The Importance of Making Time for Career Reflection
By: Heidi Sawyer – Manager, Market Engagement
There is something so magical about the month of December, the chill in the air, beautiful blankets of fresh snow, and the time spent with friends and family during this joy-filled month.
No better time than December to make some career magic happen too. And all it requires is taking a little time for self-reflection. Making the time for this practice and being brutally honest with yourself will pay off dividends for you professionally.
Where Did You Succeed?
Most people are humble by nature, which is an incredible quality to have, but while you may not need public recognitions of your accomplishments you should be keeping track of them to ensure that you are able to speak to them accurately when necessary.
What were your goals for the year? When was the last time you reviewed them? What can you check-off as being accomplished? In your performance review
Tailor Your Resume.
The overall objective of a resume is to let an employer know, with clarity, that you have the skills they are looking for to address their immediate hiring needs. While it should be an accurate description of your work history and skills, what matters most is relevancy.
It is likely that the employer is receiving dozens of resumes for each position they are hiring for, so it is crucial that you are making sure you stand out. This is accomplished by tailoring your resume to the specific position you are applying for. Thoroughly read the job description paying close attention to any keywords they are using and any specific skills they are looking for. Use this information to determine if you are the right fit for the job. If you are, then make sure that the resume clearly demonstrates that you have what they are looking for.
This one step can make all the world of difference in helping the employer envision you being successful in the role and making immediate contributions to their organization.
Triple Check Everything.
Inevitably, we all make mistakes! That’s okay, but the fact remains that you never get a second chance at making a first impression. When you are preparing to send off that resume or application to a potential employer, being thorough is essential.
In addition to using a text editor, double check the finished product yourself and even ask a grammar-savvy friend to do the same before you click send. While a spelling error or misplaced punctuation mark may not sound like a big deal in theory, it can say a lot about your attention to detail and your commitment to quality work.
When a recruiter is sifting through applications and determining who to select for an interview, your resume serves as that first impression – the only piece of information they initially have to evaluate you on. So make it count.
If you are currently looking for employment, we encourage you to take the time to create an account with us. We look forward to helping you find your next great career!
