15 WAYS TO MAKE YOURSELF MUCH MORE EMPLOYABLE IN 2022
If you’re looking to make a career move in 2022, start preparing for it now! With luck, you still have a little time off before you’re back to the daily grind. Use a few hours here and a few hours there to get started. . . and then keep up the momentum in the coming weeks. The sacrifice will pay off. This time next year, you’ll be looking forward to work, not dreading going back.
Here are 15 ways to make yourself much more employable in 2022.
1.
Believe in yourself. Think positive and show confidence and motivation even when things aren’t going your way. These are all qualities that are highly regarded by potential employers.
2.
Update your resume. Is your latest job on there? How about those recent courses you have taken? As well as focusing on content, consider the format (bullets, readable font, white space, hyperlinks to your LinkedIn profile, etc.)
3.
While you’re in writing and editing mode, you’ll want to make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date too. Here are a few ideas for building a winning LinkedIn profile.
4.
Script and film a video resume to stand out from the crowd. Check out our recent blog post for top tips on making a winning video resume.
5.
Reflect on your personal brand. Who are you when you are at work? How are you perceived by others? A simple way to start on this one is to jot down a few adjectives that describe you. You might be ambitious, honest and motivated, for example. Or dependable, conscientious and caring.
6.
Work on your elevator pitch. Imagine you’re in a lift with a prospective employer. You have around 30 seconds to sell yourself to them while you head up to the 10th What do you say? What do you have to offer? Why you?
7.
Think about your next career step and the technical and soft skills you need to help you get there. Then show your commitment to professional development by proactively enrolling in a course. For some useful ideas, read our recent post on short online courses to fuel your career.
8.
Build your social media presence by sharing interesting, relevant content and commenting on posts. You want to make sure you are sending the right message. The aim is to reflect and promote your brand as you build your profile and your connections. If you’ve been on social media for a while, you may want to check your privacy settings and clean up any content you don’t want a prospective employer to see.
9.
Engage in a little passive learning from the comfort of your armchair. You can stay abreast of recent developments by reading industry publications, watching TED talks and listening to podcasts.
10.
Engage in a little passive learning from the comfort of your armchair. You can stay abreast of recent developments by reading industry publications, watching TED talks and listening to podcasts.
11.
Seek out a mentor who can help guide your learning, enhance your networking and steer your career in the right direction. This could be someone you have previously worked with or a professional connection, for example.
12.
Research the companies you are interested in and consider applying speculatively for a position even if a relevant job is not advertised.
13.
Be flexible. If there are no suitable opportunities in your direct line of activity, consider where else your skills and competencies could make a difference.
14.
Customise your cover letter and tweak your resume for every application. Simple details, such as addressing your letter to a real person, rather than a “hiring manager” can make a real difference.
15.
Look for and invest in a decent interview outfit and shoes, even if your first contact with a prospective employer is online. You’ll feel the part from the get-go.
Already working on your brand, building your skillset and working on your resume? Great! You’re well on the way to a new job. If not, there’s no need to be daunted. Many of these are longer-term strategies that will stand you in good stead – and make you more employable – throughout your career. To start, simply choose a few items from our list and see how you go. 2022 is the year to make a positive change.
If you’re looking to move roles in 2022, contact the proactive, professional team at Optimal Recruitment on info@optimalrecruitment.com.au or 02 8416 4181.
