10 Things to do Before Starting your Job Search Building Your Future Now

10 Things to do Before Starting your Job Search Building Your Future Now Before embarking on your job hunt, you must be sure to have several major items prepared including an updated resume. There is nothing more frustrating than getting a call for interview and your left scrambling the night before. So take a deep breath, keep positive and make sure you do these 10 things before applying for a job! 1.Write a Game Plan Before applying for jobs or hitting the pavement searching a job, its important to sit down and write a game plan. It doesnt have to long or overly detailedhowever, writing your goal(s) is key; and it isn’t just ‘To find a secure full time job.’ Be specific. Write down the job you want, expected salary and what you what you want to achieve there. Here is an example: To Find and Secure a Full time sales position in a company that helps me grow into an possible executive role. As well, write down what you intend to do during the course of your job search: the first week focus on writing a professional cover letter and resume. Second week contact an employment centre for help and resources. 2.Update Resume The cover letter and resume is your premiere marketing tool. It is a quick reflection of you and thats why you need to spend lots of time and effort on. Be sure to read books and credible websites that dispense helpful information about writing a great resume. If you can, contact local employment resource centres which career consultants and/job developers can review it for you. If you want, explore other opinions including companies or even freelancers that can help you write a resume but for a cost. 3.Update LinkedIn Profile In this day and age, when you update your resume you must also update your LinkedIn profile because companys do check. When you are done your resume use that information for your LinkedIn profile. 4.Edit Your Social Media Accounts This includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter among others need to be reviewed and edited for any content you dont want rehashed with a future employer. Even if you dont have questionable content and posts its still a good idea to review and perhaps even make them a bit more consistent (branding yourself with the same picture and bio info) and even deleting any social media profiles you havent used for a while. 5.Create a Portfolio Even if you arent a commercial artist or photographer its still a great idea to have a portfolio. This portfolio should include your resume and cover letter(multiple copies), any certificates, diplomas or degrees that are related to the job you are applying for. Also have at least a few portfolios on hand (simple copies) to leave after the interview if requested. 6.Contact References Contact at least 3 past managers/supervisors/business owners to ask permission if they can be used as references. Scrambling for references when requested can be tough especially if werent given a heads up. 7.New Professional Clothing Nothing beats a fresh set of clothing ready to be worn for your job interviews. Be sure to stick with dark colours when it comes to a suit jacket and pants or skirt. White shirts are a must as well as black shoes. 8.Gathering Resources Spend some time online finding credible websites that offer useful job/career tips. Equally try to spend some time online finding credible websites that offer useful job/career tips. Equally get to know your local librarythey sometimes offer more than just books like special access to job market information and advanced career programs. 9.Visit an employment centre These centres are usually non-profits. They can offer some great services like resume writing and career assessments workshops, and one-on-one sessions with a job or career consultant. Try to get as more information and assess as many resources as you can. 10.Sign up for job alerts on Indeed Indeed is the best job aggregator available. Sign up for job openings for jobs in a local area and industry specific jobs. Indeed is the best job aggregator available. Sign up for job openings for jobs in a local area and industry specific jobs. Image: Rawpixel