Looking for a fresh start in a new job? The new year is a great time to get started. There’s a lot to keep in mind when you’re beginning your job search, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Read on to learn more about how to land your dream job!

Update Your Digital Presence

While it’s important to spend plenty of time looking for jobs, it’s also nice when the jobs come looking for you! Keeping an up-to-date, complete LinkedIn profile can make you more visible to headhunters and recruiters. Don’t hesitate to play up your skills and talk about your accomplishments. Your LinkedIn profile is a place to show off, and you want to make sure you’re attracting the right kinds of people. Be sure your profile is loaded with important keywords, and add details about all the jobs you’ve worked., so it’s clear exactly what skills you have. Having a complete LinkedIn profile can also be helpful if you’re applying to jobs directly through LinkedIn, as it will autocomplete parts of the application. In addition, you can post your resume on sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter and CareerBuilder, and you can get job matches sent directly to your inbox.

Revise Your Resume

It’s always a good idea to keep your resume up to date, even if you aren’t currently in a job search. Further, if you have the time, it may be smart to tailor your resume for each of the jobs you apply to (especially ones you’re really vying for). If you choose to do so, you can highlight the skills and positions that are relevant to the job you’re applying to, while leaving off any all the unnecessary information. This could give you a leg up on the competition. Keep your resume as brief as possible, and make sure it flows smoothly from start to finish. Remember, make sure you use solid keywords that describe your skillset to maximize the chances that your resume won’t be screened out by a computer.

Stay Organized

The more jobs you’re applying to, the more it’s important to stay organized. If you’re applying to and interviewing for multiple positions at once, make sure you keep your information straight. Put together a spreadsheet or a document with the name of each position, a link to the online job posting, and the names and contact information of anyone you’ve spoken to regarding the position. You can also keep track of the date the position was posted, the date you applied to it, and the status of your application (if that information is available). Keeping this data all in one place makes it easy for you to visualize your progress and track all your applications.

Network, Network, Network

Make everyone aware that you’re on the hunt for a new job – friends, coworkers (if possible), and other acquaintances. While online networking on LinkedIn and other similar sites is great, in-person networking can be just as powerful. Attend professional events in your area, and any lectures that may be relevant to your industry. Keep your business card and resume on hand, and be prepared to talk it up! Making personal connections is a great way to leave a good impression. Even if the people you meet can’t help you right at that moment, they may be of service later, and having your name in the back of their mind can really make a difference.

Find More Job Search Tips

If you’re looking to land a new position this year, contact us. Bishop & Co. is happy to serve job seekers in Hawaii, and would love to help match you with the job of your dreams!

For more job search tips, check out this blog post.