To succeed in the fiercely competitive job market, you need to be prepared. But preparing for your search is more than just typing up a resume. In today’s digital world, prepping for a job search also means making sure that your social profiles are in order and that you understand what your goals are. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your search:

Know What You Want

Before you can start searching for a job, you need to know what type of position and work environment you want. This may seem like an obvious step, but it’s something that many job seekers overlook.

What was it about your previous job that you didn’t like? Are you more concerned with higher pay or better benefits? Are you looking for a position that comes with its own office?

Sit down and create a list of the things you want or need. You can then weed out any job postings that don’t meet your criteria.

Get the Basics in Order

Now that you know what you want, you can get the basics in order. The basics include your resume, cover letters, contact information and references.

To stand out in the crowd, you’ll need to tweak and update your resume to stand out and suit employer, but having a good resume to work off of is crucial. Cover letters are just as important (if not more important), but these need to be specific to the position you’re applying for.

Make sure that all of your job search communication includes your phone number and email address, so potential employers can easily reach you.

It’s also a good idea to plan ahead by compiling a list of references and gathering some letters of recommendations. It’s important to have this information on hand for when a potential employer asks for them.

Start Networking

Networking is an important part of the job search process, and you can start making connections while you’re preparing for your search. Making new contacts and connections can help you get your foot in the door faster.

Scout out local networking events, and try to connect with others in your industry on social sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Clean Up and Complete Your Social Profiles

Today, employers “Google” applicants in addition to the usual background check. What will prospective employers see when they search for your name? If you aren’t happy with the results, it may be time to clean up your social profiles.

Make sure that your Facebook profile photo is professional. Make any photos and posts you wouldn’t want your boss seeing private. Hop on your Twitter account, review your tweets and remove any offending messages. Make sure that both your Facebook and Twitter accounts present you in a professional way.

If you haven’t done so already, sign up for a LinkedIn account or complete your profile. LinkedIn is, more or less, a digital version of your resume complete with a list of your skills and accomplishments. It’s also a great place to network and make new connections with other like-minded individuals in your industry, so take full advantage of its tools and resources. Contact us today for more info.