You Need Top Performers: 3 Things to Look For in Your Next Hire

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While the goal of every hiring is to find the best candidate for the position, it can be challenging to determine which characteristics are most valuable.  While an ability to perform the tasks associated with the position will always be a key, additional traits can take an employee from mediocre to excellent within a workplace.  Before you send an official offer out to your next hire, consider these three signs of a top performer in the making.

Emphasis on Their Craft

While all technical employees are expected to understand their area of expertise, top performers push to excel at the technical aspects of their job.  Often, they keep up-to-date with industry trends for their own benefit, and may even pursue outside training to keep pace with the evolving industry.  While they may also possess generalist skills in other technical areas, they demonstrate a true passion for their specific area, and will likely bring an increased level of energy to the position.

This level of focus often accompanies a tendency to take the initiative in regards to their work, as well as the development of their skills.  These workers generally seek out new assignments when the opportunities arise, and are open to exploring new and different ways to handle tasks as they are assigned.  They tend to believe that challenges within their work provide them an opportunity to grow when others may see it in a less positive light.

Respect for Organizational Priorities

Regardless of the personal preference, top performers understand that respecting a business’s bottom line is essential to overall business success.  With that in mind, they are willing to contribute to whichever tasks best support the business, and will always make critical tasks a priority.  Additionally, they treat business priorities as their own, making the success of these tasks a personal priority worthy of extreme care and attention.

While adequate employees may hem and haw about taking on responsibilities outside of their core focus, top performers will accept responsibilities that are within their capacity in times of need.  This often makes them a go-to employee in moments of crisis, and ideal candidates for future development, as their flexibility can make them easy to work with during times of change.

Relationship-Oriented

Top performers know how to network.  They are comfortable working with personnel from within all of the levels of an organization, and handles external contacts with ease.  Additionally, they are often willing to jump in and lend a hand to coworkers who may be struggling or overwhelmed by current tasks

Relationship-oriented employees often have large support networks outside of their current organization, allowing them access to additional sources of knowledge in cases where assistance is needed quickly.

Often, top performers are also seen as emotionally stable, and brings a level of consistency to their work and their environment.  They are willing to compromise, and have an open mind when it comes to hearing the concerns of others with a stake in a project or issue.

Are you looking for top performers?

By focusing on candidates who bring these traits to the table, you increase your odds of finding the kind of employee who will be a top performer for your business.  If you would like assistance in locating your next superstar employee, contact Resolution Technologies today and let their experience guide you along the way.

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A Reflection On Rio

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Spotlight! Nataly Arias

Resolution Technology’s own Nataly Arias had the opportunity to participate in the 2016 Olympic Summer Games held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil as a member of the Colombian Women’s Soccer team. Here, she shares some of her experience with our readers during an interview.

What were your overall impressions of the Rio Games?

Obviously, it’s hard not to sound cliché, but it was an incredible experience. The beautiful climate and environment were wonderful. The people were welcoming and were great hosts. Excellent security. We were really well taken care of, but also got the cultural aspect. It was a beautiful experience.

Did you have any especially fun moments in Rio?

Our last group match when we tied the U.S. The game had a lot of fans for Colombia. It was an incredible environment with lots of energy and support. We really felt the crowd pushing us through. We tied the world champions, and were beating them at one point. I really felt good about that performance.

Were you able to spend time at any other sporting events?

Unfortunately, we were never actually in Rio. The soccer teams traveled around the country. In Belo Horizonte we played France, and New Zealand at the Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto known as Mineirão. We played the United States in Manaus at the Arena da Amazônia. Manaus is very famous, very tropical. We were not in the [Olympic] Village to experience the other sports.

What is your biggest takeaway from the games?

The understanding that these Olympic Games was an exciting time for the Women’s sports in general.  Female professional athletes are seeing more true support. Not just from fans, but also from big companies, big agencies, trying to represent women from other countries and pushing the sport forward.  Global organizations, such as FIFA, are trying to create programs where women are receiving financial support and most importantly the opportunity to play for their country on the world stage to push women’s soccer forward.

Due to our success, Colombia will be launching a professional league for women. This platform gave a lot of girls, from all over the world, a chance to see us as role models, and to see that maybe they can grow and develop in sport. Global awareness was most rewarding, especially for women.

Is there a moment where you were especially proud of yourself, your team, your nation?

[I was] proud of our nation. This was the most successful time in our history. We won numerous medals, and most of the gold medalists were women. This was very fitting in the sense that we don’t normally get the same notoriety and support. The disparity is much larger in Colombia than here in the United States.

For the women that took it upon themselves to do so well, having women at the top of their sport, trying to create cultural change within Colombia, they are not only helping the sport, but also helping women have a better place in society.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about your experience?

I am very grateful to Resolution Technologies. They gave me the opportunity to compete.

Throughout this process, it looks incredible from the outside, but it is a lot of sacrifice, even though it is a sacrifice you are happy to make. I’ve been doing this since I was four years old. As an adult, still being able to pay your bills and be independent of your parents, still having to train and knowing that it’s not free, the struggle was more than worth it. I am grateful.

People need to know it was a struggle. I had faith in myself and a great support system. A huge part of that was the company I work for, and them allowing me to come back, especially Joe Bell, the president of [Resolution Technologies]. I want people to know that, although it was fun, it was still difficult. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my company.

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Hate Public Speaking? Upgrade the Way You Present

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The fear of public speaking is one of the most cited phobias amongst working adults. This can lead to notable challenges for those who must speak in front of groups on a regular basis. Luckily, there are a variety of techniques available to help you work through discomfort, allowing you to not just cover the material, but present it in a new, “upgraded” way.

Gain Confidence in the Subject

Most people who are asked to speak to a large group are being asked to share their area of expertise. Having confidence in your understanding of the subject matter, as well as the content of the presentation, can help boost your confidence overall.

Instead of focusing your energy on the idea of speaking, focus on the material instead. You may find yourself comforted by the fact that you are familiar with the information, which may make the entire process less intimidating.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Public speaking is a skill. As with any skill, practice makes (reasonably) perfect. After you have developed your material, rehearse your speech out loud, and then do it again and again. By going through your presentation completely, including verbalizing your points, you will become more comfortable with how you intend to present the material. Additionally, it will allow you to smooth out any transition statements to help your speech feel more natural and flowing.

Memorize Your Slides

Knowing the order in which your slides will appear can also help relieve a level of anxiety regarding the presentation. Not only will you look for professional, as you will not have to refer to the slide visually at every transition, you may also be more comfortable since you are confident in what to expect as you move forward.

Prepare for Tough Questions

If your presentation includes a question and answer session, prepare answers for any difficult questions or challenging aspects of the material. This can be especially helpful for items that require specific statistics or other concrete data to support your answer. If appropriate, prepare additional slides that cover the information, just in case the question arises. Not only will that provide you with a reference point for your response, it may also make the answer easier for audience members to understand.

Presentations are Not Performances

Regardless of how many people are in the room, presentations are not performances. Instead, they are structured conversations. Your primary goal is to inform, not to entertain. By keeping that thought in the forefront of your mind, you may find the situation less stressful.

Do Not Focus on Audience Expressions

When under stress, we tend to misinterpret the true nature of facial expressions. This issue can be compounded by the fact that audience members are less inclined to produce positive visual clues even when they are enjoying the content. Many audience members will appear to have a blank expression due to the fact that audience members listen in a different way than those engaged in a social interaction. The shift in the paradigm causes them to focus more on the content of your speech and less on providing you with cues regarding their receptiveness to the content.

Visualize Success

Visualization is a powerful tool that anyone can develop, and can also be as effective as actual practice. The key is too actually imagine yourself giving the presentation, from beginning to end, in detail. This can include every step of the walk towards the podium, looking out over the audience, and reciting each line of your presentation.

Don’t Fear Silence

When you are presenting, even a small pause can feel like an eternity of silence, even though it isn’t. Fight the urge to rush through material by allowing yourself to pause regularly. You can use the time to regain your composure or even squeeze in some deep breathing. By keeping the pace methodical, you may feel less frantic than if you try to rush through the material as quickly as possible.

Are you looking for a new job in the IT field?

If you are looking for more on how to upgrade your public speaking skills, or are interested in finding a new position in the IT field, Resolution Technologies has the answer to your most burning questions. Contact Resolution Technologies today!

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3 IT Soft Skills You NEED to Succeed!

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While many people focus on hard skills when developing their IT career, your soft skills can be just as critical to your success.  Many college and university graduates leave the classroom armed with the technical ability and know-how to work on today’s most advanced systems in fast-paced and challenging environments. However, this form of experience does not necessarily indicate that a potential employee has the soft skills necessary to function well within a workplace.

Combine this with the fact that while hard skills are often easy to teach and transfer to new employees, soft skills cannot be so easily developed through standard forms of instruction, which makes those who already possess these traits even more valuable.  In order to ensure your IT career will flourish, make sure you work to develop your soft skills, especially in these three key areas.

Communication Skills

The IT field can be highly technical, making it seem very complex to co-workers who are not as familiar with the terminology and the intricacies of the profession.  In order to work more effectively with others, your communication skills will need to be developed in such a way as to allow you to work with those who may not have the same knowledge base or experience.

Sophisticated communication skills will allow you to explain the necessary information to those who are less familiar with the subject without sounding condescending.  This is critical when you are responsible for training users in the proper operation of new technology-based solutions, working with members of management to create project plans and outline business goals, as well as for guiding user requirements during product development.

Teamwork and Collaboration

While communicating effectively with other employees is important, so is the ability to work effectively as part of a team.  Within the IT sector, a project’s success is rarely based on the work of a single individual, especially as more technologies begin to integrate with each other in new ways.

Being able to work as part of a team allows individuals to pool their strengths and offset their weaknesses.  It can also serve as a wonderful learning opportunity for those interested in advancing their current skill set or cross-training into similar areas.  For example, the movement towards unified communication technology has begun to integrate voice services with other IT messaging solutions in ways that would previously have been unimaginable, and those efforts are now integrating with mobile technology and cloud-based IT solutions.  Being part of a collaborative team effort allows you to gain exposure into new areas, as well as network with other professionals with compatible skill sets.

Adaptability and Creativity

With the pace at which IT seems to change, an IT professional needs to be prepared to adapt to the shifting environment in creative ways.  This can include dealing unexpected changes to project requirements, most often referred to as scope creep, as well as adjustments to overall business priorities that can cause one project to be shelved in favor of pursuing another.

Additionally, you may be required to conjure unique solutions to improve the overall effectiveness of a final product, including integrating features across multiple systems while promoting mobility within the workplace.  This can lead you to use your knowledge in new ways, and being open to trying solutions that may not have been attempted before, in order to produce the desired outcome.

Looking for a Career in IT?

If you are looking for ways to help make your soft skills shine, the professionals at Resolution Technologies are here to help.  With a focus in technical staffing, we understand what current employers are looking for beyond the basic hard skills in the job descriptions.  Contact Resolution Technologies Today!

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Unlocking Productivity: 2 Keys to Motivating Your IT Team

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Keeping your IT team motivated requires dedication.  It is often easy to ignore the need to encourage employees when times are good, and it can be difficult to figure out the best way to help them rally after a setback.  In order to provide your team with the support and direction they require, consider these two key areas when determining how best to motivate your team.

Allow the Positive to Envelop the Challenges

Regardless of the overall success of a project, there are always some positive takeaways that should be acknowledged.  In cases where things met or exceeded expectations, taking time to review what efforts made the project a success, and how they can be implemented for future projects, not only demonstrates to the team you are aware of their efforts, but also you want to help them continue moving in a positive direction.

If a project was not entirely successful, reviewing the things that did go right will find the positives in a situation that may otherwise feel quite negative.  Once the positives are highlighted, work with the team to develop constructive feedback on any needed improvements.  Avoid placing blame unnecessarily. Instead, use it as an opportunity for growth and encouragement.  Follow up any critical assessments by reaffirming the positive occurrences to show , though there may be room to improve next time, the team still provided value through their efforts.

In the end, successes should always be acknowledged, and even celebrated when the situation calls for it.  Recognizing hard work and providing praise can go a long way to keeping your team working with the same dedication you have come to expect.

Listen With Intent

While most people understand the value of listening to your team, listening involves much more than simply not speaking.  When you are soliciting feedback and input, take the time to understand what your team values as well as what they find frustrating.

Employees who feel aligned with the mission or goals of a business are more likely to remain engaged in their work.  By learning what your team sees as intrinsically important within your business’s activities, you can help them connect their work with those key points.

By being open to hearing about their frustrations, you can come to understand what about the work, or the environment, may be preventing them from performing to their full potential.  An employee may feel additional training opportunities would allow them to more comfortably perform certain necessary duties, or cross-training would allow the team to better understand one another’s functions while also being available to provide support.

Some team members may express they feel overworked or under an undue amount of pressure, while others may feel they are not being fully utilized by the company.  As you learn about what the team values, as well as the individuals within it, make adjustments to allow each employee to thrive based on their needs and preferences.

Further, encourage them to recommend their own solutions to any expressed frustrations.  By being asked to share their ideal scenario, this can motivate employees by showing you value their judgment.

Looking For Top IT Candidates?

If you are looking for additional ways in which you can motivate your team, or to begin the search for your next team member, Resolution Technologies is available to assist.  With staffing experience specifically focused on technology, we understand the challenges managers and employees face within the workplace, and can help develop a plan to bring out the best in everyone involved.  Contact Resolution Technologies today and let our experience become your experience.

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Essentials Every New IT Manager Needs

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Stepping into your first IT management role can feel like walking into another world.  The position comes with a new set of roles and responsibilities that are well removed from the day-to-day tasks of an IT professional.  If you want to prepare to take your seat at the management table, here are some management essentials every new IT manager should possess.

Be Technically Competent

If you are going to lead a team of IT professionals, it is critical that you have a working understanding of their various skill sets and areas of expertise.  While you may not need to be able to perform every task that is assigned to each team member, you should have a fundamental understanding of every key piece of software, primary operating platforms, and other critical technology-based solutions that are being created, used, or supported by your team.

Be Able Take Charge and Lead Well

Whether you are taking a promotion within your current leadership structure or are beginning with a new company, be prepared to assert yourself in the role.  This includes effectively communicating your expectations to your new team, as well as serving as their representative in larger leadership gatherings.

As an IT manager, you function as a go-between in regards to your team and other nontechnical areas of the business.  You have to make sure other business areas understand what it takes to meet certain technical expectations, as well as be realistic about what is or is not possible based on your current resources.  At times, this requires being able to express highly technical information in a way that is easily understood by those without an IT background, as this helps ensure business-wide comprehension.

Be a Problem Solver and Negotiator

Regardless of the skills brought by your and the members of your team, issues will inevitably arise.  Whether it is based on a technical error or unexpected incompatibility, or a project goal that cannot be realistically met, you will need to work with both the members of your team as well as members of management in order to craft realistic solutions to problems as they come to pass, or before they are fully realized.

Functioning as a problem solver requires being informed of the current progress of any projects, as well as keeping abreast of any barriers your team may be concerned about when it comes to a project’s success.  As a negotiator, you have to work with the business as a whole to keep expectations reasonable, especially if changes are being requested on a project that is already in progress.

Be Authoritative

As an IT leader, it will be your responsibility to make sure project information is accurate when it is gathered, and you will also be the primary voice to stand up against unnecessary scope creep.  You will need to assess any changes in costs, both financial as well as those associated with the anticipated shifts to deadlines, in order to articulate how seemingly simple requests can have large-scale implications.

Looking to Advance Your Career in the IT field?

While taking your first IT management position can seem overwhelming, by focusing on the key areas above, you can begin by presenting your best self.  If you are looking for additional information on working as a leader within your workplace, or would like assistance acquiring your first hire, contact Resolution Technologies today.

 

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Career Guide

How Does Personality Affect Leadership Style?

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personalityblog

There are many different types of personality. Personality affects how people think, feel and act in every situation, especially in the workplace. So does personality type determine your effectiveness as a leader? Is there one best personality type that makes a good leader?

The answer is: it depends on the job. Just like every personality is different, every position is different as well. The required tasks, chain of command, hours and atmosphere affect which personality types are going to be most successful in a position. While personality shouldn’t be a make or break factor in the workplace, it can be useful to take into account if you are applying for a new job, or if you are in charge of hiring for an open position. Knowing your personality type can tell you some of your strengths and weaknesses, and give you areas to focus on to be your most successful self.

You may have heard of some different ways to determine your personality type, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Jung Typology Theory or the Keirsey Temperament Sorter. While these tests contain some differences– and may not be completely accurate– the fundamentals for the different personality types are very similar. Each of these tests determines a four-letter code that relates to four different two-factor categories. These categories can be broken down into Introvert/Extrovert, Intuitive/Sensing, Thinking/Feeling and Judging/Perceiving. Therefore someone with an INFJ personality type would be an Introvert/Intuitive/Feeling/Judging combination.

So what how do these personality types affect leadership style?

Extraverts can be very effective leaders. They are naturally charismatic and can command a room. However, sometimes a big personality doesn’t allow for others to voice different ideas and opinions. In order to be effective, extroverted leaders need to dial down their intensity and make sure there is room for others to give input and feel valued. On the other hand, introverts may struggle being the center of attention and directing others, however they are often good at stepping back to let others shine. This can improve employee morale and lead to loyal and motivated workers.

A person with the sensing personality type relies on past experiences and his or her senses to make decisions. While they often have experiences to back up their decisions, they might miss opportunities by failing to think things through. They tend to be very detail oriented and analytical, but they may miss the bigger picture by focusing only on what is in front of them. On the other hand, intuitive people focus mostly on the meanings and patterns in the information they receive. They tend to think about all the possibilities and theories before making a decision. However, because of this they tend to focus on the future and may have trouble finalizing decisions and seeing what needs to be done in the present.

Someone with a thinking personality tends to be rational and reasonable, making the most logical choice in a decision regardless of personal consequences. This is a beneficial leadership trait in hard decisions, however it might not be the most tactful where other peoples’ feelings are involved. A feeling personality considers how others will feel and react to decisions, but they need to be careful not to act too leniently in certain situations just because they are afraid of hurting feelings.

The leader with a judging personality is most likely very organized and structured. They schedule meticulously and keep order in their work lives. This can be an effective way of getting tasks done with the most efficiency, however their rigid procedures could prevent them from being open to other opportunities. The perceiving personality tends to be more open to new ideas and opinions because they keep a more flexible and open schedule. They act more spontaneously and can implement ideas on the fly. However, they tend to be less organized and employees may struggle with their lack of planning.

Any personality type can be successful in a leadership role. The most important thing to keep in mind is that everyone has some strengths and some weaknesses, and balance is the key to success. Realizing your personality type and the personality type of those you work with will help strengthen work relationships and create new opportunities.

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.

Career Guide

How To Ask Questions in an Interview

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Imagine you’ve just applied for a new job. You’ve sent in your resume and gotten the call about going in for an interview. After preparing for all the questions they could ask you, picking out a professional outfit to wow them and doing your research on the company, you feel ready. But one thing you may have forgotten to consider is thinking of some good questions YOU should ask your interviewer.

Typically, a good interviewer will ask you at the end of the interview if you have any questions about the job. This can be a key part of the interviewing process that is often overlooked. To stand out from other candidates, it is important to have a few thoughtful questions ready. This shows that you really care about the job and have thought critically about the position prior to the interview.

Don’t ask yes or no questions.

You want to create dialogue with the interviewer and establish a conversation. The more thought-provoking your questions are, the better the answers you will receive and the more intriguing you will look to the interviewer. Don’t ask questions just to ask something. If you get to the end of the interview and genuinely can’t think of anything worthy to ask, don’t blunder around with pointless questions. If you get tripped up and ask a silly question by mistake, take a second to recover and then continue with your prepared questions.

Force your interviewer to think.

If you planned a question to ask but it was already answered for you, skip it unless you need more clarification. Specify this by saying “I know you already talked about this, but could you explain a little more about ______?” That way your interviewer knows you were paying attention. You should have already done some research about the job, so if you ask a question you would have known the answer to by looking at the website, you will seem like you didn’t care about the position. A better idea is to ask the interviewer questions such as what they think are some of the keys to being successful in the position, or where they see the company going in the future.

Use this time to your advantage!

Not only will asking questions help you stand out to potential employers, it is a genuine way to get to know the job better and figure out if it is a good fit for you. You’re interviewing them too, and it is important to clear up any questions you may have about the work you will be doing. Sometimes you will learn that a job you wanted isn’t actually be a good fit for you, and it’s better to come to this conclusion sooner rather than later.

Remember, the hard part is over. You’ve already answered all their questions; this is your chance to put your interviewer in the hot seat and get some answers you need. Interviewing is a two-way street, and you want to do your part to make the process as successful as possible.

Preparing for an interview? Make sure to check out our post “How To: Dress for Interview Success” to look your best!

Click here to visit our IT and business job board.

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.

Career Guide

How To Craft Your Elevator Pitch

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Elevator Pitch

Looking for a way to sell yourself and your career experiences? An elevator pitch is the perfect way to showcase your talents to a potential employer. Your pitch isn’t limited to an elevator though; you never know where you may meet a future boss or coworker, even in the most casual of settings. That could be at a conference, on vacation, or in a coffee shop.

When someone asks you what you do, simply answering the question with “I’m a Salesforce Developer” likely won’t lead the conversation anywhere. You should instead use your elevator pitch to guide the conversation, quite possibly leading to new career opportunity.

The elevator pitch consists of three parts:

  1. The Benefit. What’s the reason someone should buy what you’re selling?
  2. The Differentiator. What makes YOU special from everyone else?
  3. The Ask. Is there an opportunity to learn more about this person or this company?

1. The Benefit

This includes the impact of what your product (yourself) can have on this person’s business.

  • “I was able to decrease inventory error at our company by 40 percent through a new initiative.”
  • “Through improvements to our information management system, I was able to increase efficiency and cut costs of $1.4 million.”

2. The Differentiator

This is what makes you different from everyone else. If there’s no differentiator, you’re selling anyone who has your position, not yourself.  There’s no particular reason to invest in YOU.

  • “I have over 15 years of expertise in this field.”
  • “I’m constantly looking for new certifications and courses that will help me perform my job better.”

3. The Ask

Elevator pitches are short, so this isn’t meant to be an interview. Next steps would be setting up a meeting to find out more about this person or the company they work for. Again, this usually happens in a more casual setting as a social conversation, so don’t feel like you need to go for a hard sell strategy.

  • “I’d love to learn more about what you do. What’s your availability next week?”
  • “I really appreciate the conversation we’ve had. What’s the best way to get on your calendar?”

With practice, your elevator pitch can take you great places. Remember, keep it straightforward and simple. There’s no need to over-complicate the situation. Use this as a way to network with like-minded professionals and potential employers if you’re looking for growth in your career.

Once you’re ready to explore new career opportunities, check out our blog post “5 Tips for Beginning Your Job Search” to learn how to get started.

 

Click here to view our IT and business job board.

 

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.

Career Guide

5 Tips for Beginning Your Job Search

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Beginning Job Search

Looking to make a career move? Maybe it’s been a while since you last searched for a job, or you’re looking for a new way to tackle the search for your next opportunity. We believe in equipping you with the best tools to make you successful. In this post, we’ll outline our suggestions and tips for your job search. It’s important to equip yourself with the best knowledge in order to ensure a successful search.

Set goals.

Rather than jumping in and looking for any and every position available in your desired field, you should set specific goals for what jobs you’re looking for. Do you want to take a step up from your current position or look for the same position at a different company? Is there a certain geographic location you’re looking in? By narrowing your search with important details, you’ll make it easier to find a position that’s a perfect fit for you. Setting goals will slim down your search and make good use of your time.

Update your resume.

Before submitting your resume to a potential employer, make sure your resume is up-to-date with your most recent and relevant skills and experience. Upload your most current resume to career sites like Monster, CareerBuilder and Dice so recruiters and companies can find you based on the most accurate information. For more information about perfecting your resume, view our blog post “6 Things You Shouldn’t Put on Your Resume.”

Tune up your LinkedIn.

At the same time you update your resume, you should also check your LinkedIn to make sure you have all of your skills and jobs listed. Much of the job search has gone social, so recruiters and hiring managers are also looking for top talent on LinkedIn. Much like search engine optimization (SEO) for websites, having the right keywords on your profile will ensure that your profile comes up when decision-makers are searching on LinkedIn. We’ve got more tips for your LinkedIn profile here.

Conduct a self-assessment.

Required skills for a job may have changed since you last applied. Especially in an age of ever-changing technology, needs are always changing. Is there any additional training you’ll need for the job you desire?

Another thing that falls under self-assessment is your energy and passion for what you do. You’re likely to get asked during an interview who you are and what you’re about. They may also be wondering why you’re choosing to make a move to their company. Be ready to answer these questions so potential employers can learn more about why you’re a good fit for their company.

Brush up on your interview skills.

It’s not enough to just look great on paper. You may do a great job of selling yourself on your resume or LinkedIn profile, but in order to land the job, you’ve got to nail it in the interview. Example interview questions can be found online from credible sources. You can even find top questions related to your position or industry. Still not comfortable? Find a friend to ask you questions to make sure you’re prepared with the best possible answers.

The Bottom Line

Don’t waste your time by being unprepared. Treat your job search almost as if it were like another job itself. By getting yourself organized and setting proper goals, you’ll be ready to tackle your search effectively.

Once you’re ready for your first face-to-face interview, check out our post “How To: Dress for Interview Success” to learn how to put your best foot forward.

 

Click here to view our IT and business job board.

 

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.