It’s a New Year, and for many of us “find a new job” is included in our New Year’s Resolutions. If so, here are a few specifics that will help on your pursuit of a new job opportunity:
Resolution #1
Set S.M.A.R.T Goals for your job search
Approaching your job search can seem daunting and so it’s tough to know where to get started. I suggest you take this time to outline a plan on your calendar on what needs to be done- and set S.M.A.R.T. goals around this plan. SMART stands for:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Action-oriented
- Reasonable
- Time-based
Like with most goals, you can focus on these job search goals as a way to know that you are taking the steps necessary to move your closer to your dream job. Here are a few examples of what your Smart goals might look like:
- Complete first draft of Resume by January 31st.
- Send to three people I trust in my professional Network and request feedback and thoughts on my resume- ask for it to be returned in a week.
- Final Draft of resume complete by Valentine’s day (February 14th).
- LinkedIn Profile updated with accurate information, as well as a summary page that can attract hiring manager’s eyes (more on this later).
- Add 5 relevant LinkedIn Connections per week- send specific invitations to professionals in my network.
Resolution #2
Commit to Networking
Most Paralegals I speak with have a fear of networking events, or look at networking as something to be done only when they want a new job. In my experience, the best networkers are those that attend events, and make professional connections, especially when they don’t have to. Make a resolution to attend networking events knowing that it won’t pay immediate gratification in the form of a new job offer. When you attend these events, focus on making worthwhile connections with others in your industry and when you meet them think about how you can help them- focusing on reciprocity will make you a better and more memorable networker.
Similarly make networking a regular thing- set a goal around attending multiple events of one organization (ie, LAPA’s monthly meetings), knowing that the more you attend, the more you will benefit. Look at ways to volunteer as an easy way to get you networked with other members, build meaningful relationships with them and can actively participate in these meetings.
Resolution #3
Build your Online Presence
Make a resolution to increase your professional presence online, whether you are a “super connector” or someone just trying to figure out this whole LinkedIn thing. If you’re not on LinkedIn, take a moment to build an online profile on the site- it looks intimidating at first, but LinkedIn’s templates make it easy to build a profile from scratch- this is the first step in order to be discovered by by hiring managers who go to LinkedIn to find potential candidates.
If you have a profile, take time to connect with others in your field- any time you meet someone in a professional networking event or meeting, send them a follow up note and LinkedIn connection request. Additionally, setting a specific goal for the number of people per week you’d like to connect with will help you keep your online momentum moving forward, even if it’s 2-3 people per week.
Resolution #4
Keep Your Fingers on the Pulse of Hiring
Set up job alerts on the LinkedIn jobs, Indeed.com, & ZipRecruiter.com: If you enter in your desired job, you will find a button that allows you to receive similar jobs via email. Even if you aren’t ready to apply to apply to these jobs, you can study the requirements of each position, and start to honestly evaluate how your experience stacks up against their requirements. If you see that you’ve done a lot of the work that your dream job is looking for, then go back to your own LinkedIn profile and resume- does it accurately reflect that experience? If not, add a sentence or two to your profile that reflects this work. (you can do this under the specific job that you did the work, or in a summary of skills section on LinkedIn).
Resolution #5
Respond to Recruiters
Once you have your online profile, you will undoubtedly hear from Recruiters who discover you on LinkedIn, and message you through LinkedIn to either try and recruit you for a position, or ask you for referrals for a particular role they are recruiting on (hint; this is a subtle way to ask you if you are interested).
If a Recruiter messages you about a particular opening that isn’t a fit for you, politely let the Recruiter know that even though this isn’t something of interest to you, here is the type of position you are looking for. Good Recruiters will record that information in their databases, so when they DO come across your ideal position, they’ll know that you would be interested. Having Recruiters keeping their eyes and ears out specifically for you is a great way to have others do a lot of the legwork on finding your ideal job.
Resolution #6
Go Outside of your Comfort Zone – At Least Once
Make a resolution in 2019 to try something professionally that is outside of your comfort zone, and I predict good things will result from it. Here’s an example: I was in charge of organizing a speaker panel for an industry group I was involved with. One of the panelists that I asked to join said yes, but then was TERRIFIED about guest speaking in front of the group. She tried backing out several times due to nerves but eventually saw it through an attended the event. Turns out, she was an eloquent speaker who gave insightful, well-educated answers to the audience questions. One of the guests in the audience was looking to hire someone just like her, and approached her after the presentation in order to introduce herself. They ended up hiring her and she has been at the new firm for the past 3 years.
Put together a topic idea for an industry group (most are always looking for potential guest speakers), volunteer for an organization you believe in, write an article for an industry publication, be a guest speaker at school with a Paralegal program, etc. There are lots of opportunities for you to put yourself out there in this capacity.
If you are determined to find your dream job in 2019, then resolve to start these items now! Looking for a new job takes hard work and persistence, and many times taking steps like these that seem small, will allow you to take a big step, into a new career!
