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Ready for a New Career Challenge? 5 Ways to Position Yourself for a New Job in 2022

by CCWC | Feb 8, 2022 | Features, Career

One of the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is The Great Resignation. Since 2020, more than 4.5 million people have resigned from their jobs to explore new career paths.

So, if you’re ready to make a pivot in your career, there may be plenty of exciting opportunities available. Here are 5 ways to position yourself for a new job in 2022.

1. Update your resume and LinkedIn Profile.

Your resume is a marketing tool that must accurately reflect your value proposition. An outdated and ineffective resume can hinder your job search.

Ideally, you should update your resume once a year and each time you get a new position. After all, you never know when a job opportunity will come your way. Having an updated resume on hand allows you to take immediate action.

Use the following tips to update your resume:

Delete old positions that aren’t relevant to your career path.
Update your skills and proficiencies.
Include keywords on your resume that are associated with your industry.
Improve your resume’s readability by using a standard font and ample white space.
Refresh your email address and other contact information.
Remove your physical address from your resume.
Proofread your resume for grammatical and spelling errors.
Use action verbs when describing the tasks that you have performed.
Omit any outdated phrases such as ‘reference available upon request’.
Include quantifiable results when describing your job achievements.

An updated LinkedIn profile is also an essential part of your job search. Omit any industry buzzwords that aren’t adding value to your personal brand. Update your photo. Build your professional network. Personalize your LinkedIn background cover.

2. Tap into the hidden job market.

For various reasons, many companies don’t post their job openings publicly. They prefer to hire from within or through referrals from current employees. This is often referred to as the hidden job market.

Accessing unadvertised positions requires you to step out of your comfort zone. You’ll have to network and develop relationships with new people. You can also reach out to your existing contacts to inquire about hidden job opportunities at their companies.

Other ways to access the hidden job market are:

Get active on social media sites such as LinkedIn.
Contact external and internal recruiters.
Join professional organizations and networking groups.

3. Attend virtual career fairs.

Wouldn’t it be convenient to get job offers from the comfort of your home? That can happen when you attend virtual career fairs.

The ongoing pandemic has disrupted the way companies hire new employees. Instead of attending in-person job fairs, many companies are hosting them online.

Things to remember when attending a virtual job fair:

Learn about the companies that will be represented.
Wear business attire.
Arrive to each session on time.
Limit background noises and distractions.
Prepare talking points.
Ask questions when appropriate.

4. Get clear about your career goals.

Think about why you want to get a new job. Have you outgrown your current role? Do you want to avoid a potential layoff because your company may be downsizing? Would you like to advance your career in a different industry? Or do you want to maximize your earning potential?

Whatever the reason, it’s essential that you understand what’s driving your desire to change careers. That way, you can be intentional about your job search and only apply for positions that meet your goals.

5. Create a personal website.

Successful job candidates know the value of marketing themselves. They understand that they must overcome any fear of rejection or putting themselves in the spotlight.

You can’t be shy about looking for opportunities and expect to get noticed by top recruiters. Sometimes, you have to get comfortable with tooting your own horn.

A personal website is a good place to showcase your accomplishments and achievements. Be sure to optimize it with keywords in your industry. Your website should include a blog so you can provide industry insights and videos of your speaking engagements.

You can build a website without professional help. If you don’t have the time or desire to build a website, hire a web designer. After all, a personal website is a career investment that can pay dividends in the future.

Now is the time to reignite your career. Get back in the driver’s seat of your job search by applying these tips to position your self for a new job.

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