Perhaps the best way to understand how significant a certain achievement, some extra volunteer work or a dedicated social media persona can be is to imagine yourself in the position of employer. It’s the New Year, you’ve just enjoyed a wonderful break, and the last thing you want to do is read the words ‘Works well with others and as part of a team’ for the millionth time. But, because the job hunting process tends to churn out the same old sayings, chances are – you will. Now ask yourself, does this over repeated phrase hold any real meaning anymore? Does it accurately explain why this is a person that deserves that job?
You may think that because the tried and tested methods have a proven track record that should be reason enough to stick to them, but with a New Year comes new responsibilities. The job hunting process can be stressful enough as it is – you needn’t worsen it for yourself by continuing to submit applications which don’t differ from your neighbors in any aspect other than name and address.
With that in mind, here are some ways you can help push your application to the very top of the pile, thereby ensuring that 2013 goes down in history as the year you finally nabbed that dream job.
Update your resume
Even if you don’t think you have much to add to your resume by way of past experience, the New Year is a good time to update, revise and reword some of those past achievements. Employers aren’t interested in reading about your personal traits – they want to see how you applied those traits to get real results. If you’ve been on the job hunt for a while, the worst thing you can do is continue to provide the exact same resume. Just like all things, resumes tend to adapt to a certain trend and you should be aware of what that trend is if you don’t want to seem old-fashioned. For example, the current trend calls for resumes to be short and sweet. Nobody wants to read a long, rambling rundown of all the things you’ve ever accomplished.
Volunteer
Working for free isn’t usually a very popular concept, but it remains an increasingly common way of getting one foot in the door. If you do volunteer work in your industry (also known as an internship or work experience), it shows potential employers that you are dedicated to that industry. You’ll also be able to brag about the new skills that you learnt in your volunteer position, not to mention the great references that you will (hopefully) be able to add to your resume. Volunteering in an area not from your industry probably isn’t as likely to jump out at potential employers, but it could still give you that extra edge over another applicant. It’s also a great way for young job seekers to show that they have some experience while giving them a reference to back them up on their strength of character.
Work on your online presence
The digital age continues to thrive, and social media continues to be as prevalent as ever in the job seeking process. The New Year can be a fresh start for many, an excuse to start over and start new things. Why not make that ‘new thing’ a blog? Blogging about your industry is a great way to show your passion for it, and it can really help get your application read with more enthusiasm. Needless to say, if you’re a writer, it can also serve as proof of your writing talents. Apart from blogging, your online presence probably consists of many other things including a Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn account, so make it a priority to update these frequently. Remaining anonymous online is not desirable, but neither is maintaining an embarrassing internet history. So if there are more drunken photos of you on Facebook than you care to share, it’s probably a good idea to start working on clearing that embarrassing digital footprint before an employer decides to hire the person who isn’t pictured with a vodka bottle in every second picture.
Network
How do I network if I don’t have a job? We hear you. But, believe it or not, networking can stretch far beyond the office Christmas party. For the unemployed, networking should go hand in hand with all the events, conferences and workshops that you are regularly attending. Keep a close eye on your industry and make sure you have your presence felt at any events, lectures or conferences that relate to your chosen field. Apart from soaking up valuable information and learning from other professionals, you will also have the opportunity to converse with like-minded individuals and hopefully leave a lasting impression. Maybe you’ll find out about a new position that way, or enjoy a nice chat with the boss who will be looking over your resume next month. The possibilities are endless – all you have to do is ensure you’re there to grasp them.
Research
Nothing impresses an employer more than a vast knowledge of their company’s history, ideals and future goals. This is why it is imperative to do your research about a company or organisation before you get called in to do an interview with them. Apart from the obvious Google search, one of the benefits of the working arts world is that most arts companies are always going to be hosting some kind of event – be it a performance, a workshop or a book launch. Attend these events and you’ll get a far better understanding of the company that you’re looking to work for, and this knowledge will go a long way when you’re asked to explain why you want this particular position. Another important reason to research is so that you can tailor your resume to a specific job. After all, how will you know what the employer is looking for if you don’t have any knowledge of their previous work?
