Job Hunting - 10 New Year's Resolutions

Posted by in Career Advice •


A new year is rolling around and it is time for you job hunters to make your resolutions. The holiday season may not have been a good time to get that new job because so many people and companies were busy with other things - year end closing, office celebrations, and vacations. But now it is the new year and everyone is settling back into routine. So what can you do now to take advantage of the new year's opportunities?. Here are 10 resolutions to get you started.

1. Check out those holiday cards you received. Is there anyone there you have not talked with about your job search? Get in touch with them. Thank them for the thoughtful card, tell them about your holidays, and if you have not seen them for awhile, suggest getting together for coffee or a lunch. Use your meeting as a chance to talk about what you want in a job, what you are doing to find a job, and ask for their help or advice.

2. Read the business news section of your paper daily and other local business news publications as available. Make a list of businesses that are expanding or received new contracts. If something catches your eye, follow up with some background research and then make a contact.

3. If you stopped checking your link-in and other employment opportunity newsletters, re-establish contact. Many folks had a down time during the holidays and they are also getting back into the frey.

4. Check with state, local, and federal government offices. Many organizations begin a new budget year on January 1 and they are getting ready to staff up for the year. Sometimes it is first comes first serve and you could get lucky.

5. Make a resolution to contact at least three new potential employers every week. Keep a record of your contacts and give yourself a little reward each time you meet your goal.

6. Update your resumes and cover letter templates. Be sure the time frames and contact data is up to date.

7. If you had a good lead last year that kind of fizzled due to a lack of follow up from the employer, let them know you are still interested and on the market.

8. Send thank you notes to folks who helped you last year even if you did not get a new job through their efforts. Your goal is to remind them that you are still looking and to subtly encourage them to check again.

9. Don't forget the potential opportunities that lurk in volunteering. If you have time available volunteering for local organizations can expand your contact base and may be even provide a chance at later employment.

10. Don't get discouraged. Job hunting is hard work. Luck and perseverance will pay off.


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  • vanaken
    vanaken •
    10 new year's resolution I will not forward a single email unless it specifically applies to the person I am sending to. I will include a personal note to that person so they know why I am forwarding the email their way. If I must send or forward the same email to a group of contacts, I will be sure to put their email addresses in the BCC: field to protect their privacy.2. I will take the time to make sure that my sentences are complete, capitalized and include the proper punctuation. This goes a long way to making communications with me easier and has the added benefit of helping to avoid misunderstandings.3. I will not send a large attachment of any kind (over 100K bytes), even one I think is a very special photo of [insert here: my grandbaby, my child, my pet, my car, my vacation...] until I ask when would be the best time to send it to the intended party first. This way, I do not fill their email box without notice causing all their other email to bounce. If I do not know how to determine an attachment's size, I'll learn how before I send it by email!4. Every email I send will be courteous and include a proper greeting and closing which includes my name. My extra effort in this area, when many feel these details are not necessary, will have me viewed as someone who "get's it" and is a pleasure to communicate with.5. I will understand that not everyone will have the same opinions as I do and that is A.O.K.! Constructive conversation and exchange of ideas is one of the great things about being online and not everyone will agree with my POV. Boy, wouldn't that be boring!?6. There is no place online for profanities, accusations or rudeness. If I run into problems with another onliner in a chat room, message board or by email who does not communicate with clarity and courtesy, I will simply cease communications with them. If I need to respond, I will take the high road and not stoop down to that level. I will report ongoing abusive emails or threatening behavior to my ISP for proper handling.7. I will be very respectful about how I use my employer's technology resources understanding they are paying the bill and I am on their time. I will make a point of reviewing my employer's policies to avoid any problems.8. I will avoid formatting my email communications with colored text, bolding, italics (unless I am a professional coder) because I know it may not look the same as I intended when received on the other side. I understand that many prefer plain text in their communications and that if I communicate with clarity formatting really is not necessary.9. If I do use the "leave mail on server" feature of my email program, I will be diligent about unchecking it and clearing my email account's inbox to ensure my email box does not become full and bounce/return emails to those making an effort to communicate with me.10. I will make a point of understanding each online service or Web site I choose to use by reading their Frequently Asked Questions or Help area before blasting the site owner. I understand that if I do not review these areas, I could misunderstand or do something incorrectly and need to eliminate my actions or lack thereof as a possible cause of a perceived problem before pointing fingers at others. If in fact something does appear amiss, I will email with courtesy asking for their assistance in resolving my difficulties rather than making blunt demands or accusations.There you have it! Your 10 Little Courtesies to work on for the year ahead so that folks don't cringe when they see your name in their inbox. Just imagine if everyone online made these efforts? Joy, joy! ;-)

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