Five Ways to Help Your Job Search in 2015

The end of January is here already! Where did the month go?

Don’t know about you but my resolutions are not holding up quite as well as I had hoped.  Sigh.

Since we have a few days left in the month I thought we could revisit five ways to help your job search.  These tips were first published on my blog in 2013 and they are still good for all of us to remember. Especially those of us who work from home.

Revise your LinkedIn profile

It goes without saying that your online profile should be up to date.   Even if yours is up to date, most of our profiles can use some improvement. Re-read your profile, or better yet, ask a trusted friend to read it with a critical eye and make recommendations.  Added bonus: when you update your profile, LinkedIn alerts your network reminding others of your skills and expertise.

Reach out to 5 contacts from your network each week

I find this is super easy to work into my schedule.  And it’s important to do whether we have a job or are out of work. Identify five people with whom you haven’t spoken in a while and send them a quick note to start a dialogue.  It doesn’t have to be lengthy; just a simple “Hi, It’s been a while since we’ve spoken; hope things are going well for you.  I’m great; currently exploring opportunities.  Would love to catch up with you over coffee/via email/over the phone.”

And then follow through.  Again, this is something I do all the time, even when I’m working.  Building and maintaining your network shouldn’t wait until you really need a job.

Get away from your desk/out of the house

I never understood how important it is to leave the house until I was laid off.  Like my new friend who spends her days at the computer, our homes can suck us in, making us feel guilty for leaving or fearful that if we leave, we will miss the perfect job opportunity.  In my experience, all that does is add to the negative thoughts that surround us.  Getting out of the house, even if it’s to grocery shop or walk around the block, it can help clear my mind and give me a new perspective.

Attend a seminar or networking event

In the same vein, now is the perfect time to learn something new at a seminar or expand your network.  This is good for everyone, whether you are working or looking for your next opportunity.  It gets you away from your desk or out of the house, meeting new people, learning something new and it may provide a job lead. There are plenty of low-cost/no-cost events like this to attend; search your area for events.

Exercise

Ouch – this is tough for many of us who would prefer to sit on the couch with a box of donuts.  Oh wait, that’s just me.Seriously, getting daily exercise helps me deal with stress and it was critical when I was laid off.  I’ll admit that is seemed counter-intuitive to take time away from my job search, yet the exercise helped clear my head, improved my mood and had the added benefit of counter-balancing my love of dessert.  Plus I felt better about myself in general which is always good.

I know what you’re thinking: “Even if I do these things, I may not find a new job”.  You’re right about that; nothing is guaranteed.

Yet what I’m suggesting takes very little effort and has other benefits as well. I know my waistline benefitted from time at the gym.  Even if you complete each of these suggestions every day, that’s maybe 3 hours of your time – leaving 5 hours to sit at the computer. Every. Day.

Get out of the house! It will do you – and your career – good.