Posted in Career Advice for Young Professionals Generation Y/Millennials Getting from College to Career Job Search Tips Social Media on December 28, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Reminder: I’m now answering job search and career questions as Career Contributor for ABC News on Campus. Submit your question here.
Every day is a new beginning, but a new calendar year offers a particularly great opportunity for fresh starts. This year more than ever, career-minded people are craving new opportunities and new strategies to carry out in January and beyond.
As you think about your plans and goals for 2009, here are 12 career-related resolutions to consider adding to your list.
1. I will do one thing every day to find a job or advance my career. Spend some time every day, even just five minutes, researching potential employers, reading advice articles, following up with people you’ve met, practicing for interviews or doing anything else to help your career prospects. Keep moving forward. Momentum matters.
2. I will update my resume once a month. Especially in an economic downturn, your resume needs to be ready to send at a moment’s notice. Make a note in your calendar to review this important document once a month to be sure it sells your skills and experience in the best possible way.
3. I will regularly review my online presence. While you’re keeping your resume up-to-date, review your online professional presence as well. Google your own name and make sure the results reflect the image you want to project. Many organizations are now relying on social networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook for recruiting, so it’s quite likely your next employer will review your online profile before seeing your official resume.
Hi,
This is a wonderful opinion. The things mentioned are unanimous and needs to be appreciated by everyone.
robinson
Online Uk Jobs Resource
I am a big proponent of going after the job you want, as opposed to the job for which you’re “best suited”. Of course, circumstances may dictate another course of action, but we can’t be afraid to pursue our dreams, even if it means a bit of self-sacrifice in the mean time. As a certified resume writer, I do agree that your resume should always be up-to-date. In fact, it is said that the two things that should always be kept updated are one’s passport and resume. It makes sense, since both are tools to get you where you want to go.
Now these are New Year’s resolutions that we should definitely keep.
[...] Find Your Dream Job: 12 Career Resolutions for 2009 @ Lindsey Pollak’s blog. Great suggestions here for those of you looking for a job, or [...]
Several sites now help students create a free student resume online and even post their jobs wanted ad! One example is NUresume, http://www.nuresume.com, where students create a free online resume and can post internships, scholarships, jobs and even colleges wanted. The attribute of being searched online through a resume will definitely be an advantage for jobhunters!
Thanks for the useful tips
I find XING to be the best social networking site for professionals.
It’s better than Connectbuzz and Linkedin.
[...] Find your dream job: 12 career resolutions for 2009 | Lindsey … [...]
@Scott – thanks for the comments. The added bonus of updating an online profile is that your editing shows up in people’s updates/newsfeeds.
Happy New Year!
Lindsey
@Working Girl – thank you so much! Glad you like this list. I love end-of-year lists too. Here’s to a great 2009!
Lindsey
Lindsey, great article! #3 hits home with me the most as I hold many different profiles (facebook, linkedin, etc) online. It is important for everyone to update their resume, but since our lives are busy I would recommend doing it when it is appropriate based on achievements or changes in responsibilities. Thanks!
Congrats on your ABC gig. This is a GREAT list. I love reading these end-of-year resolution pieces.
[...] PC World is pondering Video Resumes and if they are A WAY TO STAND OUT? ABC NEWS, Lindsey Pollack, is talking about 2009 and Career Resolutions. She gives 12 Career Resolutions for 2009. My [...]
I love #3 Lindsey!
That is so true because many of us don’t ever update it until we are in jeopardy of losing our current jobs. I say stay one foot ahead of the game.
Thanks for the information once again :-)
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There are jobs posted on various job sites, here’s 3 of the best from About.com
http://www.linkedin.com (networking)
http://www.indeed.com (aggregated listings)
http://www.realmatch.com (matches you to the perfect job)
Good luck to those seeking work