5 Ways to Jump-Start Your Job Search in 2019

In our previous blog post (the last one of 2018), we discussed "How to Quit Your Job the Right Way in 2019." Well, now 2019 is here. But what if you're not quite ready to quit your job?

What if you haven't found another employment opportunity that would convince you to quit your job? What if you haven't even started your job search?

Although the New Year has already begun, it's never too late for a fresh start - and that includes for your employment situation and your career. So with that in mind, below are five ways to jump-start your job search in 2019:

#1 - Update your resume.

Okay, you had to expect this would be on the list. And yes, everybody is busy. But you should be updating your resume even if you're not actively engaged in a job search. So if you ARE actively engaged in a job search, then it means you should absolutely update your resume. (And you should keep it updated on a consistent basis.)

#2 - Update your LinkedIn profile.

This is the one that some people miss. They update their resume, but then they forget to also update their LinkedIn profile. Or they do the opposite. They update their LinkedIn profile and then expect that to serve as a substitute for their resume. Both approaches are incorrect.

Your resume and LinkedIn profile are equally important. Update them both, and ideally, update them at the same time so they reflect each other accurately. Discrepancies between the two will not work in your favor.

#3 - Update and prepare your references.

You can't let your list of references get "stale," either. At the very least, you should have three professional references who can talk with a prospective employer about your skills, experience, and other qualifications.

Optimally, you should have three really good references and then another three or four additional references that you can use if the need arises. It would be best to use previous supervisors as a reference, but you can also use past co-workers and colleagues, including those who may have reported to you if you were in a management or supervisory position.

#4 - Activate and (continuously) engage your network.

Yes, you have connections on LinkedIn. Yes, you have friends and colleagues, some of whom you've worked with in the past. Only reaching out to these people when you want something from them is not good form. Once again, you're busy. But so is everybody else. As such, that is not an adequate excuse for poor networking activity.

Engage your network online and in person as much as you can. Consider volunteering, especially if you can volunteer for organizations or activities that are related to your line of work. You never know who you're going to meet and how that meeting will impact your career.

#5 - Work on your personal brand.

Do you know what your specific personal brand is? If not, then it will be difficult to work on it. What kind of experience do you provide for other people? Jay Danzie said, "Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark." The more positive your personal brand is, the more success you will enjoy in your current job and also in your career.

Are you currently engaged in a job search? Then Time Staffing can help!

Contact us today to find out about the employment opportunities that are available in your chosen field.