Getting Hired: How to Quickly Position Yourself as an A+ Candidate

Ever heard people complain that they just don’t seem to have enough time to do the things they want to do, like reorganize their closet, learn to cook, or even find a new job? Well, if you ask any successful person how they got to where they are today, I guarantee it is not by complaining about everything that is on their plate.

As a recruiter, my job entails enticing top talent to meet with the companies I am representing. Often I will hear from candidates that they are not happy in their job, but that they do not have any time to look, and furthermore do not know where to begin. The advice I always give my candidates is: keep you resume up-to-date and be open to hearing about any opportunities that come your way. If feel you are stuck in your job, chances are it is time to leave and take control! Here are some tips on how to kick off 2012 by getting hired and starting a new career.

• Read Everything! I mean it. Do not just read the local newspaper, but get your information from a couple different sources as well as reading popular books. Now having apps on your smartphone, iPad, and Kindle makes it very easy to read while you ride in the elevator, take a cab ride, or before bed. The more you read, the better off you will be. Reading gives you a never-ending supply of conversation topics for “cocktail” or “interview” conversation.
• Keep your resume up to date. “Time kills all deals,” as they say in sales. This could not be more accurate. Often times a candidate will tell me they need to freshen up their resume, and take about a week to do so. We are all busy, but if you are trying to get ahead, take a couple hours on the weekend to get your resume up to speed. This way, if an interesting opportunity presents itself, you are ready and will not lose out to a more prepared candidate.
• Find the time. As I mentioned, we are all plagued with the daily, “I don’t know how I am going to get this done!” or the “I wish I had time to do this,” but the bottom line is that if something is important to you, you need to make time to do it! Whether it be starting a new exercise routine, or volunteering, or even getting more sleep, you just need to prioritize and get it done. Find areas of your life where you are wasting time or spending too much time, and replace it with something you want to do. This will make you a well-rounded person in the long run.

Keep in mind that you have control over your career happiness. The steps I outlined will help you become a more marketable and desirable candidate. There is no such thing as not having enough time to find another job; you just need to position yourself better. Best of luck in 2012, and happy job hunting!