5 Steps to Landing Your Next Job

What is your dream job? Where do you see yourself professionally in 3-5 years? Do you have a plan for your career and what does it entail? What are your strengths; skills, talents and abilities? As a Career Coach, I’ve posed these questions countless times and I’m typically not surprised when clients, friends and relatives don’t have the answers. As a matter of fact, these questions can be overwhelming! I, too was a person who sought employment, worked full-time, performed well in various positions and had no career objectives. When I hear those magic words “I don’t know” in response to the aforementioned questions, I immediately recognize potential, hope and the rewards that are yet to come. Reason being, I have been in the other person’s shoes, so I can share perspective and experience that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Let me ask you:

• Are you currently employed?
• Do you love what you do professionally?
• Are you growing professionally or are you comfortable and stagnant?
• Do you dread going to work?

Based on your responses, you might be someone who is making an enormous professional investment and not receiving proportionate rewards. Conversely, you could be someone who needs to identify what positions they qualify for as they seek employment. If either is true for you, consider the following:

1. Get to know yourself. Spend 15 minutes per week for the rest of the year thinking about you. Ask yourself, “Who am I?” Capture your responses and gain clarity about who you are as well as who you’re not. Be ok with those areas that require improvement in your life; strive to improve in those areas. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s awareness and excellence.
2. Visit My Next Move.org to complete a free assessment that suggests careers matching interests and training based on your responses. You can use the results to transition into a different position/industry or to identify opportunities you had not considered previously.
3. Review the results of the assessment to identify 3 positions you’d love to obtain or that you feel you can excel in. Identify 1-2 positions that stretch you, i.e. may require more education, skills training, etc. Consider these roles when you create your plan in the next step.
4. Create a plan. Whether you’re employed or unemployed, you can use the roles you’ve identified in the previous step as future options on your career path. Your plan should include what you’ll need to do to apply for the role, how many roles you will apply for weekly and how you will handle rejection should it arise. Please know that certain aspects of the job search are mental, so you have to believe in yourself while recognizing discouragement is a part of being human.
5. Rock the resume! Your resume is the “non-verbal” you. It speaks to recruiters and hiring managers within your city, state; in this country and around the globe when you haven’t had the opportunity to speak for yourself. You can’t afford to have mistakes on your resume. You can’t afford to NOT tailor your resume to the role you are applying for, so if you need assistance in this area, ask for help!

Beyond the resume, there is the cover letter, the portfolio, professional appearance, managing your brand on social media, company research, networking and last but certainly not least, preparation for a successful interview. These topics can be added to your plan in step 4 depending on what your experience is as a candidate. Ultimately you should: know who you are, have a plan and seek options that will not only help you land employment, but ones that will help you land the role of your dreams.

Should you need career advice or have questions, email me: Ask_Ericka@MetrolinaJobs.com