IT & Engineering Staffing Insights

It's the new year, and for many that means resolving to get healtheir, find happiness, and succeed at work. If one of your new year's resolutions is changing careers, working with a recruiter can be a great way to navigate the career change process. They will know about positions that aren't posted publicly, have connections with multiple companies in your area, and will work with you to find the right fit for your skills and personality. Whether you're working with a recruiter or not, the following tips will help you jump into the job market confidently and will set you up for success in the new year.

1) First and foremost, write your resume to reflect the position you're applying for. Your goal in sending a resume is to get an interview. Do not assume that the recruiter, hiring manager, or HR will understand that you are a fit. They are looking for your resume to match their job description. If you are uncomfortable in rewriting your resume, ask the recruiter you are working with for suggestions.

2) Do not assume that a recruiter or hiring manager will read your resume entirely. Typically, hiring managers are being bombarded with resumes by HR, recruiters, internal referrals, etc. Make sure that the highlights are front and center and your work history reflects the job description.

3) Expand your network as much as you can. Use social tools like LinkedIn and MeetUp to connect with other people in your field who can help you make introductions. Always make sure you have business cards or calling cards on hand so your new connections can get in touch with you.

4) Do not procrastinate when actively searching for a new role. Time is of the essence, and a hiring manager is more likely to interview one of the first candidates that he or she receives. THeir time is limited, and they typically get bombarded by multiple agencies and internal human resources when trying to make a hire. Once a manger has a few people scheduled to interview, it isn’t likely that they will continue to schedule more.

Whether you've been searching for a while or are jumping back into the job market after a long project, the power of connections has never been more important. Using your personal network and working with a recruiter can help you make the right connections at the right time to land that dream job. Interested in working with us? Contact one of our offices today and we'll be in touch!

Connect with author Chris Johnson on LinkedIn.