A career change is not exactly easy, but it is possible. To land a job, it is not sufficient simply to graduate, or even to graduate with very good grades. Prepare to market yourself. While the journey begins by writing a clean resume, here are five other tips to help you land the job you want!
Build a strong presence on social media
Facebook, Twitter, and other social platforms is your digital identity. Therefore, a strong presence on social media can also help you get spotted by potential employers alike. The goal here is to stay active and prove that you can engage with people (yes, you’re a team player). Most importantly, there should be a regular update schedule, but be wary of posting potentially sensitive opinion material. Social media is a double edged sword, but you can master the sharpest edge to your advantage.
Plan your career well in advance
Create a list of target employers for your job search, and begin researching each organization. Better still, do research on the industry that the company operates in. The more you know about the way a company operates as well as the market, the more attractive you will be. Marketing yourself, after all, is a matter of pitching your message in the way that your target audience will quickly connect with you. You have to know a lot about your target market if you want to craft a message that will appeal to them.
Make your network work
While having good friends is great, there is a chance that this person may have the right connections in the job market. Nothing will be able to help you more when finding employment than your connections. As a whole, society functions primarily through word-of-mouth and interpersonal connections. Make sure you’re going out of your way to expand your network – you never know when you will meet the right one.
Consider an alternative entry
Are you having a difficult time getting a company to hire you for a particular position because of a lack of job experience? If so, why not apply for a similar job but with a lower barrier of entry? Your finances might take a beating but it is an opportunity to open the door. Not only are you gaining knowledge and experience, but you are making lifelong contacts. Most companies hire from the inside which makes entry-level positions could end up turning into a new career path.
Be nice to yourself
This will seem odd, but you will need a glowing personality and a sharp mind to ace a job interview! Treat yourself to healthy meals because a job search is akin to running a marathon – your body and mind are both working hard. Do go out and spend time with people who lift you up (hey, network!). In the planning and execution of your job search will not be easy, but you don’t have to stress yourself mentally to achieve it.
