1. Lose 20 lbs.
2. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
3. Walk 30 minutes each day.
4. Send birthday cards to all friends and family.
5. Make a budget and stick to it!
These are great resolutions to shrink your waistline and lower your blood pressure, but what about your job situation? It’s time to take a hard look at the past year’s efforts and resolve to make some changes in your job search strategy. If you’re still unemployed, it’s time to change your strategy, target market or career track.
1. Stop looking through the “Rose-Colored Glasses.” Or, be realistic. A lot of the jobs that disappeared in the two or so years of the economic downturn are not coming back. If you were in a career that has gone away or is going away, wishing and hoping it will come back is just wasting your time. One career track that is shrinking is on-site human resources professionals. With so much of the data and document processing done online, companies can get along with training someone in Accounting or Administration to handle the HR function. Add a consultant or attorney for the tough stuff, and goodbye HR Department.
3. Walk 30 minutes each day.
4. Send birthday cards to all friends and family.
5. Make a budget and stick to it!
These are great resolutions to shrink your waistline and lower your blood pressure, but what about your job situation? It’s time to take a hard look at the past year’s efforts and resolve to make some changes in your job search strategy. If you’re still unemployed, it’s time to change your strategy, target market or career track.
1. Stop looking through the “Rose-Colored Glasses.” Or, be realistic. A lot of the jobs that disappeared in the two or so years of the economic downturn are not coming back. If you were in a career that has gone away or is going away, wishing and hoping it will come back is just wasting your time. One career track that is shrinking is on-site human resources professionals. With so much of the data and document processing done online, companies can get along with training someone in Accounting or Administration to handle the HR function. Add a consultant or attorney for the tough stuff, and goodbye HR Department.
2. Get More Education and Training. There are lots of MBAs looking for jobs, and employers can hire them in at a lower rate than an experienced applicant. Now’s the time to finish your MBA or get certified or licensed. The days of sliding into a management slot without a degree or certification are gone.
3. Upgrade your appearance. This is a tough one, but if you are overweight, out of shape, showing your age or just let yourself go, take a good look in the mirror. Lengthy unemployment does something to your mental attitude and the will to keep up appearances. Employers are looking at social media sites to see just who is applying, and what they see can hurt you. Schedule a “maintenance day” at a local spa, update your hair color, and get a great interview outfit. Cut out white carbohydrates and sugar for a couple of weeks to drop some extra pounds. Not only will you feel better, but your new attitude will be reflected in your face, step and overall appearance.
4. Consider Self-Employment. There are so many new markets and services to explore. How can you use your talents and experience to provide products or services to companies or individuals? Online sites like http://www.etsy.com/ or http://www.elance.com/ offer ways to set up your own online shop or bid on thousands of jobs in technology, communications or consulting. Instead of waiting for an employer to call, be proactive and begin to chart your own course.
5. Get a Financial Checkup. Meet with a financial planner or your accountant to go over your finances. You may be on the edge of collapse yet sitting on assets that could help ease the financial burden and stress while you look for another job. While this goes against all conventional wisdom, cashing in a 401K or IRA can be a good move if it keeps you from foreclosure or defaulting on other debt. It’s difficult to see your way out of a financial crisis without professional help. Facing reality and working out a plan to sustain or improve the situation can be a stress reliever while you look for the job that will build a brighter financial future.
What job search resolutions have you made for the New Year? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for phillyjobs.com. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients reinvent their careers for today’s job market. You can read more of her blogs at phillyjobs.com and view additional job postings on Beyond.com.
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