Yes, Yes, Yes, we are always talking about how important your resume is; and it is, but your career is so much more than that.  A great resume (and more importantly the thinking behind a great resume) is essential and the cornerstone of your next career move, but on its own its not going to achieve much.

Moving on in your career requires a great deal more than a great resume. 

The other four main skills you need to master for your next move are:

 

  • Assessing your passion and skills
  • Networking
  • Social media and self-marketing
  • Interview Skills

 

Without this balance of skills, you run the risk of extended period either looking for work, going to interview after interview without success, or missing out on plum opportunities because you just didn’t know they were there.

Assessing your passions and skills:  Many people we see haven’t really stopped to think about what they’re really passionate about doing and if the job they’re in or looking for is the right one for them.  They also struggle with job criteria, looking closely at where they may not meet the role rather than all the way they do meet the criteria and how they can ensure they mitigate the perceived shortcomings where they can’t.  Having a good understanding of yourself is the only way to pass that message onto others.  Without that personal awareness and understanding, potential employers will struggle to see where you’re the best candidate and fit for their company.  If you can’t describe it then no one else can.

Networking:  We can say enough about the value of networking.  For all the people we’ve seen over the years, the statistics stay valid, 75% of people who walk through our doors will get their next job through their network.  Your ability to work or grow your network is directly proportion to how successful you’ll be moving to the nest stage of your career.  If you don’t have a network, get one!  It can be a virtual network through social media or a real one through connections, personal and industry meetings, and conferences.

Social media and Self marketing:  It wouldn’t surprise us if resumes as we know them now won’t exist soon, but all that information will end up online instead.  Already people who hear your name and want to know more will reach for the computer and look you up.  They’ll be suspicious if you don’t have a social media presence and they’ll be put off if you do and it’s no good.  Social media is so important now, people are getting jobs and being rejected based on their social footprint.  Get on social media, then once you’re on there, you need to market yourself, and this helps build your network.

Interview Skills:  This is where the rubber hits the road, and its amazing how many people think they do this well and then always seem to come ‘second’ for that ‘dream job’.  Everything up to this point has only just got you to the starting line.  The interview is the race and if you aren’t ready to be your best and give it your all, there’s no prize for second place.

 

We have so many requests for resume support, people believe this is all they need to make the change or move.  People also take for granted the other key skills, thinking that they’ll be fine.  In this day and age, where people resources are plentiful, robots are taking over jobs, and jobs are hard to get, ignoring these other skills is like running a race with one leg and your hands tied behind your back.

 

Career Life Transitions have the ability and experience to develop a balanced approach to your career move, we can help you develop strong skills in all these areas ensuring you always put your best foot forward regardless of the stage you’re at.  They days of easy employment are gone; your next role is around the corner but where are you in the queue for it.  Take the time to develop a full suite of skills and move to the front of the queue for that dream role.