Okay, so you finally decided to quit your job because you know you deserve a better fit to build the kind of life you want and are now on the hunt to find that perfect gig. However, identifying what kind of job seems like a daunting task. We spend so much of our life at work, so you want to be intentional and self-aware when making a career shift. Will this new position align with your values and goals? Will it give you the flexibility you need so that you can make time for other important aspects of your life?
Figuring this all out can seem overwhelming but recruiting consultant Bert E. Miller has three helpful tips that can make the process of finding the job you love a bit smoother.
Take a self-inventory
This means taking a good long look at yourself and evaluating your commitment toward personal, professional, and financial goals. Defining these can help you identify exactly what you wish you were getting from your current position.
To help you gain clarity, Miller recommends writing out your ideal job profile so that you can make the ideas about what you want in a job opportunity more concrete.
“Be clear and transparent with what you want. Job profiles should detail the position while also highlighting the company mission and why you would be the best fit for the position and company,” he says. “There should be a balance between understanding the role and learning about the company. Your job profile should showcase who you can become.”
Make sure to include your optimal job title, where the job is located, your desired salary range, a summary of benefits, a list of responsibilities, and a general description of the role and company.
Update your LinkedIn page and other relevant digital profiles
“When building your digital profile, ensure your ‘mission’ is clear under the ‘about’ section. The same goes with the description in your profile,” Miller advises. “Create a title and phrase that is concise, to the point, and searchable.”
Your profile photo plays a big role in making a first impression, so Miller says you should “make sure you get a professional headshot—not one sitting in a car, in the gym, or a selfie.”
“It’s important to showcase how you’ve taken the skills you have acquired in previous jobs and leveraged them to move forward,” he adds. “Putting that into writing and having conversations about how those skills will… make recruiters see how you can help the company’s objectives.”
Be a learner
Continuing to see every situation as a learning opportunity is a valuable skill in any workplace. Make sure that you’re not just focusing on what the company you’re interested in is doing now, but what its trajectory is for the future. “It’s important to immerse yourself in their news,” explains Miller. “Company leaders like intrinsically motivated people who have a third for continuous learning in their craft.”
Do your research by checking out the company website, finding news about them online and in trade publications, and scanning their LinkedIn profiles. “Using LinkedIn, seeking out connections there, and following what current employees are doing can also be helpful. You can also stand out by posting on your own social media, sharing posts that are [informative], education, and inspiring to others.”
