If one of your goals for 2017 is to get yourself a new gig, you’re not alone. Over half of everybody who works, doesn’t like their job. That means that a good portion of these people will be putting “Get a new job” on the top of their list of things to do in the new year.
Whether this is the first time in a long time you’ll be joining the community of active job seekers or this isn’t your first time around the block, the rules have changed when it comes to finding a new job.
In order to be fully equipped to deal with everything that comes with looking for a new job, it helps to have an arsenal of resources at your disposal.
Here’s a list of the top career hacks I’ve used (to land my dream job this year with a $25k raise and other perks out the wazoo) and that you can use too for your job search in 2017.
It should come as no surprise that LinkedIn is at the top of my list. It really is the #1 best resource for anyone trying to find a new job. Whether you want to network with hiring managers or take a peek at current job openings, you’ll find everything you need here. If you don’t have an account set up already, go to LinkedIn now and set one up. Once you’re done, click here to learn how to use your account and have recruiters begging you to come in for a job interview.
The Muse
The Muse serves up a daily dose of real life, practical career advice no matter what industry you’re currently in or want to be. They publish about 10 articles per day and I can almost guarantee you’ll find a topic on any career topic you can think of. Want tips on how to write the perfect cover letter? Go to The Muse. Advice on how to kill it in your next phone interview? Go to The Muse. And the best part is their writers give you advice in a quick, witty and conversational way.
Google alerts
This has got to be one of my best kept secrets. Let’s say you want to switch industries, but you don’t know where to start? Set up a google alert using the key words you want to monitor and you’ll get an email sent directly to your inbox with relevant information you want to be aware of. I’ve used Google alerts to help me stay on top of companies I’m interviewing for or trends in my current industry. The possibilities are endless and will help you look like you’re so smart!
Skillshare
Remember when the only way you could learn a new topic or skill was to enroll at your local community college? Yea. Me neither. That’s because in today’s world, learning a new skill is as simple as doing a google search. I’ve expected with a few of the self-paced on line learning sites out there and Skillshare is definitely on the top of my list. Whether you need to brush up on your Excel skills or learn how to give a killer presentation, there are thousands of classes available to you to expand your knowledge base (so you can add them to your resume).
Career Coach
You may think I’m bias, but believe me I’m not. Even if I wasn’t a career coach, as an experienced HR professional, I would tell you that hiring a career coach to help you navigate your job search (and your career in general) is always a good idea. There are so many hidden resources a coach can provide and the simple act of having an accountability partner to help you through the process of landing your new job can make all the difference.
Glassdoor.com
At some point during your job search you’re going to want to do your research on how much you should be getting paid or what employees think about the company you’re working for. Since it can be awkward (and sometimes inappropriate) to ask these questions directly, Glassdoor.com is the perfect solution. This site provides so much information about companies, salaries and industries. It really is the secret weapon for any savvy job seeker.
Eventbrite
You may be saying: “Eventbrite? Huh?” Listen, the easiest way to find a new job is through a referral. And the more diverse and extensive your network is, the easier it will be for those referrals to find their way to you. Eventbrite is a great way for you to find conferences, networking events and social gatherings in your area.
TED
Making it a daily or weekly habit to tune into new TED talks is a great way to learn new information as well as stay motivated and inspired during your search. I’ve found that ever since I’ve gotten into the videos on TED, I’ve become better at small talk, cultivated a lot of new interests and become an overall more interesting person.
Well, there you have it. My list of the hacks that have really helped me take my career to the next level over the past few years. Which ones will you use? Shoot me an email and let me know.
-Dorianne
