Being prepared for your dream job

We wrote a post a few weeks back on why fall is the perfect time to start your hunt for a new job. Now, with the holiday season right around the corner, there will be more opportunities for tech consultants to land seasonal gigs.

So what can you do to make sure you’re prepared for opportunities that may come your way?

Network. Networking is critical whether you’re actively searching for a job or not. You never know how the people you meet today can impact your career in the long run, so be prepared. Always bring business cards with you to industry or company events, or better yet—carry them with you at all times! And don’t let your first interaction be the last. Follow up with the contacts you meet, whether with a quick eMail or a message on sites like LinkedIn.

Work on your resume. Make sure your resume is up-to-date! And even more importantly, make sure it’s accurate. Rachel Zupek, of CareerBuilder.com, has a great article highlighting the lies told through resumes. While it may be tempting to fudge your credentials to make yourself appear more qualified, don’t do it!  According to Rachel’s article, 57 percent of hiring managers say they have caught job candidates in a lie, and of those, more than 90 percent didn’t hire the candidate as a result.

Update your skills. Make sure your tech skills and certifications are current. No one in 2007 will want to hire someone who’s last training was in the 80s.  Take advantage of your current company’s training programs, complete industry certifications or even take the next step in your academic education by returning to school for a Master’s or MBA. Having updated skills will increase your value to current and potential employers and may also lead to higher salaries. (Keep an eye out for my upcoming ComputerWorld article for more information on this topic.)

So take our advice and don’t get lazy!  Whether you’re actively searching for a new job or not, you never know when your dream job might come knocking at your door.

Posted by Jim L.