[ghrrbac-vtaa] 6 Reasons You Won't Get a Better Job in 2012

From: "Chapman, Michael A. (LARC-D504)" <michael.a.chapman@xxxxxxxx>
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 12:33:22 -0600

6 Reasons You Won't Get a Better Job in 2012
From BrazenCareerist.com
http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2012/01/04/6-reasons-you-wont-get-a-better-job-in-2012/

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* January 4, 2012
* By Ashley Hoffman<http://blog.brazencareerist.com/author/ashleychoffman/>
* 24
Comments<http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2012/01/04/6-reasons-you-wont-get-a-better-job-in-2012/#comments>

Jumpstart your job search this February 6-17 with BrazenU's online bootcamp How
to Get a Job You Will Love<http://brazenu.com/how-to-get-a-job-you-will-love/>.
Top experts teach techniques for stellar resumes, must-read cover letters,
savvy networking and more. Learn
how<http://brazenu.com/how-to-get-a-job-you-will-love/> to get the job you want!

Year after year, one of the most
popular<http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New-Years-Resolutions.shtml> new
year's resolutions is to get a better job. One that has you excited to wake up
in the morning. One that doesn't make you curl up in the fetal position in the
shower. But just like that gym pledge, "getting a better job" can be elusive
without a solid plan, and unfortunately, some will fail.

The good news is you can beat the old adage that new year's resolutions never
stick. 2012 can be the year you get a better job - as long as you avoid these
six mistakes.

1. Your idea of "job searching" is applying online... and only that

Job searching is more than submitting application after application online.
I've heard many a frustrated job seeker say, "But I've applied to over 45 jobs
online!" For the most part, relying solely on online applications - and just
that - won't cut it. Sure, it might help, but it can't be the crux of your
strategy.

Instead, your job-search strategy should be a multi-pronged approach of
applying online, reaching out to your network, making new connections, doing
informational interviews, using social media in your job search, and more.
There's no silver
bullet<http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2012/01/04/2011/07/15/there-is-no-job-search-silver-bullet/>,
and you never know which avenue will pay off. Pursue them all, including
getting out from behind your computer.

2. No one knows you're job searching

When you're looking for a job, the majority of your close contacts in your
network should know it. Sure, there are times when you might want to keep more
of a lid on your hunt if you already have a job and don't want your employer to
find out. But even in that case, there are probably at least 3 to 5 people in
your network - former colleagues (or even close current ones), friends, family,
mentors, etc. - who should know you're looking for new opportunities.

Even better, be specific about what you're looking for. The more specific you
can get, the better your contacts will be able to help you. Tell people the
types of opportunities that would catch your eye, send them your resume, ask
that they keep you in mind if they hear of anything, and keep them updated as
your search progresses.

3. You're looking for the wrong job

If you're really struggling to land a job, you might want to question whether
you're looking for the right type of position. Maybe you graduated with a
certain major and feel pressure to look for jobs in that field, but they sound,
well, boring. It's hard to be motivated when you're bored. And while job
searching is never easy, it can be even tougher if you're not looking for a gig
you're really passionate about.

Before investing more time in your job hunt, take a step back and really think
about whether you're looking for the right kinds of opportunities. Making a
change here could be what you need to stay motivated.

4. Your resume is boring

Updating your resume means more than adding your most recent job or volunteer
position. Shop it around to at least three people you trust and give them
several days to get back to you with constructive feedback.

Even more importantly, make sure your resume is more than just a series of job
descriptions. Give life to
yourself<http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2012/01/04/2011/05/24/resume-mythbusting/>!
Quantify whenever and wherever you can, and use bullet points that show you're
creative, proactive, a team player, and can execute on your ideas.

Also, while words are important, so is design. The overall look of your resume
speaks a lot to employers and can signal whether or not you're detail-oriented.
Does it look polished? Are your margins or spacings off? Is there something
small you could do to stand out? If you're not design-savvy, check out sites
like Elance<https://www.elance.com/> or Behance<http://www.behance.net/> for a
freelance designer to give you a resume makeover.

5. You have no social media presence or a horrible one

First of all, don't let your social media presence work against you. Nearly 80
percent of all
recruiters<http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2012/01/04/2011/10/19/using-social-media-to-find-job-candidates/>
will scan your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles to look for red flags
before they hire you, so make sure no offensive pictures, language or comments
are associated with your name.

But even more importantly, social media can actually help you find a job or get
you recruited. Lots of recruiters scour
websites<http://web.jobvite.com/rs/jobvite/images/Jobvite-SRP-2011.pdf> to
recruit based on the skills and interests in your profile. LinkedIn, Facebook
and Twitter are the big three. Make sure you have a complete LinkedIn profile
with a clear, professional picture and good headline. Create an enticing
Twitter bio and reach out to recruiters on Twitter who work for employers you
like. Participate in recruiting and job hunt Twitter chats. And if you're up
for it, go above and beyond to use social media to get the attention from
employers<http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2012/01/04/2011/11/30/what-works-and-what-doesn%E2%80%99t-in-a-social-media-based-job-hunt/>
that you deserve.

6. You don't know how to use an informational interview to your advantage

One of the best things you can do when you're job searching is find and connect
with people who have a similar job to the one you want, work at a company you
want to work for, or simply have great connections in your industry. An
effective way to do this is through the informational interview.

How do you find these people? Ask your network (and ask them to make an intro
for you), search on LinkedIn (and look for shared connections for the intro) or
Facebook or Twitter for a start. Introduce yourself over
email<http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2012/01/04/2011/07/22/how-the-heck-do-you-write-a-killer-networking-email/>
and give a quick 4-5 sentence reason why you're contacting them. Ask for a
meeting (ideally, if in the same city) or a phone call. ALWAYS make it
convenient for them and put a time limit on the call.

Try saying something like, "I'm sure you're really busy, but if you have 30
minutes in the next two weeks, I'd be interested in buying you a cup of coffee
at a location convenient for you or stop by your office for a quick chat. I'd
love to hear how you got started in the field/company X!"

Most people know the purpose of these meetings and many will be open to meeting
with you. After all, people usually like to talk about themselves and work they
enjoy.

When you're at the meeting, tell them about yourself and what you're looking
for and then focus mainly on them, asking questions about what they do. The key
to these meetings is to follow up; never send your resume up front unless they
ask for it, but attach it in your thank you email with a note like, "Great
meeting with you and hearing about your experience in the field! I've attached
my resume to this email in case you do hear of any opportunities." This person
is now part of your network and you should do upkeep with this relationship as
you do with any other.

Looking for a job is always a challenge, but maybe you just need a jumpstart or
regimen to get you started<http://brazenu.com/how-to-get-a-job-you-will-love/>.
2012 can be the year you get a better job! Here's to this resolution being one
that comes true.

Ashley Hoffman<http://www.brazencareerist.com/profile/ashley-9> is the director
of marketing and communications at Brazen Careerist, and co-host of BrazenU's
online educational bootcamps<http://brazenu.com/category/bootcamps/>.
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Michael A. Chapman, P.E.
Head, Technologies Application Branch - GFTD
NASA Langley Research Center

Michael.A.Chapman@xxxxxxxx<mailto:Michael.A.Chapman@xxxxxxxx>
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757-864-4799 (f)
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[ghrrbac-vtaa] 6 Reasons You Won't Get a Better Job in 2012

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