Are you in the market for a new job but unsure of what you want to do? Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for information on hundreds of types of jobs. In the handbook, you’ll find in-depth data regarding required training, earnings, job prospects, job descriptions, job search tips, and more. Using this information, you can better assess what jobs you are currently qualified for or what you’ll need to do to become a viable candidate for others. You can also get an idea of whether or not the working conditions for a certain kind of job are amenable to you. Additionally, you can use the data for various job types to identify keywords and phrases that can be useful in your resume. Check out the handbook here:

Occupational Outlook Handbook

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In today’s electronic hiring environment it’s very important to develop and maintain a job search presence online. You never know when the next job opportunity will arise, and you don’t want to miss that opportunity because you decided not to take the time to establish an online professional profile. Perhaps the most well-known social media network today, in terms of the job search, is LinkedIn, where job seekers can build a profile based on their professional history, gather advice from job search help groups, and network with peers who might know of job openings, etc. When establishing your profile on LinkedIn (and the like), you’ll want to make sure the details of your professional history align with those on your resume. Discrepancies between your online profiles and your resume can raise red flags and cause confusion among hiring decision makers. Don’t give a prospective employer an easy reason to ignore you and your credentials!

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Hello, 2012! Now is the time for job seekers to hit the ground running and tackle their job searches. Here are a few ways to kick-start your job search in the new year:

Build your network. You hear this piece of advice a lot, but it’s extremely important. Be proactive and connect with as many professional contacts as possible. Search LinkedIn and other social media sites for potential connections, for example. Open new pathways to new opportunities, and don’t be afraid to be aggressive. The more contacts you acquire, the better.

Update your resume. Make sure your resume reflects your current knowledge, skills, and accomplishments. Did you do anything in 2011 that you’ve neglected to incorporate into your resume? Add it! Outdated or irrelevant information is a turn-off for employers.

Identify and proactively pursue top-priority job targets. Research employer “gatekeepers” and determine ways to get in contact with them, whether directly or through another internal resource. This is often much more effective than simply applying to an opening online, and you’ll most likely want to devote more time to these efforts.

Beyond your high-priority targets, cast a wide net for other opportunities by applying regularly to positions via online job boards. This is the time of year when budgets are re-assessed and hiring managers actively post new job openings.

Brush up on your interview skills. Research interview questions and prepare succinct yet descriptive answers. Don’t be vague; remember, employers want to hear specifically how you will benefit their organizations. Think: time, money, processes, and productivity.

Let go of 2011. We’ve entered a new year, and it’s time to don a new attitude. Shift your mindset and try to let go of job search trials of the previous year. A positive attitude will undoubtedly permeate your job search.

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