5 Tips to Land a New Job in the New Year

It’s getting towards that time of year again! No, I’m not referring to the holiday season. I’m talking about the time when you reflect on the past, look forward to the approaching year, and set some resolutions.

Have you thought about setting resolutions related to your career? Are you ready to make a job change? Are you deserving of a higher salary? If you have a resolution that has anything to do with your career, don’t wait until January! After the whirlwind of a year that 2021 has been, why not get a jumpstart on your resolutions now? Follow these 5 tips to land your dream job in the new year.

1. Update your resume

First things first, you need an effective resume to help you land a job. This means adding keywords, appropriate experience, and using correct formatting and style. 2022 is rapidly approaching. If you want to efficiently create a strong resume, hire a professional resume writer.

This is truly the most efficient way to update your resume because professional resume writers know the proper format, wording, and content to create a resume that will land you interviews. In no time you will be applying to jobs knowing your resume will not be eliminated by an ATS-system and will reach recruiters.

Yes, hiring someone is an investment, but it is worth it. If the cost is a concern for you, there are resume writing companies that provide payment options to help make their services more feasible. You could also think about adding “resume update” to your holiday gift list! A resume is an investment in yourself that I’m certain you will thank yourself for when you’re working for your dream company.

2. Update your LinkedIn

Your next step is to update your LinkedIn profile, which is just as important as writing a strong resume. Your LinkedIn is, as I like to call it, your “virtual business card.” Your profile is your resume plus experience and information that could not fit on or wasn’t appropriate for your resume. For example, college projects and courses should not be on your resume (unless you are a student or recent graduate) but can be included on your LinkedIn.

While coursework, serving on a Board of Trustees, or volunteering at a local organization are important, they are often best for your LinkedIn profile, especially when they do not directly relate to your target job or do not help you fulfill a job position requirement that your work history fails to meet.

3. Network

Networking is one of the best ways to land a job. You can do this by utilizing LinkedIn, talking with friends and family, or even catching up with old colleagues. Regardless of the method, networking separates you from the rest of the job candidate pool because it creates a connection that cannot be accomplished with only a resume. If you’re new to networking online, check out our article on the “do’s and don’ts.”

4. Research your desired industry

All of the 3 tips mentioned above are essential, but don’t forget to research your industry before gearing your resume and LinkedIn profile towards it! Is your desired industry expected to thrive within the next few years or is it a dying industry? Does your dream position require a certain degree or certification? There are many questions to consider before spending ample amounts of time and energy working towards your dream role in an unfamiliar industry, or even one that you’ve been working in that is not allowing you to prosper in the way you thought it would. I highly recommend researching your desired industry alongside the roles you’re interested in prior to applying to them.

5. Ace your Interview

Your resume has passed the ATS and you’ve been offered an interview. Now, you need to ace the interview. This means impressing the interviewer and clearly answering questions.

After the interview, follow up! This can expedite the interview process, demonstrates your interest, and exhibits professionalism. A few hours after your interview, send a message thanking the contact for their time and mentioning a memorable part of your conversation. Check out this article for more tips on how to ace your interviews.

Now that you know the most effective tips to land a job, the only way you’ll get closer to being hired is by starting now! BrandResumes is ready to help you land that job through the plethora of services offered, such as professional resume writing and LinkedIn profile optimizations. The job-seeking process can be draining, but you will be happy you persevered when you are working at your new job!