If you have recently graduated, or are looking to take the next step forward in your career, you may be wondering about the simplest ways that you can improve your career prospects with potential employers. In this article, let’s look into steps every jobseeker can take to learn how to improve your career prospects and improve your chances of landing that dream job.
1. Build your networking circle to enhance your career prospects
In many job opportunities and career growth scenarios, it’s as much about who you know as it is about your skills and qualifications. Building a large network of contacts allows you to be open to a range of job opportunities and also build solid relationships that could be of benefit to your career further down the line. If you’re looking for a simple way to start boosting your career prospects this year, then brand out online or in person to build your networking circle. You might not need your network right now, but you will do in the future if you want to open up new opportunities for your career.
2. Look into work experience
If you are fresh out of university or looking to break into a new career, you need some solid experience behind you to stand out to employers and increase the chances of them hiring you. Look into work experience opportunities in your chosen role or field. Now that virtual working is more popular than ever, there’s even potential for trying out virtual work experience if you are limited by location. While the pay may be limited (or non-existent) for gaining work experience, the skills you could gain will be hugely beneficial and it’s another weapon you can add to your resume arsenal for impressing future employers.
3. Seek training or the completion of qualifications
One of the best ways to impress employers and also gain the skills needed to perform a certain role is to seek out training or qualifications. This does not always necessarily mean signing up for long-term higher education and degrees, often you can seek other avenues. Many courses and qualifications allow you to work a current job alongside it before making a move into your new career or role.
4. Improve your career prospects by maintaining a solid resume
When applying for jobs, your resume is the first impression an employer gets of you and also your potential as an employee. Therefore, it is vital that your resume not only looks good but is kept up-to-date and current. Some useful resume tips to remember is to always keep a master copy of your resume, have references ready, and be prepared to spend some time on it. Make sure to regularly go over your resume and update your resume with any new career accomplishments that will impress potential employers. Research into everything that makes a good resume and ensure that your document is the best it can be and reflects well on you.
5. Value a social media presence
Social media is one of the most effective ways of being noticed by potential employers in the modern age. Sites like LinkedIn allow you to interact and build a network with a range of professionals and shouldn’t be undervalued. When job searching and looking into how to improve your career prospects, ensure that your social media presence is professional and provides details about your skills and employment history, in a way that is appealing to potential employers.
While creating an online presence is important for enhancing your career prospects, there are many ways that you should be careful about what you post on social media too. When using social media to job search, be mindful about what you post on socials or consider setting profiles to private instead.
6. Practice for interview scenarios
It’s not only securing the attention of employers that you need to consider but also how you plan to impress them when it comes to the interview stage. This can be a make-or-break element of your future career prospects, and you need to ensure you are impressing with your personality and skills. There’s no denying that interviews can be pretty intimidating, especially if you’re new to the world of work or have little experience with them. Research the best interview techniques and practice run-throughs of interview situations with friends and family. This will help you feel more comfortable and prepared when sitting in front of real employers.