At this time of year, many workers find themselves evaluating their
jobs and taking a closer look at their career directions. In fact, almost 40% intend to change jobs this year, according to a recent Spherion^® survey.

Does your job give you personal satisfaction? Have you learned anything new in the past year? Do you see yourself growing with the company? If you find that your career is not delivering the personal or professional satisfaction you need, now can be the perfect time for a new beginning. If your New Year’s resolutions include enhancing—or advancing—your career, here’s help to jump-start your job search.

1. Update your resume.
Once you’ve decided to explore new options, you’ll need a resume that highlights your skills and accomplishments. Take a look at recent performance reviews and work objectives to make sure your resume captures your successes. Include a section for investments you’ve made in training, talent enrichment or skills development.  

2. Search by a schedule.
Establish a daily or weekly routine for your job search. Include which days you will check in with your recruiter; regularly scheduled times for you to search the job boards and review want ads; and time to pursue the openings you’ve identified by personalizing your resume and cover letter.

3. Don’t get discouraged.
Don’t expect to land the first job you seek—although it’s been known to happen. And don’t let rejections get you down. Think of them as opportunities for growth by finding out why you were not selected. Then, take that feedback and make changes to your resume or interview style as appropriate.

4. Customize your cover letters.
Recruiters often complain about cookie-cutter cover letters that say nothing. Make sure yours stands out from the pack by addressing it to a specific company (and preferably a specific executive) or to a specific recruiter. Tailor your introductory paragraph to make a statement about your accomplishments and how they can contribute to the prospective new employer.

5. Conduct practice interviews.
If you’re a little rusty in the interviewing department, go to a trusted colleague, friend or mentor and ask them to help you practice. Give them a list of questions specific to your job and skills. Then practice your answers during the mock interview and ask for constructive criticism until your answers become clear and concise.

Following these tips can help you ring in a new job along with the New Year! For more tips, visit our Career Center.