How to Create a 2017 Job Search Roadmap

How to Create a 2017 Job Search Roadmap So you’ve set your career goals for 2017. (You totally have, right? If not, you still have time!) Yet unless you have some organization and a realistic timeline behind them, it’s likely that you’ll be in the same spot this time next year, wondering where the time went. Start the year with a roadmap like the sample one below, and you’ll be able to stay on track without overwhelming yourself with all job search elements at once.December: Start with a wish listWhere do you want to be in a year? What kind of role would you like to have? Before the new year even starts, take some time to think about what it is you really want to do. â€Å"A new job† doesn’t really cut it here- think about which job. Or if you want to keep the same kind of job you have now (or the one you had last), include specific companies you’d like to target.January-February: Do your due diligenceIf you haven’t already, dig in and research your target jobs or com panies. What is the general market for your industry and skill/experience level? Is there a particular hiring season? What kind of salaries are available in that field? Keep all of this information in a file (digital or old-school print) so you can go back to it later, or add to it as you come across new information.March-April: Resume makeover timeIf it’s been a while since you last overhauled the doc, it’s best to start from scratch. There are resume templates available online, or you can create your own. The important thing here is to make sure your current skills and achievements are not only listed, but maximized. Use strong action verbs, and avoid passive bullet points about â€Å"responsibilities.† And most importantly, proofread the heck out of it every time you add or change information.By the end of the month, when you feel like you’ve got a final draft, hand it over to a trusted friend to read and review for information that’s missing, c onfusing, etc.May-June: Interview rehearsalRemember that old joke that asks you how to get to Carnegie Hall? (Practice, of course.) It’s schticky, but it applies here as well. No matter how confident you feel in your ability to rock an interview, you should still set aside time to prep. You can start here, to get a refresher course on what to expect on interview day. Once you’ve done that legwork, practice how you’d respond to particular questions, and how you would frame the information in your resume.Practice in the mirror, practice with your goldfish, practice with a friend or family member until they’re sick of hearing about your problem solving skills. Practice your body language. Practice your winning interview smile like you’re prepping for the Miss America pageant.July-August: Skill buildingAre there skills required by your target job or skills that would make you an even better candidate for your dream company? Think of this as the equival ent of summer reading from when you were a kid. If there are classes available and it’s possible for you to take them, sign up! If there aren’t any available or they just don’t work for your schedule or budget, set aside a certain amount of time per week to do online research or talk with people who have expertise.September-October: ApplyOnce you feel like your foundations are good, start applying for job openings. Keep in mind that a lot of hiring takes place through personal recommendations and word of mouth, so also keep an eagle eye on your networks to see if anyone can help you get an in with one of your target companies.November-December: Keep up the huntKeep applying for openings as you see them, and don’t hesitate to go back to steps you completed earlier in the year if you feel the need. Always be vigilant for chances to boost your skills. Make sure your resume up-to-the-minute. Practice your suave, hire-me handshake. And don’t forget that so much of the job search is waiting for the right opportunity, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see results right away.This yearlong roadmap is just a guide- if a different schedule works best for you, run with it! It might be that while you’re in the midst of interview bootcamp, your dream job opens up. So definitely keep an eye on opportunities throughout the year, and adjust your plan as necessary. The important part is that you’re setting a plan, and getting yourself in shape for the 2017 new-job marathon.

Marooned Ice Breaker Party Game for Adults

Marooned Ice Breaker Party Game for Adults If you were marooned on a deserted island, who would you want with you? This ice breaker is a great game to play when people don’t know each other, and it fosters team building in groups that already work together. I have always found peoples choices to be very revealing about who they are. Ideal Size Up to 30. Divide larger groups. Use for Introductions in the classroom or at a meeting, and as a team building exercise. Time Needed 30 minutes, depending on the size of the group. Materials Needed None. Instructions Give people a minute or two to think about this question: If you were marooned on a deserted island, which three people would you want with you? They can be dead, alive, or imaginary. Ask participants to introduce themselves and share their choices with the group. Start with yourself so they have an example. Example Hi, my name is Deb. If I were marooned on a deserted island, I would want Tim with me because he’s smart, strong, and fun, and I love him. He would know how to make a shelter and find food, and we’d have wonderful conversations. My second choice would be someone who tells great stories, like Garrison Keillor or Eoin Colfer. And my third would be Solomon Burke, the blues singer, so we’d have soulful music. Debriefing Debrief by asking if there were any surprises in the group and if anybody has a question for another participant. You will have listened carefully to the introductions. If somebody has chosen a person related in any way to your topic, use that person as a transition to your first lecture or activity.