It’s no secret that today’s workforce has changed, and there are many people that find themselves facing a job interview for the first time in 10-15 years.  Today’s job seekers face unique challenges and expectations from employers and it is no longer enough to show a long stable work history.

Today’s jobs require workers to show modern skills, flexibility, multi-tasking efficiencies not to mention up to date presentation in their images, dress and communication skills.

Here are 6 game-changing steps you can take to prepare yourself for finding your next career and avoid unnecessary setbacks.

1. Resume Revision: Hiring managers review hundreds of resumes and that gives them the ability to skim a resume very quickly for details that they’re searching for.  It also teaches them the difference between a good and a not so good resume.   You want to make certain that your resume targets the position that you are currently seeking.  It would be a tragedy for you to miss out on a career opportunity just because your resume wasn’t assembled using today’s best practices.
2. Social Media Review: A large majority of today’s employers depend heavily upon researching social platforms like facebook, twitter, and LinkedIn to learn more about applicants.  It’s not necessary for you to have profiles on each platform, but it is imperative that you double-check the profiles you do have.  A good rule of thumb is to make certain that there are no comments, pictures, or information that you wouldn’t want your mom to see.  If you don’t have any social profiles, you would be well served to set one up on LinkedIn.  Essentially, it is a business based social network, but it can best described as a  living digital resume.  The best part is that it becomes much easier for hiring managers and recruiters to find you based upon your skills, experience, and even recommendations.
3. Salary Requirements: This is an often-overlooked detail by many job seekers.  You want to make certain that your salary expectations are congruent with today’s market place.  You will want to research comparable salaries for the position you’re seeking within your regional area.  This is key as salaries can fluctuate by as much as 60% from region to region.  This information will keep you from making a preposterous request as well as taking a low-ball offer.
4. Skills Proficiency: It’s not enough to simply have experience using the various software suites typical in your industry.  With the fast pace of software development, your skills can become outdated within a few short months as newer versions emerge.  You might consider an online training site like Lynda.com to refresh your skills and stay sharp.  Keep in mind that most employers will require you to take a skills proficiency test before they make their final hiring decision.
5. Industry Research: Know your Industry! Nothing sells you as the perfect candidate for the job you seek better than being “In The Know.”  Make certain you can speak to current events in your space, press releases by your potential employer.  Your local business journal, chamber of commerce, or better business bureau can be good assets as well as trade journals, local newspapers and good old fashion web searches.
6. Interview Preparation: You’ve heard the old adage “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”  Nowhere else is that more relevant than in your initial job interview.  The good news is that you can ace that interview with good preparation.  A few basic steps are to review sample interview questions and prepare written answers for each.  This will keep your mind sharp with clear impactful answers to your interviewer’s toughest questions.  Another critical step in preparing for an interview is practice, practice, practice.  You need to practice for the various types of interviews you might face such as one-on-one, panel interviews, and becoming more common, Skype or Video interviews.  Each type presents its own challenges and you don’t want to miss your next career path because you were caught off guard.  Your ability to sell yourself with confidence is a major factor in obtaining that new career.

Today it takes a good deal of work to land your next job, but following these principles will set you up for success and hasten your return to work.  If you’d like to discuss these steps and ask questions specific to your job search, we’d love to hear from you.   You can e-mail your resume to info@jki-inc.com and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.