Is your New Year’s Resolution for 2022 to find a new job? After two years of pandemic job losses, the Great Resignation, and the typical employment turnover, lots of people are looking to find a new job this year.
If finding a new job or developing your career or professional reputation is your focus for 2022, here are 5 of the Best New Year’s Resolutions for 2022.
1. Clean Up Your Digital Footprint
When I start working with a new client, I always start by having them do an audit of their digital footprint.
The reason is quite simple. The first thing a potential employer does when you apply for a new job is Google you.
Do you know what pops up first when someone searches your name on the Internet?
If not, give it a try and find out for yourself.
If you are in the midst of a job search or hope to get a promotion or make professional contacts, LinkedIn is one of the most important tools you can use.
But hiring managers, colleagues, and new contacts are just as likely to look at your Instagram or Facebook or any one of a number of social media accounts you use regularly.
And they aren’t just looking at the posts you are making. They are also looking at what you are liking or commenting on.
Critically assess what you are doing online and how you might be perceived.
Do you want a potential recruiter to see that photo of you from 10 years ago doing a keg stand at a bachelor party?
Ensure any private content is indeed set to private.
And if you’ve made derogatory comments, consider cleaning those up as well.
This is a good time to delete any photos, memes, or other content that may raise questions about your professionalism and overall reputation.
If you want to find a new job or for anything career-related, LinkedIn will be your primary digital platform.
In future episodes, I plan to address how to optimize your LinkedIn profile. But for now, take a look at your LinkedIn profile and see what you can do to update it.
Is your title correct? Or have you been promoted or moved companies? If so, update that.
Does your picture look like you? If your picture is 10 years old or you look significantly different in real life, change your photo to reflect reality.
Also, is your contact information accurate? One of the most common mistakes on LinkedIn profiles is out-of-date email addresses.
2. Revise Your Resume
Most people wait to update their resume until it is time to find a new job. This is not the best approach.
If you wait to update your resume until you are looking for a new job, you are already behind.
When COVID first started and people were laid off or terminated unexpectedly, many were unprepared.
Some of these people had been in their jobs for 5, 10, even 20 years. Because they had been with the same company for so long, they never updated their resumes.
Trying to remember all the accomplishments and projects from the last decade when you are unemployed and stressed seldom result in well-written resumes.
Also, resumes trends are constantly changing.
Formatting, terminology, and information that was used on resumes 10 years ago are no longer appropriate.
Whether you are trying to find a new job or not, revise your resume regularly. Make sure the formatting is correct, include the right information and exclude unnecessary information.
Most importantly, your resume needs to be ATS compliant.
If you are unfamiliar with an ATS resume, check out this video.
3. Create a Job Search Routine
Whether you are looking to find a new job or simply want to up your professional game, create a routine to accomplish those goals.
Determine how much time you can dedicate to your job search or upskilling.
Be sure to be realistic. Some experts suggest job seekers should treat their job search as a ‘full-time job.’ That’s not always possible.
Develop a routine that you can realistically use and consistently execute.
4. Do Your Research
Research is a crucial part of any job search and growing your career.
Make lists of companies that interest you. Visit their websites to get a better understanding of what they stand for and the challenges they are encountering or initiatives in development.
Reach out to people who work at those companies and/or visit websites like Glassdoor and read reviews to get an idea of what it’s like to work for those organizations.
Again, follow those companies on LinkedIn so you can stay up to date with news and job postings.
5. Practice Your Interviewing Skills
If I had to guess, I would say the three biggest fears most people have are public speaking, talking to strangers, and job interviews.
And really, job interviews involve talking to strangers and public speaking.
Since so many people fear interviews, practice getting comfortable in front of the camera since many interviews are now done via Zoom.
And prepare to discuss common, often tricky questions about employment gaps, your interest in the position, and why you are leaving your current job.
There are many more ways to prepare to find a new job in 2022, but these should get you started on the right foot.
