do not assume there will be a better one readily available to you.
Make sure you respect the position you currently have and keep your job hunt on the down low. There are very few companies that will be eager to continue to invest in your future if they know you’re planning on leaving.
Resume
Many of the resume companies out there charge exorbitant funds for a so-so product. Before you decide your best bet is to hire one of the flashy resume services to put together a resume that will change your prospects, truly investigate different options.
Find a friend who has a fabulous job he got not via connections, but via resume submission and take a look at what he sent. If he used a company to put together his resume, take the referral. If not, ask him for advice on beefing up your own.
When prepping your resume, remember to stick to metrics. Metrics are specific, quantified information ie: Raised sales performance by 40% in first quarter. These types of concrete examples help Human Resources pick out your strengths on sight, as well as providing perfect fodder for interview conversation.
Another rule of thumb is to include applicable experience. This is not to say you should leave off former positions held, or a potential employer will wonder about the time gaps that appear. Rather, be certain to focus on highlighting achievements that are appropriate to the new position you want to obtain.
For the positions that are not, be brief. Remember, if at first glance a company thinks your talents may serve a different position than the one you’re seeking, you will have a hard time changing their mind.
Use Resources
If you are in the market for a new job, walking the line of secrecy can be tough. It’s important that you use the connections you have made in the industry to find out what positions might be available or up and coming without having the information that you’re looking get back to your company. Use sources you can trust, or consider hiring a placement company to help you.
If you are ready to advance in your career, don’t let a shaky economy hold you back. Just be smart about how you choose to move forward. Good luck in your career advancement.