Keeping Yourself Relevant
First things first, I would like to thank Will and Brad for giving me the chance to write for them and officially enter the blogosphere! As this is will be my first time writing (on a consistent basis anyway), I wanted to come up with a consistent theme. I want to try and stick to this plan as much as I can, but I’m sure that as things come and go, and ideas are tossed around in my head, I might stray just a bit.
The recurring idea I wanted to write about is “Things Everyone Should Be Doing” or “Everyday Tips for Young People.” I’m going to try and just give my two cents about common everyday things that people are going through or talk about something that I feel every person should be doing.
So without further ado, the first topic I wanted to write about was employment. More specifically, what you should be doing if you are still lucky enough to have job. As we all know, the unemployment rate is continuing to rise as more and more layoffs are being handed out and pink slips are as common as ever.
I’m sure we all know friends or family who have fallen under the sword so to speak and have been given their notice to find a new j-o-b. I’m not going to offer my two cents about how to get a job once you’ve lost one because frankly, I’m not sure I would know exactly what to do. What I DO want to say is what those of us who have been lucky enough to still be collecting a paycheck SHOULD be doing to keep that job.
Fortune magazine had a good article about how people are finding jobs now and how to make you look better than the other thousands interviewing for the same job etc. They also had 5 things we should all be doing with our current jobs and I think these are great tips and something everyone should do. You never know when you could be on the other end of the spectrum.
1. UPDATE YOUR RESUME
This could be one of the most important tasks you can do. I am guilty as charged as I had not been updating mine in awhile, but I have since done so after posting this blog. You should always have your resume handy to send to someone at a minutes notice. You never know when that once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity will show its face and you don’t want to be stuck with an out of date resume
2. HELP RECRUITERS FIND YOU
I’m sure by now you all have a Facebook page. Even some of my friends’ parents have one! What you may or may not have is another page specifically for the business side of you. Facebook is fun for friends and a great way to keep in touch etc., but I can almost guarantee it won’t help in employment. Sign up for LinkedIn or ZoomInfo. According to the article, these are two tools that recruiters use religiously to help locate and track great candidates for open positions. You can upload your resume, keep business connections, and describe what you currently do at your job.
3. GET TO KNOW HEADHUNTERS
It never hurts to reach out to recruiters, even if you have a job and think you are 100% safe. Just having a great relationship with a recruiter will make them want to help you that much more than just a faceless person sending a resume.
4. COLLECT YOUR THOUGHTS
This may sound strange but try coming up with ideas of how to BETTER run the business you are in. Distinguish yourself from others by consistently have good ideas and not being afraid to tell your boss how this or that might work better. Make it that much harder for them to send you packing. Make yourself valuable.
5. HELP OTHERS
You should always be willing to help a friend or colleague with their resume. It may even give you a few ideas of how to tweak yours as well. You may think yours looks great, but it can always use a little fine tuning.
These items are something that EVERYONE should be doing, whether you are employed or not. It takes little to no effort to accomplish but the rewards can be vast and great and you’ll be in a better position should something good or bad be thrown your way.
