Your resume and cover letter are the first things an employer sees about you. Getting them right is crucial, because these documents can be the difference between landing your dream job or getting overlooked. If you’ve just finished college, been laid off, or taken time off to care for loved ones, a career re-launch might be on your horizon. These are some of the best ways to get your career back on track if you’ve recently switched industries, gotten fired, changed roles, or left your last job for personal reasons. We got tips from career experts and compiled 6 ways to start your careerreload.com resume and cover letter–and make sure it lands you the job you want next time around.
Network and research smart
Networking is one of the most important ways to start your career, but you’ll want to do it wisely. If you’re new to the job market, you may have a harder time building a network right away. But don’t worry; there are still ways to get connected. First, make a list of people you know and are interested in connecting with. You can also search for professional organizations or groups in your field, and see if they have any groups or events in your area. Go to these events, and make sure to introduce yourself to everyone you can. Offer to help others in the group as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to ask for help too if you need it. You can also try online networking tools, like LinkedIn, where you can find jobs, research companies, and connect with others who work in your industry.
Update your resume and skillset
If you’ve been off the job market for a while, it can be hard to know what to put on your resume. If you’ve been out of the workforce for a few years, the first thing to do is update your resume to reflect the skills and experiences you do have. It may not feel like you have much to talk about, but don’t stress. You can include virtually any experience on your resume, as long as it’s relevant. If you’ve been out of the workforce for a while and have no skills or experience to put on your resume, you may want to consider taking some kind of skill-building program or course. You can also add volunteer work and non-profit work to your resume. If you have kids, you can even add babysitting and nanny work to your resume. Most importantly, make sure that everything you put on your resume is updated, accurate, and reflects the skills you want to use in your next job.
Take an assessment test
If you’re not sure what you want to do with your career, you can take a career assessment. These tests can give you ideas about what you might like to do, as well as exactly what skills you have that could help you get a job in that field. Some of the best-known career assessment tests include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Strong Interest Inventory, and the Pearman-Kunkel Career Scales Assessment. These tests can be found online or at a college career center. Once you take the test, sit down and look over the results to see what they say about you. You can also use these tests to help you figure out where to start looking for a job — many companies use them to help them find the right candidates for their job openings. If you want to work for a big company like Apple or Google, you can search for their careers page and find out what assessment you need to take to apply for a job there.
Develop transferable skills
Transferable skills are the things you can do, like communication, organization, and analytical skills that can apply to any job or industry. You can boost your resume by taking classes or training to build up your resume and increase your skills. You can also make sure to include these transferable skills on your resume so that potential employers know the skills you have. You can look at the skills listed on your old resume, and think about which ones you can build up. If your skills aren’t applicable to your next job, you may have a harder time getting the position. Make sure to use these skills on your resume to help potential employers know you are the right person for the job.
Revamp your resume with a professional revamp
If you’ve been out of the workforce for a while, your resume probably needs a revamp, and it’s easy to do. Start by looking at the job postings for the industry or position you want. Make a list of the skills and experience the job description asks for. Then, look at your resume, and try to find ways to rework it to include these skills. Next, take a look at your professional skills. Make a list of the skills you have, like leadership, organization, and communication skills. Figure out how you can use these skills in your next job to make an impact. Make sure to use these skills on your resume to really highlight them for potential employers.
Write a stellar cover letter
A cover letter is your chance to expand on the skills and experience you have on your resume. A cover letter is your chance to give a detailed explanation of why you’d be a good fit for the job. If you’ve been out of the workforce for a while, you may want to use a different approach than what you would’ve used right out of college. While you can still use your resume to highlight your skills, a cover letter is a chance to show emotion and passion. Talk about the struggles you’ve faced and how they’ve made you stronger. Show that you’ve been looking for a job because you want to make a difference with your career. Make sure to use the cover letter to talk about the specific job you’ve applied for, and how you can make an impact.
Conclusion
Your resume and cover letter are the first things an employer sees about you. Getting them right is crucial, because these documents can be the difference between landing your dream job or getting overlooked. If you’ve just finished college, been laid off, or taken time off to care for loved ones, a career re-launch might be on your horizon. These are some of the best ways to get your career back on track if you’ve recently switched industries, gotten fired, changed roles, or left your last job for personal reasons. We got tips from career experts and compiled 9 ways to start your career—and make sure it lands you the job you want next time around.