With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, it’s easy to feel a little extra lucky these days. That mindset will come in handy especially if you’re on the hunt for a new job or career.
You’re not alone. During the pandemic, many workers reprioritized their goals, taking a chance with a job or career switch during a time of great uncertainty.
The good news is that you won’t necessarily need the help of a four-leaf clover as you pursue your dream job or change careers (but it certainly doesn’t hurt). Either way, the following pieces of advice will let you create your own luck and stand out from the rest in the field.
Show genuine interest
Researching a company is the bare minimum you should do as you begin to submit resumes and receive calls for prescreening and interviews.
By learning as much as possible about the company, you can enter the conversation from the perspective of how you can help the company achieve its goals. Too many times, interviewees will focus on what they can do or have done instead of communicating how they will fit and contribute as a member of the team.
Candidates with a firm understanding of the company’s goals, values and culture also demonstrate to the hiring team a willingness to learn and immerse oneself in the company.
Word choice
In writing a resume, word choice boils down to strategy. As you update your professional work experience, it’s important to tailor your resume with keywords that are likely to be picked up by human and electronic screening.
One tactic is to carefully review the job description for a position you desire. Highlight the top 10 or so keywords used to describe the primary responsibilities and qualification requirements. Use those words wisely to describe your own work experience, but avoid phrasing verbatim. The objective here is to let the employer know you speak their language and have valuable experience or a deep desire to carry out the duties.
Rise to the occasion
Take on a challenge. Apply and interview for the so-called “reach” job. Applying for a new gig, especially one that puts more responsibility on your shoulders, is a risk that will lead to new challenges.
As intimidating as that predicament might be, it’s so important to push yourself and build the confidence to step outside your comfort zone and apply for a job that represents multiple steps forward in your career.
Ask for help
Finding a job might seem like a solo endeavor, but it’s less stressful with help from others. So, don’t be shy to ask for some assistance. You can turn to mentors, managers, job recruiters and HR personnel, just to name a few sources.
And the great part is that you can ask for help at any point in your job hunt. Whether you’re looking for job leads with the area’s most exciting companies or would love some “insider” information on an organization you have an eye on, a little help from your biggest supporters can go a long way.
Update your LinkedIn
LinkedIn gets a lot of traffic from folks within professional circles. Its powerful influence as a top job networking site encourages companies to rely on it for tools and guidance during their recruitment and hiring efforts.
A complete profile with a well-thought-out summary will speak to your work experience, education, skills, training, professional interests and also tell a little bit about your career pathway and what makes you tick.
At the very least, an updated profile increases your chances of catching the recruiter’s eye, which can initiate the recruitment process and ultimately lead to a job.
If you need any other help, or are seeking job openings in the health care or IT industries, then you are in the right place! Check out our career page for current job openings we have. Contact us if you have any questions.
