Here’s a little advice from Dr. Hansen which appeared in the Daytona Beach News-Journal. The topics include:

How Can I Get a Job?

You know, you can’t get any more basic in a question to a career column than this one, but I am going to expand my answer a bit. Since we are well into our Florida spring weather, it seems only fitting that everyone reading this column do a little spring cleaning – no, not getting your house and yard in order, but getting your career in order. How long has it been since you spent any time reviewing your position and planning for a job or career change?

So, whether you are looking for your first job, or just taking a hard look at your career, here is my 10-step career tune-up.

Step 1: Examine your life/ career. Are you where you want to be in your career? How well does your current job and career path meet your life goals? Be completely honest with yourself in answering these questions.

Step 2: Set career/job-search goals. Create a vision of where you see yourself in six months, in six years. Research careers, jobs, and employers. Be sure all your goals are realistic.

Step 3: Reconnect with/expand your network. Your network of personal contacts is the most powerful job-search tool under your control. Expand, build, strengthen your network.

Step 4: Upgrade your knowledge/skills. Employers want employees who have a set of what’s termed “soft” skills, including communications (written and verbal), interpersonal, teamwork, problem-solving, analytical and adaptability.

Step 5: Consider additional training/education. One of the best ways to improve your employability is to gain additional knowledge, training, or certification.

Step 6: Update/polish your resume. There are so many new rules of resume-writing, including different formats and versions, that you best spend a fair amount of time on this step.

Step 7: Learn/refresh job-search techniques. Do you know how to generate job leads? How to use your network? You must stay current with the latest job-search techniques.

Step 8: Practice interviewing. One of the most overlooked areas of job-hunting is preparing and practicing for job interviews. Research the employer; practice answering common interview questions.

Step 9: Test your market-ability. Job-hunting is all about marketing yourself to employers. Determine what makes you unique among all other job-seekers.

Step 10: Consider advancing internally. Don’t always assume the best job opportunities are those waiting for you outside your current employer.

Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., is a career expert who has authored numerous publications on career development and job hunting. He is the owner of Quintessential Careers and an associate professor of marketing at Stetson University. Send career and job questions to careerdr@quintcareers.com.

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