Summer is coming to a close, and September is right around the corner. That means it's time to hang-up the beach bag, dry-out the swim trunks and focus on career advancement. Here are five tips to help job seekers get out of their Summer "career coma" and focus on Fall career success:
1. Create and Control Your Internet Image
Whether it's LinkedIn, You Tube, Face Book, or VisualCV, every professional should have an online presence. Many employers research job candidates on the Internet before making hiring decisions. Therefore, it is vitally important that you take control of your online identity, and carefully monitor the "personal brand" you're building on the Internet.
2. Invest in Career Coaching
It might seem that career coaching would be a luxury in this difficult economic climate. But this might be the best time to get some short-term, high-impact coaching in a program like Career QuickStart. A qualified Career Coach can help you get totally clear on your objective, differentiate yourself from the competition, market yourself effectively, get the offer, and negotiate the best compensation.
3. Tune into the network
September is one of the best times of the year to make new connections and find new opportunities. With everyone returning from vacation and re-focusing on work, there are many Fall networking events, planning meetings, and social group happenings.
4. Perform an internal career audit
Fall is a perfect time to take an honest look at your career - where you've been, where you are today, and where you'd like to go. Identify new goals based on your own definition of career success, and then take action.
5. Update your career "tool kit." Most job seekers use only their rsum as the cornerstone of their search because their other "tools" are weak or nonexistent. But there are many other documents you should have in your "career tool kit," including your accomplishment stories, positioning statement, target company list, contact list, professional references, and letters of recommendation. These items are important not just to secure the next job, but also to maximize your long-term career success.
There really couldn't be a better time than September to launch a professional job search. Hiring managers are back in their offices, making employment decisions for the Fall and early 2009. So, do whatever you have to and get the help you need, to ensure that you'll be at the top of your game and land the job you really want!
