Spring Clean Your Job Search in 10 Steps

Spring Clean Your Job Search in 10 StepsSpring Clean Your Job Search in 10 Steps11The weather is warmer, and the daisies and daffodils are starting to bloom. Theres no doubt about it- spring has definitely sprung. But if spring has you thinking about cleaning your home, take it one step further, job seeker, and spring clean your job search.Here are 10 simple steps to get you started1. Tidy up your techniques.If youve beenjob searchingfor some time, theres a good chance that youve developed some good habits- and some bad ones, too. In buchung to have a successful job search, though, youll need to evaluate exactly how youve been job searching. Maybe you dont respond immediately to hiring managers who are interested in scheduling a job interview. So take time to go over your job search habits and figure out which ones are working for you, and attempt to correct the ones that arent.2. Revamp your resume.If you thought that having the same resume style since 2010 was a good thing, think a gain. Resume styles change far more frequently than you might realize. Look online to see what some of the current styles are for resumes and cover letters, and adapt yours to stay current. Otherwise, youll date your resume- and yourself- in the process.3. Start getting social again.Theres something about winter that just makes you want to hunker down and sit in front of the TV. But springtime has the opposite effect youll naturally want to connect with friends and family more- and you should apply that friendly feeling to your job search, too. Start by breathing new life into yoursocial mediachannels- delete any posts or pictures that could be misinterpreted by a hiring manager doing his due diligence on you online, and make aya that your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and any other social media profile are professional and polished.4. Hone in on your home office.Yes, spring cleaning can be a lot of fun. After all, who doesnt like clearing the clutter and lettin g their space breathe? This principle definitely applies to your home office, too. Take the time to toss any papers that arent necessary, and rid your space of all that extra clutter that has found its way to your home office. You can take it one step further by freshening the space with fresh paint and flowers or a plant. If you want to ditch your desk, you can invest in new furniture, or simply rearrange your current ones. Having a new view can literally translate to a new view towards your job search.5. Attend to your attire.Lets face it when you are job searching, youre most likely spending it in your comfiest (but not prettiest) of clothes. So when a potential employer calls you in for an interview, you might panic. Thats why its important to make sure that you have an awesome job interview suit, or two in classic styles. Make the investment because it will last longer as opposed to something that is super trendy.6. Connect with companies.Youve had your eye on a few companies t hat you would love to work for. Thing is, theyre not posting any job listings that you qualify for. That shouldnt hold you back from reaching out, though. While you should definitely useniche job search boards that focus on flexible workwhen youre looking for a job with flex in it, you should still consider establishing contact with those companies, too as part of your job search. While there might not be any available positions in your field yet, your job application will be on the top of the pile when the position does become available.7. Pursue your passion.If youve been job hunting for months with no success, there might be a reason why. Maybe you subconsciously dont want the position youre after. Instead of continuing on in your search, take some time to really think about what youd like to do. Dont think about salary or what your spouse will think of it. Just clear your mind and think about what will make you happy. Then, try to find a job that incorporates all or some of thos e key factors of your dream job. It might require you to make a job change or even go back to school for advanced education or certifications. But in the end, it will all be worth it to find a position that fulfills you, both financially and emotionally.8. Try to track.Youre a diligent job seeker, applying for multiple positions on a daily basis. So its understandable when a hiring manager contacts you for a job interview- and you cant remember for the life of you the position that hes referring to. Even though its going to take a little more time out of your job search day, try to track each of the positions that you apply for. That way, when a potential boss contacts you, youll know the exact job he wants to interview you for.9. Know how to network.Networking can be uncomfortable, grueling, and a bore. We get it. But theres no denying the power that networking can have on your job search. So even if you hate it, try to incorporate it into your job search. You might only go to one event a month, or even attend a meeting online. But doing so can greatly improve your chances of getting hired sooner rather than later.10. Be kind to yourself.Job searching can be trying for the soul. You feel like everyone else in the world is employed- except for you. While you know thats not true, looking for a job can be a huge hit to your self-esteem. So take some time for yourself during your job search to pamper yourself a little. It might mean getting a sweet treat after a long day of crafting new cover letters, or an extra long run in the evenings to blow off some much-needed steam. Just remember to be kind to yourself so that you keep your health- and your spirits- up. Know that your job search is simply a moment in time and will not last forever. Eventually, youll have a firm job offer in hand and youll be grateful that you took the time to search for a job that will be great for your career and your life.Springtime is the perfect time to spring clean your job search. So use some of these tips in your job search and youll see a noticeable difference in your searchReaders, how are you planning to spring clean your job search? Let us know in the commentsJennifer Parris contributed to this post.