Raise your hand if you hate your job and can’t do anything about it right now? If you raised your hand, you’re not alone. In fact, according to Gallup, only about 30 percent of workers describe themselves as being engaged at work on any given day. Plus, the numbers aren’t much better for managers, with only around 35 percent reporting engagement at work, so your boss’s enthusiasm for the job might also be a factor. Knowing that information isn’t going to make your situation any better, but these four tips just might. Read on, because there is hope for you.
(Photo Credit: JD Hancock/Flickr)
1. Remain as Positive as Humanly Possible
It’s going to take everything within you to find the silver lining in all this, but do whatever you possibly can to remain positive throughout this ordeal – it’s crucial to your success in the future. If you’re down and out and growing more and more jaded by your less-than-desirable job situation, then you’re only going to make your situation (and psyche) worse by wallowing in your misery. What you’re going through is unfortunate, but it’s not forever. Be patient with yourself and use this time to prepare for bigger and better things in the near future.
Resource: 5 Ways to Remain Positive When Your Work Life Is a Downer
2. Create a Resume Employers Actually Want to Read
Now that your head is in the right place, the next step is to update your resume and make it as enticing and impressive as possible. (Important note: there’s nothing wrong with playing up your skills and experience, but, please, do not ever lie on your resume because, when you get found out, it’ll be terribly embarrassing.)
Before you dive in, familiarize yourself with the six most important parts of your resume, and also do your best to not include any of these five items that could ruin your candidacy. Your resume is your first impression for recruiters/employers, so don’t neglect this part of the process, because it could cost you a dream opportunity.
Resource: 5 Tips to Make Your Resume Look Good
3. Update Your LinkedIn Profile
Despite what the skeptics (and you) may think, LinkedIn is a resource for recruiters and employers during the hiring process. In fact, some companies allow you to apply for jobs using your LinkedIn profile – there’s literally a button that says “Apply with LinkedIn.”
Bottom line: don’t neglect your LinkedIn profile if you’re job searching, because recruiters will look at it. You can increase your visibility on LinkedIn by writing your profile in a way that attracts more recruiters and boosts your popularity on the professional social network.
What’s nice about revamping your resume and LinkedIn profile is that you are able to refresh your memory on all of your qualifications, skill sets, and experience – because, if you don’t know what you have to offer, how do you expect to leverage it?
Resource: How to Build the Perfect LinkedIn Profile [infographic]
4. Start Your (Secret) Job Search
Once you’re rolling on LinkedIn, it’s time to make sure the rest of your online presence is in good shape for your job hunt – especially since you might need to keep your search a secret from your current employers.
Clean up your personal social media profiles, so as to not let a not-so-terrific photo or post be the reason you’re passed up. Familiarize yourself with the things recruiters are looking for on your social profiles, and steer clear of some of the most common social media mistakes that could hurt your job search.
Resource: 5 Tips for Searching for a Job While Still Employed
Making a good first impression is crucial in today’s job market. It’s estimated that recruiters will spend an average of six seconds looking at your resume, so you want to make those seconds count.
Just because you’re currently at a dead-end job now and miserable, doesn’t mean you should carry that mentality over into your job search. Redirect that energy to perfecting your marketability as a candidate and to finding that dream career you want and deserve.
Tell Us What You Think
Were you once in this situation and now have your dream job? Share your experience with our community on Twitter and provide some words of wisdom for the members who wish to emulate your success, or feel free to leave a comment below.
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