Change is the one constant in life, and when it comes to your career, change can be an exciting opportunity to grow, thrive, and find happiness in your work. If you’re reading this, you’ve already taken the first step—acknowledging that you’re ready for something new. Congratulations! Now, let’s dive into how you may make that change a reality.
Step 1: Visualize Your Dream Job
Before you start updating your résumé or applying for jobs, take a moment to reflect. What does your ideal job look like? Picture yourself in that role. Imagine your daily routine, the tasks you’d be doing, and how it would feel to wake up every morning excited to go to work.
Don’t rush this process. Let yourself dream a little. Write down your thoughts and keep revisiting this vision. The more you connect emotionally with your goal, the more motivated you’ll be to make it happen.
Step 2: Assess Your Current Skills
Take a good, hard look at your current job. What are you great at? What skills have you developed that could transfer to your dream role? This is your foundation. Think about both your hard skills (like technical expertise) and your soft skills (like communication or leadership).
Step 3: Get Your Résumé Professionally Written
Here’s the truth: writing your own résumé is tough. It’s like trying to write your own biography in the third person—it’s awkward, and you’re probably too close to your own story to see it clearly. That’s where a professional résumé writer comes in.
A skilled résumé writer knows how to identify and highlight your strengths, tailor your résumé to beat Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and make sure it gets noticed by human eyes. Trust me, this is an investment in your future.
Step 4: Do Your Homework
Before you hand your information over to a résumé writer, do some research. What’s the exact position you’re aiming for? What skills and qualifications are employers looking for?
Now, dig deeper. Think about the challenges you’ve faced in your career, the actions you took to overcome them, and the results you achieved. This is the secret sauce for a winning résumé. Employers want to see how you’ve made an impact in the past so they can imagine the impact you’ll make for them.
Step 5: Go Beyond the Résumé
These days, simply submitting a résumé isn’t enough. You need to stand out. Here’s how:
- Find the right person: Do some detective work to discover who will be reviewing your application. This might mean reaching out to current employees of your target company or doing some LinkedIn sleuthing.
- Send a personal message: Once you have a name, send a polite, professional email directly to that person. Attach your résumé and briefly highlight why you’re a great fit for the role. Be respectful of their time, but don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm.
Step 6: Follow Up Like a Pro
Whether you get an interview or not, always follow up. If you’re invited to interview, send a thank-you email confirming your excitement about the opportunity. If you’re passed over, thank them for their time and ask if they know of any other opportunities that might be a good fit.
Networking is key. Even if you don’t land the job, you’ve made a connection—and that connection could lead to something amazing down the road.
Step 7: Keep Going
Rejection is tough, but it’s not the end of the road. If you didn’t get the job, it just means there’s something better waiting for you. Keep refining your approach, keep applying, and keep believing in yourself.
Remember, this process isn’t just about finding a job—it’s about discovering more about yourself, your strengths, and what truly makes you happy.
A Final Word (With a Dash of Humor)
Let’s be honest: job hunting can feel like dating. You put yourself out there, try to make a great first impression, and sometimes… you get ghosted. But just like in dating, the right match is out there. It just takes patience, persistence, and a little bit of faith.
So, take a deep breath, trust the process, and don’t forget to smile. You’ve got this!
If you’re ready to take the next step, let’s talk. As a professional résumé writer with extensive years of experience, I’m here to help you craft a résumé that opens doors. Visit me at apersonalscribe.com, and let’s get started on your journey to career happiness.
Change is coming—are you ready? Let’s make it happen together!
By Rosie Bixel, Director
A Personal Scribe Résumé Writing & Design
www.APresonalScribe.com
