If you have decided to a) resume your job search from last year b) start fresh by looking for employment this year or c) try to replace your existing employment with better employment, the one factor that will set you apart from your competition is consistency. With the unemployment rate currently hovering around 7%, there will be plenty of competition from job seekers who have the same resolve as you do. But will they have the same consistency?
What I mean by consistency is doing something, anything, that will affect your job search EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY DAY until you have your job. One action that you can take that will separate you from the pack is consistency sending out your resume. Many people will sit down on a weekend or a weeknight, especially if they have just had a disagreement with their current employer, and heavily canvas the job boards. They will send out 10-20 resumes and feel much better about themselves and their prospects for employment. But then they will stop until another disagreement happens. If all you did was send out 1 resume a day to a targeted job that you closely matched for 3 months, you would have 90 resumes on the street. That’s the type of consistency needed to secure employment.
Another action revolves around telling someone everyday that you are searching for a job. This is networking at its finest because the more people that know you are in the market for a job, the more people can help you.
When you have sent out your resumes, and when you have told someone that you are looking for work, do not be afraid to step outside the box and try anything that you feel would be helpful to your employment situation. Try to sell yourself to companies through the value of what you bring to the table. You can do this in a cover letter, resume or an unsolicited proposal. What you are looking for is simply an opportunity to interview. Sometimes multiple interviews are needed before employment is procured. What you must be mindful of is that only one company has to make you an offer of employment in order for you to meet your goal.
Some people are fortunate in that they find employment quickly. For others, finding employment takes time. The key to building momentum in your job search is consistency.
