Many people make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight or quit smoking, but what about resolutions to help your career? If you are unemployed, or even if you are employed, you should set goals this year to better your career. Here are some possible resolutions:
- Attend networking events and follow up with the contacts you make there.
- Tailor your resume for each job you apply for.
- Be proactive in your job search by following up on a resume or interview.
- Describe your accomplishments on your resume, rather than your actual tasks.
- Don’t forget about the basics: resume, cover letter, and thank you notes.
- Build a presence on social media and allow recruiters to find you.
- Create a list of companies you want to work for and follow their activities (social media, press releases, news articles, events, etc.). Reach out to human resources or a specific manager and set up an informational interview.
- Proofread everything you send to recruiters and hiring managers (resumes, cover letters, emails).
- Learn new skills that are relevant for your desired profession.
Make sure your resolutions are measurable. For example, “I will attend three networking events a month” or “I will spend four hours a day applying to jobs.” This will set an achievable end goal for you to reach.
