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Challenge your Existing IT Job Search System
As you begin your technical job search, keeping track of various companies and roles within those companies seems easy enough. As time goes on, and you apply for more roles and work with additional IT Recruiters and IT Staffing companies, the list can seem endless! Sooner or later your “system” gets sloppy and starts to break down – and things begin to fall through the cracks. You lose track of where you’ve applied, who you spoke with and what was said, you forget to follow-up with contacts you’ve made, and so on. It’s time to get re-organized, and try to re-invent your system. Use Excel, or Word, or a simple notebook – whatever means is most comfortable for you. Find a system will work best for you and try to go back and re-create and record everything you’ve done to date that was part of your current IT job search. Then as a second part of your resolution, re-dedicate yourself to maintaining your “new” system. Stick with it, and don’t let things slip through the cracks in 2011!

Spend More Time on your Job Search!
Everyone says it – looking for a job is a full-time job in and of itself. It would be easy to say that you should put in a full 8 hours a day, 5 days a week doing it … but that’s a bit much for just about anyone (although don’t let us stop you if you are that motivated!). I would suggest that a minimum goal should be 4-5 hours a day. That’s time spent online, on the phone, speaking with IT recruiters Boston, traveling to and from meetings, and (most valuable of all) actual face time with people who are part of your targeted search plan. Set goals for yourself that you can realistically achieve. For example, research and contact two new IT recruiting companies each day. I’m sure you can think of other similar goals that make sense for yourself. Whatever goals you set, make sure they are measurable and easily achievable, and keep track of each day’s progress for yourself. This will help you stay on task and not waste too much time with useless distractions.

Don’t Let Technology be your Downfall
The internet is one of the best tools for job-seekers. However, it can also be a huge distraction and waste of time. Make sure you are not spending your days in front of a screen without having actual meaningful conversations with people that are part of your job-search plan. Answering online job postings is probably the least effective way to find a job. Limit the amount of time you spend doing that to no more than 15%. Sending emails to targeted people is often a good first step… but at the end of the day, direct live communication with actual people is the only way to get decisions made, and people hired. Overcome your trepidation; stop stressing about rejection, step outside of your comfort zone and pick up the phone!

Join New Networking Groups
There are some really great local Networking Groups (sometimes called “meet ups”) in almost every city and community. They’re easy to find with a simple Google search or meetup.com. Many job-seekers attend regular meetings of those groups, and derive a lot of help, guidance, and advice … and also meet many other job-seekers who can often be very helpful and supportive. After a while, though, attending those same meetings month after month can get repetitive – and you keep seeing the same people over and over. Try seeking out a new local group or two and drop in on their meetings. You just may find a fresh perspective, hear a new idea, or meet new people that you can add to your network. Break out of your comfortable routine!

Revise your Online Presence
You’ve probably labored for hours perfecting your resume and tweaking your online profile on LinkedIn, Monster, Careerbuilder and other job boards and social networking sites. You tend to think of it as a finished work. These avenues were not meant to be stagnant. Sometimes a fresh perspective from a new set of eyes is needed to show you things you’ve missed, or could improve upon. Consider how you might improve or re-vamp your own resume and online profiles. Show it to, and ask for feedback from someone else you trust who knows the art of resume-writing. Always remember to be open to new styles and information, you never know what pique’s the interest of hiring managers or IT Recruiters!