So, you're sure you want to leave your current job--or you want to make a big career change. Congratulations! It takes a lot of guts--especially in this turbulent economy. The way you approach your job search depends on many things. There are some questions to ask yourself before plunging in:
- Am I going to take on this challenge while continuing to work with my current employer?
If this is the case, you'll want to be careful about your promotional efforts. This means posting your resume anonymously, tweaking the finer details of your employment history so your resume doesn't come up in search engines when your employer does a search. It also means being more discrete about who knows you're looking. - Am I going to take on this challenge while being underemployed?
Here, less discretion is required--if you're up front with your manager when you're hired. A lot of part-time positions will have managers that are more understanding to those in job transition. However, that still requires you to be discrete about your job search. - Do I have the necessary skills to get into my target job?
If not, consider looking for internships and/or enrolling in school to gain the necessary skills. Most colleges offer internship listings in their career centers or experiential education departments. Many times, though, you'll need to be in school to be considered for an internship. A good way to get around this is to use social media to network with professionals in your field. Connect with individuals on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and even MySpace. You can also always contact professional associations for tips on who to contact. - I think I have the skills, so what do I do now?
If you have the skills and can freely network, tell everyone you know that you're looking. Create a Web site for yourself that includes a portfolio of your work and a resume for download. Use RSS feeds to promote your site. Update your Facebook status with your resume link. Put your resume on all the major job boards, including a link to your site. Create profiles on all the major social media outlets. Participate in forum discussions where you can show off your expertise and put your Web site in your signature.
The possibilities are truly endless, and things change every day. The more you incorporate your career into your personal identity, the easier it is to promote yourself and make the right connections.
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