Bag that dream job in 2011

Dreaming of landing the job of your dreams in 2011?

with only a few days to go before the end of the year, job seekers should take the time to list down their New Year’s Resolutions geared toward career development.

Here are some “resolutions” jobseekers might want to adopt as their own:

1. Set concrete goals. Make sure that your “roadmap” is a doable guide to achieve your goals. These could be as simple as creating a better resume’, taking a short course to enhance your communication skills, ordering a new set of professional-looking business cards or having a make-over to boost your confidence. These goals shall serve as your “must dos” for 2011 as far as your job hunting is concerned. No excuses.

2. Assess. Write down what you loved and hated about your previous jobs so that you could come up with the job description that would best fit you. Use this to guide you in your job search.

3. Link up. In this age of Facebook/Twitter and other social networking sites, you could hook up with possible employers much faster. And with your active presence in these sites, there is a huge percentage a friend or a relative could link you up with somebody who is in need of your skills and talents. You could even create your own website or your own video resume.

4. Get out of your comfort zone. While it is true that you should keep your New Year’s Resolutions doable, you should also learn to get out of your comfort zone and open yourself up to more opportunities and possibilities. Push yourself to the limit of your creativity. Break out of your routine, try something new, acquire a new skill, learn a new language. This will give you a definite competitive edge over other applicants.

5. Set deadlines. You don’t have to accomplish your goals all at the same time but it would be best if you could set a deadline for the completion of all of your mini-goals. That way, you will be able to gauge your progress and you would be more motivated to move on to the next. One of the main reaons why New Year Resolutions fall apart is because of the lack of timeline for all the goals you’ve set.

6. Prioritize. Dedicate appropriate amount of time in your job search. Devote yourself full time to your job search. Develop your sense of awareness as to new opportunities that would be perfect for you.

7. Celebrate. As soon as you accomplish a mini-goal, give yourself a reward. Hang out with friends, dine in your favorite restaurant, indulge in some pampering treatments. These should be nothing huge and pricey but something memorable enough to mark the “milestones” you’ve accomplished so far. These will also serve as your pleasant reminders that you are on the right track and you’re well on your way to accomplishing your major goal – getting that dream job.

8. Practice. Sure, you’ve read tons of tips on acing that job interview. But nothing beats an actual practice session with a friend who could act out as your “employer”. These practice sessions, experts say, actually boost’s a job seeker’s confidence during the actual interview.

9. Read and do research. If you’re eyeing a job position in one particular company, make sure to research about their company profile, the position that you want and the whole mechanics of this company. Employers appreciate an applicant who show genuine interest in their company.

10. De-stress. Master the art of de-stressing. There will be definitely be moments when you will be discouraged in the process of your job hunting but instead of sulking and dwelling on the negative energis, a wise job hunter should be able to rise above these with ease. Find comfort in your friends who could give you solid advice on how to do better the next time around. –Manila Bulletin