Do These Things to Land Your Job by the New Year

If you vowed to leave your old job behind, the start of a new year can inspire you to get career plans back on track. Unfortunately, a well-intentioned job search can quickly fizzle out, making it wise to set goals that keep you motivated long after the resolution high wears off. Take these steps to refresh your job search and get a head start on the competition.

1. Create a Goal-Setting Plan

Procrastination and disorganization are job-search killers, and you can easily fall into a cycle of getting little or nothing done if you don't establish accountability right away. Use your to-do list to set goals, so you have an accurate idea of what you're accomplishing. Create a structured plan to divide large tasks into smaller, more manageable goals you can spread out over several days. Make sure your goals are measurable and demonstrate your progress. Planning to send cold introductory letters to hiring managers at three target companies is more actionable than the vague goal of connecting with hiring managers.

2. Update Your Resume

Review your resume with fresh eyes, and cut any valueless material that doesn't sell your expertise, such as empty buzzwords. Reflecting on your accomplishments over the past year can help you generate new material, especially if you acquired sought-after skills and experience. Restructure your resume to put the least relevant information at the bottom, and strengthen your work history by describing the value and results you delivered to each employer. Keywords are also necessary to survive applicant-tracking systems, making it smart to integrate common search terms for the job you're pursuing.

3. Optimize Online Profiles

A new year brings a new recruitment budget, prompting many hiring managers to begin hunting for prospective candidates in January. Shorten your job search by making your major online profiles, such as LinkedIn and personal websites, easy for recruiters to find. Online profiles are less restrictive than resumes, giving you more freedom to explain your value proposition, showcase portfolio samples or summarize your most impressive projects. If you have spare time, find activities to distinguish yourself from other candidates, such as blogging, public speaking, volunteering or participating in trade organizations.

4. Track Target Companies

Instead of only looking for open positions on job boards, research compelling companies that fit your personality and career goals. When possible, ask trusted colleagues for leads, or find out whether your friends and co-workers know well-connected professionals on LinkedIn. Use your research to fine-tune your job search by setting up alerts for target job titles and prospective companies. Keeping track of company news helps you come up with talking points when cold-contacting hiring managers, sending LinkedIn requests or preparing for interviews.

5. Foster Your Network

If your networking game is weak, warm up your contacts well in advance by sending seasonal greetings cards thanking them for past favors or congratulating them on recent milestones. Keep your messages personal and meaningful, so it won't feel awkward to reach out later when your job search begins. Remember that networking is a two-way street, and you can build stronger bonds by leading your contacts to good opportunities.

Make every future job search fast and efficient by cultivating your career year-round. A smart strategy can help you attract hiring managers and land in-demand positions that are never advertised.

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