Updated on DECEMBER 17, 2019 by JOSEPH MERCER
The new year brings the hope of new opportunities and change
for many individuals. Many people are making New Year’s resolutions to do
everything from getting in better shape to quitting smoking. But what about
that old job that you have been working on for years that seems to be going
nowhere? Or what about those that are still struggling to find gainful
employment.
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| 10 Tips for Getting Your Dream Job in 2020 |
Well, 2020 is a great year to look into gaining better
employment, improving your quality of life and getting on the pathway to
success. The ManpowerGroup North America, based out of Milwaukee, recently
predicted employment increases in many sectors of the American job market in a
recent Employment Outlook Survey, which highlights the employment plans of
employers across America.
With those facts in mind, we need to start preparing now to be
ready to take advantage of employment opportunities in the year 2020.
Here are my ten tips for getting that dream job in 2020.
1. Create a Listing of Your Accomplishments
Tracking your accomplishments equips you with the
foundation information needed for the resume and interview phases of the job
search process. An accomplishments list is a record of the accomplishments and
achievements you have obtained in your career. It outlines the major
contributions you have made to each career position you’ve held and any
recognition you received on or off the job. It is not a description of your
job duties; it describes the results from you doing these duties.2. Build a Recommendations Portfolio
The cornerstone of any Job Seeker's employment campaign
should always be their recommendations. You should reach out to people you know
and trust and try to gain good recommendations from them and ask if you can
also use them as a reference for any potential employer inquiries. Be sure to
obtain their current phone numbers, email addresses, and appropriate times to
call. LinkedIn is an excellent platform for requesting and displaying
recommendations.
3. Manage Your Online Reputation
These days your online reputation is often reviewed by
potential employers when considering you for employment. In many cases, your
social profiles will be the source of your first impression to the hiring
authority. So, get some professional-looking photos on your LinkedIn profile
and other professional networking sites. Update your LinkedIn profile and
optimize it so that it has the most UpToDate information, contacts,
recommendations, skill information, etc. These factors will go a long way to
making a positive first impression on a potential employer and provide a chance
for you to highlight your skills and accomplishments.4. Create a Professional Development Plan
What is a professional development plan, and why is it
important for those currently in the job market?
A professional development plan is a list of actionable
steps to achieve career goals. Not only does it help you to define your
aspirations for the future, but it also shows potential employers that you are
seeking continual improvement and that you will become an even greater asset to
their organization in the future. Things that should be included in your development
plan are reading lists, certifications to obtain, seminars to attend, and professional
training and college courses.
5. Join Professional Organizations
Joining a professional organization or club related to your
job field is a very important step for a job seeker. First, it is a great
networking opportunity where you will meet lots of people in your field and
sometimes potential employers. Second, professional organizations provide
insight into the type of skills and certifications required to advance within
your career field. Most importantly, stating that you are a member of a
professional organization on your resume shows that you are an active member of
your career community and that you consider your employment as a profession and
not just a job.
6. Review Job Listings
When you first start to look for a new job, it is important
to do your research and get to know what is available out in the job market. In
other words, do your research. Don’t just look for variations of your current
job; look for career alternatives as well. Create a target list of companies
that you would like to work for and the types of employment opportunities that
you would like to pursue. Finally, create job alerts on popular job search
websites that will inform you when jobs that fit your search profile are
available.7. Set Aside a Daily Time for Job Searching
To be successful in your job search, you have to be
consistent. The best way to do this is to have a dedicated time set aside each
day to work on your job searches and your application submissions. This time could
be in the morning before your day gets busy or in the evening before you go to
bed. Whenever you decide, make a ritual out of it and stick with it.
8. Update Your Resume and Cover Letters
A blanket resume designed to fit all positions is no longer
an option in today’s job market. You need to keep your resume updated and
ensure that you tailor each resume submission to fit the requirements of each
job announcement. Make sure to identify all applicable skill sets required for
the position and you highlight your accomplishments rather than your duties.
Your cover letter should not restate your resume. It should highlight how you
plan to contribute to the employer’s organization and the skills and experience
that you have to offer them.9. Know Your Worth
One of the most important aspects to think about when
considering new employment is how much you are going to get paid. You should
conduct salary research within your career field to set reasonable expectations
for yourself when conducting job searches and conducting interviews.
10. Refresh Your Wardrobe
As previously stated, a great first impression goes a long
way with hiring officials. Updating your interview attire is a simple way to
gain a win in the first impression category.
Thank you for reading — it means a lot to me. I appreciate your sharing as well. Please follow me on Medium, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn — I’d love to connect and be a part of your network team. On social media I share my own articles, but also those that I find helpful and relevant to business, success, entrepreneurship, leadership, community enhancement, and personal development. You can find out more about me at career-moviation.com.
