It’s often a hard decision to make the break from your current position to find a new job or career path.

The New Year is often a time of contemplation that leads to numerous resignations, especially in the early months of the year, as people revaluate their career goals. This could provide you with an opportunity or opening to make the decision to find a new job or career.

Here are a few tips that will help you find a new job in the New Year.

Preparing to find a new job

Get prepared with all the items you will need to find a new job:-

• refresh your resume including personal profile, professional assets, achievements, professional development, skills and experience;
• check your referees are still current;
• have an appropriate outfit ready to go in case of interviews at short notice;
• renew your portfolio and gather actual work samples and examples, if appropriate;
• revise your LinkedIn Professional Profile and join groups to start to make new connections in the industry you would like to find a new job;
• research any training or courses that will help you find a new job.

Researching for a new job

Before you start looking for a new job, you will want to research:-

• type of position you are interested;
• a list of companies you would like to find a new job with;
• your wage or salary requirements and expectations.

Salary consideration

Make sure you consider the salary and benefits when comparing new jobs.  What might seem a better paying job, might not be when considering salary alone.

Networking to find a new job

Use your connections to help find a new job by speaking with friends, family and other contacts and let them know you are interested in finding a new job.  Many jobs never make it to the advertisement stage and employers are very happy to have new employees referred to them by people they trust.  Remember, in the competitive arena of job hunting, it’s often who you know and not what you know that will help you find a new job.  If you are still employed, it would be prudent to use discretion when networking to find a new job.

The interview

It’s important to make a great first impression when you are attending interviews:-

• appearance is important, dress appropriately;
• rehearse answers to common interview questions, eg “why do you want to find a new job”;
• take relevant material to the interview;
• look the interviewer in the eye and speak confidently.

Getting help to find a new job

Job hunting is time consuming so developing a professional relationship with a recruitment agency may be very beneficial.

Getting help from a Resume Professional

Engaging the services of a professional resume writing service, such as Successful Resumes, will help you ‘stand out from the crowd’.  We can help you prepare your resume as well as prepare other documents such as selection criteria and cover letters.  Successful Resumes can also assist with interview coaching.  Locate your closest Successful Resumes professional at http://www.successfulresumes.com.au/branch_locations.html

.