January, the month with the most vacancies: prepare to stand out

Unfortunately, the current employment situation is worrying, so it is more important than ever to be well prepared and stand out from other candidates.

January and September are the months when more vacancies are published, so you have time to prepare and stand out among other candidates.

• Related article: "Types of Curriculum Vitae: The 4 CV models (advantages and disadvantages)"

Preparing to find a job

One of the problems that I see in most of the people I work with is the lack of clarity of their professional objective.; And sometimes when they do, there is a disconnect between their career goal and their skills, resume, experience and achievements, as well as their LinkedIn profile.

Although there are extreme situations, I like to help to think that the change of career, although sometimes it is forced, helps to change the course work, so I always encourage this circumstance to be used to the maximum to re-confirm what is the professional objective that is have.

The reality, unless you are lucky or lucky, is that we work our entire lives, and it is a sad to see that up to almost 80% of people work on something they don't like or don't have for talents.

Is lack of connection between what you want, what you have talents for and your passion, with what you are really practicing as a profession, is one of the biggest causes of frustration and stress.

Many of these cases attend to market situations, professionals who have no other option but to take any type of put by economic needs, and often inclined to study a career or practice a profession not by decisions own.

If you find yourself in this situation, consider that you have until January to focus on what you can control and take the necessary actions to maximize your chances of success.

What to do to find the job that fits you?

I share 10 suggestions for you to put into practice between now and January.

1. The importance of having a professional goal

Regardless of whether you have more experience or not, it is crucial to be clear about your professional objective, since it will be the basis for an effective job search. If you don't know where you want to go, how are you going to convince a recruiter.

It is important that you make an analysis of your abilities, achievements, personal characteristics, talents, values. This will help you to create your professional profile. Even if you want to change sector, country, industry, do not put it aside. It's going to take more effort, but that doesn't mean it's not possible. If you like something and are willing to work and be constant in the search, you will get it.

2. Self appraisal

It is very important that you do a self-assessment of your knowledge, skills, values, talents and experience to see how to manage your job search and create a firm plan.

It is also essential to take into account your achievements. This is a big mistake that I see in most people. They work for years, but are not aware of or keep track of what their accomplishments have been in their previous jobs. And after several years it is very difficult to remember.

Pay attention to achievements that can be quantified, since it is the best way to show the interviewer how you can contribute to the company. You help him see you at work.

3. Productivity report

Once you are clear about your professional objective, create an action plan that measures your productivity index. Your results will be proportional to your investment and your new job is looking for work, so your success depends largely on you.

Set daily and weekly priorities, and keep track of the vacancies you apply for, who you have contacted and when you have to follow up. What is not measured cannot be improved, and this productivity report will help you see how you are managing your search.

4. Mentors

Get inspired by people who have the position you want to have. Nowadays with social networks it is very easy to see their profiles, the terminology they use and how they are described. They are a very good source of inspiration to touch up your LinkedIn profile and to learn from them.

Dare to ask for advice. You will be surprised how willing people are to help and even be your mentor.

5. The important thing is not if you know it but if you do

Make decisions and risks. It's the only way to learn, even when you're wrong. It is important to plan and be clear about your professional objective, but the most important thing is to take action, since otherwise the previous work will not have served you at all.

Seek progress, not perfection, since perfection does not exist. If you can afford to wait until you find the perfect job then do it. For most, the current situation is not enough to miss opportunities, so do not hesitate to start in a job that is not ideal for you. The important thing is that, if possible, it somehow brings you new knowledge, and that you always have your final destination in mind.. Your goal. There are many ways to get to your destination, and sometimes the straight line is not the shortest way.

Sometimes you have to take a step back or side, to be able to take three steps forward.

6. Be an eternal student

Many people are of the opinion that you have to change jobs every 5 years. That depends on the country and the culture, but the most important thing is to change roles and continue developing as a professional. Don't stagnate. Because you never know when you will need to change jobs voluntarily or involuntarily.

You can have a very enriching career within a company. The important thing is not to stay in your comfort zone.

7. CV and cover letter

Do you know that your resume is most often read by a robot? This is one of the biggest mistakes I see in people. They use the same resume and cover letter for all the vacancies they apply for and that is what keeps them from being filtered.

You must customize your resume and cover letter using the keywords of the vacancy. It is not negotiable. Or you'll get frustrated applying without getting results.

Annually, review your career objective, your CV and LinkedIn profile. If you leave them, they will quickly become obsolete and then you will have a hard time getting it up to date. In addition, this allows you to take stock of your situation and know if it is still aligned with your long-term professional goal.

8. Be an eternal student

It is very important to be up to date with the needs of the market and your profession to stay competitive. It is important to be aware of direct knowledge of the job, such as new technologies, skills and languages.

Try to allocate time, and if you can budget, to do regular training. Today, thanks to the digital age, it is easy and cheap to stay educated and know the trends of the markets.

We are currently seeing the importance of globalization, mergers and commercial collaborations between companies, and the search for international expansion, which requires having resilient, agile employees with the ability to speak languages ​​and adapt to different cultures. Languages ​​can be your added value.

The labor market is going to be very competitive, so mastery of technology, languages ​​and specialization are added values, although always maintaining the agility to learn new areas.

9. Networking

Do you know that almost 80% of vacancies are not published and that 80% of vacancies are filled thanks to networking? Networking is the most important source of job opportunities and it must be included in your Career Plan.

Make a network chart of contacts: current clients, colleagues, former bosses, colleagues, clients, fellow students, parents of your children's friends, relatives... do not underestimate your contacts, because many times you will receive help from those who least expect you.

Have career conversations with them (don't ask for a job) to let them know in what process of change of career path you are and what are your target industries and companies, in case they know of a project or can introduce you to someone.

The same is true with social media, especially LinkedIn. Contact all these people, but It is important to do it when you already have your profile updated, since you want them to see the best version of you.

When applying for a vacancy, always try to contact the recruiters before and after the interview. It will make you stand out from other candidates.

10. Your professional brand

Throughout this process, your professional goal, your conversations and your interventions on social networks must be aligned. RRemember that your brand is what people think of you when you are not around.

If you want to be a sales director, communicate as such and share articles that are of interest to a sales director. If you want to be a photographer, get down to business and align your resume, LinkedIn profile, your cover letter and conversations, and speak like a photographer.

summarizing

Take charge of your professional future. The key to success is planning and a long-term vision and consistency in implementation.

Create your personal brand: career goal, resume, cover letter, career conversations, and LinkedIn profile.

What's more, the confidence and security you show when talking about your career path will be a magnet in your career conversations. And do not worry if you are changing course, sector or position, since it is something natural and healthy. The important thing is that it leads you to do the job you want and above all that you know how to explain it in the interview. Security is attractive, so if you are clear about your professional path and know how to explain them, you will convince them.

And always remember that the future is in your hands. If at any time you feel that you are begging a company, surely that job is not for you. Allow yourself to design your life and let no one design it for you.

Author: Nieves Rodríguez, Labor Orientation Coach; offers Job Orientation Coaching sessions as well as its online course "Get the job you want, without getting frustrated and in 3 simple steps".