Feel like you are stuck in a place at work and don’t know how to get out? Scared to take that next big step? Guess what? We all are. Here are a few tips to help you on your way to finding a career, not just a job.
1. Know what you are passionate about and where you want your career to lead. When you know what you are passionate about it is much easier to narrow down your search for a job.
2. Come up with a plan on how to get there. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! Figure out what companies around you that could be a good fit and learn all you can about them before applying. Be an expert in them and you will definitely impress.
3. Make sure your resume looks clean and up to date. Update your resume. Make sure it is clean, concise (1 page), and easy to read. Add a pop of color to make it stand out but not too much for it to be overwhelming. If you are going for a designed resume remember that some employers will print it out so don’t waste your ink on a colored background even though it may look nice on your computer. Get someone to proof read it, ask your friends or your parents about what they think and what changes could be made to make it better!
4. Get a professional headshot. The first thing a employer will most likely do is check out your social media presence. First and foremost, hide or DELETE all those embarrassing photos of yourself. The last thing you want is for a potential employer to do some social media stalking to find an old photo of you in a compromising position. Get a professional to take a photo of you as well. There is nothing more inviting for an employer than to see someone that looks professional right off the bat.
5. Learn a new skill that is relevant to your desired profession. A great place to do that is YouTube. They have videos that can help you learn anything. Growing yourself and your skills is a desirable attribute in any employee.
6. Network. Go to events where other people in your same field will be. Network with them, see if they have any ideas of how to get into the industry or if they have any contacts that they know are looking for a new employee.
7. Display your Work. If you can, display your work somewhere. A portfolio website is always a good idea.
8. Create Job Alerts. Having a website send you alerts to relevant job postings will make sure that you are aware of all opportunities. Jump on them ASAP and get to the head of the resume pile.
Remember to get where you want to be, sometimes you have to start at the bottom, take an internship if you don’t have any experience. The best thing I ever did was save up enough to quit a job that I hated to really figure out where I wanted to be. If I can do it, you can do it too. Don’t be afraid to take a chance.
