Ready to Change Jobs? Do 4 Things Before You Take the Plunge:

According to a new report from LinkedIn, people change jobs in January more than any other time of year. With 2019 quickly approaching, now is a great time to begin preparing yourself if you’ve been thinking about making a career change. Before you jump into a job search, here are 4 things you should do now to position yourself for success in the new year:



1. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile
When updating your resume, highlight the results you’ve achieved in your current role. Have a clear focus on the kind of jobs you plan to target. You’ll want to make sure your resume is keyword rich and that it does a good job of conveying your strengths and value. Update your LinkedIn profile and dress for the job you want, not the job you have. If you don’t have a profile photo, upload one. Research shows that LinkedIn profiles without photos do not carry as much credibility. Your profile photo should be a smiling headshot in professional dress with a neutral background and great lighting.

2. Clean up your social media presence.
Ensure that your social media profiles are professional and that they don’t contain any controversial imagery or content. You can bet most employers will check your Facebook page and other accounts like Instagram and Twitter to see how you present yourself. If you’re in a sales or marketing role, your own social media often acts as a sort of virtual portfolio that shows employers what they can expect from you with regard to key areas like style, language, writing ability, and professionalism.

3. Start reaching out to networking contacts.
Don’t wait until you’re out of a job to start networking. Network for the life of your career. Start reaching out to people who are in jobs that you admire or who work for companies that you love. Send networking notes and ask them how you can learn more about what they do and get more involved. Doing this now will put you in a better position in January when employers make hiring decisions.

4. Be social this holiday season
The holidays are a great time to meet people. But you have to be active to see results. Privately it’s helpful to be more active on social media and LinkedIn. Share meaningful or industry relate content to engage people and position yourself as a professional in your field. Publicly it’s really helpful to get out and talk to people in person. If you’re invited to holiday parties, dinners, or events—GO! You can make surprising connections and meet people with access to jobs in places that might not have occurred to you. Practice sharing your strengths and career goals in a succinct and meaningful way; that way if you do find yourself in a career related conversation at a holiday party, you’ll make a positive impression and be remembered for the right reasons!

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