2012 has come and gone and now 2013 has arrived. Many people have made New Year’s resolutions and it’s a safe bet that many of these resolutions involve finding a new job. Across the world millions of people are still unemployed or working part-time while looking for a full-time job. Others are simply unhappy with their career and are looking for a fresh start. While finding a new job in a stagnant economy can be a tough task there are numerous steps you can take to improve your likelihood of success.
The first step is remaining upbeat and dedicated to your job hunt. When there’s a high unemployment rate most open positions will receive many, many resumes. You will most likely have to apply to dozens of jobs before you find the right fit but the harder and longer you search the more likely you will be successful.
You also have to find ways to distinguish yourself. What makes you unique? What interesting and hard-to-find qualifications do you possess? If you don’t possess any such qualifications now, how can you develop them? Perhaps there are volunteer opportunities related to your career field? For example, if you are an accountant you could volunteer with local Accounting or Finance Chapters such as The Institute of Management Accountants or Financial Executives International. Volunteering on a board will help you build your resume while also allowing you to contribute to the community.
Further, it is essential to build a high-quality resume. With a resume you usually get less than a minute to make an impression, so exactly what information do you want to convey? Your resume should highlight your qualifications while not being overly verbose. You should also use bullet points and other methods to present information in a clear and concise manner.
Also, make sure you take the time to write a customized cover letter for each position you are applying for. This cover letter should demonstrate that you are familiar with the company and also why you’d be the right fit.
You may need to search far and wide for your next job. Is it possible for you to move to another city or region with a stronger economy? While some areas are struggling, many others are booming. Consider North Dakota in the United States, which is undergoing an oil boom. While many parts of the U.S.A. are struggling, North Dakota is facing a serious labor shortage in a variety of areas, including administration and other jobs that do not require highly specialized education. An applicant will have a much better chance of finding a job in North Dakota than in struggling Detroit, Michigan. Fortunately Texas continues to lead strong employment for the country similar to North Dakota and most days it is warmer in Texas.
Remaining flexible on your feet and dedicated to your hunt are both essential for finding the right job. While the times are tough there are still plenty of open positions out there, so with dedication and perseverance you can land the right position. Your job hunt may require a lot of time and effort but for most it will turn out to be well worth it in the end.
