Before You Apply: Conclusion

Trying to switch positions can be a difficult task but you can simplify the process and increase your success by working on self improvement before even looking at any job listings. In this series we looked over the benefits of understanding what is expected in your industry along with how you are being perceived by hiring managers. We discussed how to cultivate your personal brand along with developing traits that will help your application stand out amongst the crowd. Lastly we looked at how leveraging your contact pool can help get referrals and recommendations for your next undertaking.

These activities should always be ongoing. If you stay on top of all of these areas before you are actually wanting to apply for a new position you will not have to spend energy here and can then focus on customizing the perfect cover letter and resume for application rather than expending energy in both areas at the same time.

Once you have found a specific opportunity that you want to go after you should review this process again while considering what the position specifically requires. Tweaks may be beneficial to highlight specific areas outlined for the job but having an update base will decrease the turnaround time for your application.

For a more in depth discussion of what can be done before starting to apply for a new position check out our webinar on February 18, Preparations you should be doing before you apply for a new position. We will be walking through some examples and clarifying any questions that participants may have. We look forward to seeing you there.