You wouldn’t leave for a road trip without a map (or your trusty GPS), so why would you embark on your career journey without a clear direction. In today’s highly competitive job market, having a clear, well researched roadmap is essential to getting your foot in the door, landing interviews, and securing an offer. Whether you’re looking for your first full-time job in your field or your next step toward your dream career, there are a few important steps to keep in mind before you start sending out dozens of resumes.
Starting without a strategy. What problems are you trying to solve over the course of your career and why? The answer doesn’t have to be “cure cancer” or “achieve world peace.” But having a clear why will make sure your search is tailored to your specific goals and aspirations. Once you establish your why, brainstorm the qualities you’re looking for in a career that tie back to your why. You can use this list of attributes to narrow your career search, stay focused on your long-term goals, and return to them during the interview process for a final check that any potential job aligns with your career goals.
Not looking at all your options. There are new career paths and jobs emerging every day. Even traditional career paths have more options available to them than ever before. Look both inside and outside the field you think you want to end up in and search for positions based on skills and goals, in organizations aligned with your values, rather than title. Targeted but open is a term we commonly use in that you can be targeted toward your ideal job or location but open to other opportunities that could be out there as well. A great way to expand your view of a potential career is to look at the career trajectories of other graduates from your school or program to see where they started and where they’ve ended up.
Failing to see the big picture. You don’t need to know exactly where you’ll be in 10 years, but try to envision where you want to be. Then look at what steps you need to take to get there. By developing short- and long-term goals, you can stay focused on the big picture, like your dream title, while remaining in the present and chipping away at more tangible stepping stones.
Skimping on your story. Sure, showing relevant work experience is crucial to building a resume, but more than ever, employers want more of “you” than what’s on that piece of paper. In addition to customizing your resume for each job application, you also should share your story, your personal narrative, in your LinkedIn profile, cover letter, and interviews. Even though many job listings say cover letters are optional, they are an invaluable tool—especially for keeping your resume out of the void of automated application systems. Tailor each of these tools to the appropriate audience by clearly and concisely communicating who you are, what you’ll add to the company, and why they would be making a mistake by not hiring you.
