As a New Year unfolds, we typically think about things we wish to do differently in the time ahead. We make conscious choices to change behaviors we believe no longer serve us.
If you are introverted or shy, you can consider making different choices with regard to your job search, as well – not choices that will fundamentally change who you are, but choices that will change how others perceive you and how effective you are in your efforts.
Here are some examples of possible New Year’s Job Hunt Resolutions:
- Resolve to deliberately make one additional networking contact per week (or, if you’re really ambitious, per day – or any other increment that represents an increase in your current level of activity). Learn to practice staying in touch – and concentrate on how you can be a resource for others. Adopt this strategy as part of your overall career management strategy and not just as a job search tactic.
- Resolve to practice extroverted behaviors so that those skills become better developed and are ready to use when you need them. Even if certain activities make you uncomfortable, do them anyway – you’ll most likely find that the discomfort decreases and the skill increases.
- Resolve to find ways to promote yourself at appropriate times, both in the job search and during your career (see Alternatives to Self-Promotion for suggesions). Capitalize on your introverted strengths to help you define your unique brand.
- Resolve to try new job search strategies. For example, if you’ve never worked with a recruiter before, or you’ve never used a social/professional networking site, add those into the mix.
- Resolve to improve your job search record keeping. Get in the habit of documenting your job search activities – pay particular attention to how much time you spend on different tasks to be sure you don’t focus too heavily on solitary activities. [See Job-Hunt’s Tracking Your Activities article for more information.]
- Resolve to keep your resume current once you land. Get in the habit of documenting your career accomplishments while the information is fresh in your mind, and always have a current and up-to-date version of your resume. In our ever-changing economy, it’s best always to be prepared for a transition.
- Resolve to keep your skills current. The best way to ensure your future marketability is to make sure your skills are up to date. Take workshops, join a professional association or discussion group, read about new trends – stay current.
May the New Year bring you gainful employment and prosperity.
About the author…
Wendy Gelberg is a Career Navigator at JVS CareerSolution in Boston and author of The Successful Introvert: How to Enhance Your Job Search and Advance Your Career. She is a certified career coach and resume writer whose expertise is in helping people who are uncomfortable “tooting their own horn.” Wendy writes resumes, gives workshops, coaches individuals, and writes articles and blogs on all aspects of the job search process. Samples of her resumes and career advice appear in over 20 books. Wendy has been a career coach and resume writer for over 15 years. She has been an introvert her whole life. Contact Wendy at [email protected].
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