Over the holiday season, our Career and Job Search Strategist, Lise Stransky, shared 12 Days of Christmas Career Advising Tips. These tips and tricks were aimed at supporting your job search and career health, and we have them summarized conveniently for you here. We invite you to read them and gently challenge you to use them, all throughout the year!
12 Days of Christmas Career Advising Tips
1) Holidays are a great excuse to reconnect with people. Make a list of people, check it twice, and send them a note with nothing more than well wishes!
2) Make jobs come to you. Set up a LinkedIn Job Alert for your desired occupation so you don’t miss out on opportunities.
3) Reflect on 2021. Identify your top 3 most significant learning experiences, your top 3 accomplishments, and 3 new skills you acquired.
4) Update your resume. Make sure it includes accomplishments and achievements, especially if it has not been updated in the last six months.
5) Make sure to save a copy of the job posting you applied to. You’ll need it to prepare for an interview!
6) Take advantage of holiday gatherings and volunteering to talk to people and build your network. Prepare key messages you want to share.
7) Who is worthy of your skills and talents? Create a Top 10 list of companies you would work for. This will direct your professional networking and job search activities.
8) Gift yourself a Calgary Public Library card. Develop skills by taking courses for free on LinkedIn Learning – and then add the completed course to your resume and LinkedIn Profile!
9) “Tell Me About Yourself.” Don’t regurgitate your resume – your interviewer has already read it! Highlight the skills and value you offer. Try: “I am a (creative and methodical) professional. This is important to your organization because… The value I will bring is…”
10) Modify and edit your resume. For every job you apply for. Every. Single. Time. Even if you always apply to the same type of job. Use the keywords, language, and skills listed in the job posting.
11) Sign up for your industry newsletters. Read them – to keep informed on trends and industry standards. Use them – as an opportunity to connect. Send a note to the author of an article you read and share your appreciation or learning.
12) Refresh you career wardrobe before you need it! If working from home during the pandemic meant slippers and pajama bottoms, make sure your professional clothes still fit, aren’t dated, and make you feel great.
Know someone who could benefit from a job search strategy session, resume services, or a refresh on their interview skills with a career advisor? Submit an inquiry online, give us a call at 403.261.5085, or email us at admin@calgarycareeercounselling.com to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
By Lise Stransky, B.A., CCDP at Calgary Career Counselling
