It’s 2019! Happy New Year to you.

As you have begun to make resolutions, goals, and kick out bad habits – you may have a goal (or two) that involves a career change. Maybe you’re looking to start your own business, acquire a new position or switch companies; maybe you just want to earn a lot more money no matter the method. (Be careful there!) Either way, to grow professionally, some investment must be made into your marketability.

Ask yourself, what will make me stand out from the other applicants going for the job I want?

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To start, you must have the basics:

A Professional ResumeThe free resume that your aunt, cousin, or sister did for you likely won’t cut it, unless they have expert knowledge of Applicant Tracking Systems and can keyword optimize it for you. A professional document outlining your skills is the first impression an employer has of you, so it should be really good. Make the investment even if you have no plans to get another job. Think of it like car insurance (it’s annoying to maintain it, but it sure provides some relief when you do need it). The criteria for resumes change year over year, so you’ll want to keep it updated consistently. Here are two old, but necessary tips for your resume:

• If you still have your full home address on your resume, take it off! Your address goes on the job application, not your resume. Listing Major City and State is perfectly acceptable.
• As you take on a new project, develop a skill, or learn anything new at your current position, make a formal note of it, that way when you decide to update your resume, you aren’t struggling to remember of all those things to add into it.

Ready to get your resume revamped? Need a new one altogether? Click to see my resume packages and book your initial consultation.

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A Letter of Interest (Cover Letter)Some companies require a cover letter and others simply appreciate it when they receive an application with one attached. Because not everyone attaches a cover letter, this is a good way to stand out, communicate your interest, and add a personal touch. Cover Letters work well when they are tailored to each company or position you are applying for. It is not a repeat of everything in your resume, but more of a way to show your personality through paper before they meet you. Need a cover letter template that you can easily and quickly modify with each application? Let’s talk.

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An Organized Job Search This is so important. If you have not read my article: “Organizing Your Job Search”, toggle over by clicking the link. It’s a good one with great tips for getting control of your job search.

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Patience You can do everything right and there will still be a wait in your search. Be patient and stay organized. Don’t call the company every time you get worried. Instead, invest that time networking with people who can help you get your goals accomplished. Chances are, there are people under your nose who know a little more about something else than you. Ask questions. Don’t get me wrong, you are certainly allowed to call the employer (who may be ghosting you) but avoid calling more than once or twice. Get the closure and move forward.

So now you have the basics, what else can you do to stand out?

• Get a LinkedIn Profile – you probably have 4 social media pages that you maintain already for personal use, why not have one designated to your professional development? When I was searching for my next employer back in 2017, I emailed the recruiter directly from my LinkedIn account and we set up an interview the same week. I was hired the week after. Just like you “add friends” on Facebook or “follow” others on IG and Twitter, you can connect with other professionals. Networking is your net worth. (I wrote an article on Networking, follow the link to check it out).
• Get Certified – there is an abundance of options for acquiring skills that employers look for. You are no longer limited to going to a 4-year college for a degree or certification. Pick up a trade by taking an online certification course; many programs can get you certified in under a year. They are more affordable too. Here are a few popular ones: Cosmetology, Barbering, Welding, Agile Project Management, Six Sigma Green Belt, Human Resources, Microsoft Solutions Expert, AWS Solutions Architect (Amazon Web Services), Professional Ethical Hacker, Social Media Strategist, Massage Therapist etc. You can earn 100,000 a year quickly with most of these certifications and some experience in the field.

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New Year, New Career. Start today, so your future self will thank you.

Come back next week to get more tips for #tHRivingall2019.

So you can #arriveandthrive

and be

#beunapologeticallythriving