10 Things to Do This Week for Your Job Search

By Alison Doyle

Even if you’re not job searching today, it makes sense to be prepared to job hunt.  You may decide it’s time to say goodbye to your current job. Your employer may decide you’re no longer needed. You never know for certain what might transpire at work.

On average, people change jobs 11 times during their career, so it’s going to happen at some point. It’s better to be prepared than to have to job hunt in panic mode. Here are 10 things you can do to help ensure you’re ready to get hired.

Have a professional development plan in place.  Identify skills, areas of knowledge or proficiency with technology which will give you an edge in the job market.  Make sure you can always tell a prospective employer about assets which you are currently developing.

Maintain an up-to-date LinkedIn profile which incorporates your latest accomplishments.

Make sure your resume is current so there will be no delay if you move into job search mode.  Redo your resume if the focus is on responsibilities rather than accomplishments and value added. Employers are now focusing on candidates who can generate the best results. Review resume samples and advice on updating your resume.


Make sure you have references ready to go should you need them.  A good tactic is to bolster your LinkedIn recommendations and endorsements.  Write recommendations for other LinkedIn contacts and endorse their skills.  Some of these individuals will reciprocate or, at the least, you will feel more comfortable asking them for a recommendation.

Things 5-10 and the complete About.com article