Jumping into the job search without the proper work experience and job skills can make the process harder than it needs to be. By doing the groundwork before you begin the job search process you can make building a resume and landing the perfect job much more manageable. The following tips will help you avoid the scramble to get your job search ducks in a row, which can take away from focus and quality.
Searching for your ideal job is a very time consuming process. It is likely one of a multitude of other responsibilities and activities. Life is very busy. The key is laying the groundwork in all avenues of your life to help strengthen your assets to be prepared and qualified when you’re ready to look for new career opportunities. Below are some areas that with some extra work will help you grow professionally and stay ahead of the pack.
Leveraging Current Responsibilities to Build Work Experience or Networking Opportunities
Use your responsibilities to your advantage. Your classes, campus, or work environment are tools that should be utilized to its full potential. Capitalize on these areas by networking with coworkers and classmates – gaining insight to their career goals by bouncing ideas off one another. Not only is it easy to connect with others in these settings, but more times than not they are all looking for the same type of knowledge and support.
Use Your Free Time to Build Jobs Skills and Work Experience
The thought of doing more “work” when you get off work isn’t always pleasant. The same can be said for any other responsibilities that occupy your time, but the thing to remember is there will be an eventual payoff – it’s not forever.
Use your free time to participate in volunteer activities that will boost your confidence, knowledge, and resume. Volunteer in something that appeals to you – even if it’s outside of your comfort zone. The goal is to figure out what you like and don’t like. Once you have some different experiences you can narrow your focus.
Look into ‘meet-ups’. This is a great opportunity to network with others who have similar interests and goals. Like networking with coworkers – you never know what connections can be made; you might uncover your next mentor. Meet Up is a great site for finding networking opportunities in your area. You are able to search by topic as well as a number of other filters. Check it out!
Extra-curricular Activities That Build Your Resume
Another great way to lay ground work for ultimately finding your dream job is participating in extracurricular activities that hold weight on a resume. Through research and preparation you should have a good idea of what types of qualifications apply to a given job; minimum and preferred.
Set yourself apart from your competition by taking additional classes or workshops that will increase your knowledge – even if they aren’t necessarily required for a role. By signing up for conferences or working toward specific certifications you show employers you go above and beyond, and are truly passionate about what you do.