Must-do’s before starting a job search

Many of us make New Years’ resolutions. A lot of them range to the typical: Eat healthier, do more exercise, or spend more time with your family are a few popular examples. While each is noble in an of their own right, they are not tangible resolutions. Without tangible resolutions we have no accountability which sets us up for failure.

Goal oriented tangible resolutions are much more attainable because they are results driven. For example, eating healthier could a commitment to set a caloric intake limit or set an intermittent daily fasting period. Exercising could be a goal to run a 5k under 30 minutes. Spending time with your family could be committing to a family vacation for 1 full week.

Thus, in the spirit of tangible goals, what if your resolution is to find a new job?

Finding a new job is tangible, but it is not very specific. You should have a strong understanding of what type of job you want and what factors are the most important for you. Step 1, is to ask yourself the following questions: Do you want a job that:

1.) Pays more
2.) Has better benefits
3.) Is a step up in terms of responsibilities / upward career move
4.) Is in a different industry
5.) That will require more education or a certification
6.) Is closer to home and has a lesser commute
7.) Is in a different geographical location
8.) Is a lateral move but is with a company that has a better workplace environment?
9.) Offers more or less opportunities to work remotely?

Once you have made this assessment, then you are ready to begin to prepare to begin your job search. Wait, what? “But I wanna search now!” you say.

You are not ready to search for a job. If you are serious about looking for other work and applying for jobs, then you must have your job searching house in order first. You should have a pre-job searching checklist. Each of the following things should be crossed off before you begin your search:

• Is my resumé up to date? This includes making sure that your address, education, work history, accomplishments, phone number and e-mail address are all current.

• Have I reviewed my resumé for any grammatical, spelling, stylistic errors?

• Have I let a 3rd party review and critique my resumé? (paid service, family member, friend, drinking buddy)

• Are all educational credentials, awards and certifications listed on the resumé?

• Are all certifications current? Double check with your local, state or national licensing board to ensure that in the event an employer wishes to verify your credentials that they will come back A-OK.

• Have references been updated and contacted?

• If looking for work in another city, do you have plans for housing? Have you studied the costs of living in the new place? Have you thoroughly researched your potential destination?

• Is the resumé tailored towards the industry or position that you are desiring?

• If deciding to go through an employment agency or recruiter, have you vetted the agencies / recruiters in your area? Take time to read reviews and experiences from other candidates who have worked with them.

• Have you obtained letters of recommendation? You can always get a letter of recommendation from a past mentor that recommends you for a position of x in y industry, that should cover most jobs where you apply.

• Have you created a profile on any of the job searching platforms like indeed.com? Does your profile include the important key words to get the most “hits” on your resumé?

• Have you taken steps to ensure that your job search is kept confidential and that your current employer does not catch wind that you looking to jump ship?

• Are you prepared to submit a letter of resignation to your current employer upon acceptance of a new position? Are you prepared for a potential counter-offer by your current employer? Are you prepared to be let go on the spot and able to support yourself until beginning at your new job?

• Do you have enough savings set aside to pay for continuing health insurance coverage until your fall under a new plan with your new employer? Have you considered any other options during this transitionary period?

• Have you researched the salary range of people in the same area / industry / position that you are desiring ?

• have you signed up on glassdoor.com so that you can read reviews by other employees and ex-employees at firms where you are going to be applying?

• Have you determined your desired salary requirement based on your household budget and desired savings?

Bring in the good cheer and celebrate a new beginning! Job searching can be stressful, humbling, frustrating and a genuine pain in the ass, but the more front-end preparation work you do beforehand will make the journey a lot less so. There is a formula for finding a job and understanding the steps of the process. The better you anticipate and prepare for each step, the more likely you are to succeed.

Good luck and Happy New Year!!!