RENEW AND REFRESH YOUR CAREER

by Felicia Brown, AARP

The new year is always a great time to reflect, refocus, and recalibrate around what you want to do or where you want to go in your career. It’s no question that the job market has changed. I remember the days when you would look at your local newspaper, apply for a job, get a call for an interview or a “no thank you” letter. Needless to say, those days are gone. Searching for a job and charting your career in today’s competitive market can be difficult, so it’s important to stay ahead of the game. Whether you are just starting out or have been on your journey for a while, here are a few tips and strategies you can consider.

Update or Improve Your Professional Brand

Your professional brand is who you are, not what you do. Oftentimes we think it’s our position at work, but in fact it’s the unique skills we build over time that allow us to stand out from others. Your professional brand is something that you build over time through various employment, and for some, volunteer experiences. For employers, it means ensuring customers know what they offer and how they are different from the competition. For employees, building their reputation as an authority and a credible subject-matter expert in an industry is important. If you want to be known as an industry expert, increase your knowledge and expertise so your brand stands out.

Leverage the Power of Social Media

If you are looking to start or elevate your career, using social media is a great option if you use it effectively. LinkedIn is a smart way to elevate your professional brand by listing your skills, certifications, and accomplishments. Employers use this platform to post jobs as well as search for candidates. Other platforms like TikTok and Instagram can be useful in sharing informational or creative videos to showcase your expertise. While social media is a good way to build your brand, try to keep your personal and professional footprints separate. Social media platforms are connected, so if someone searches your name, unless you are using an alias, they can find you, so be careful what you post.

Lean Into Your Network

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More and more people report that they found their job through someone they know. Networking is an increasingly common way to find employment. Think about who’s in your network: friends, alumni, former co-workers and managers, people you’ve volunteered with—let them know about your pursuits. These relationships are important, so tap into them when needed. It could help you go from getting invited for the interview to getting that offer letter.

Continuous Learning and Upskilling

Staying competitive is important in a tight job market. Updating or developing in-demand skills is important for navigation and advancement in the workplace.

Taking advantage of online courses, acquiring certifications, and attending conferences are all important for enhancing your skills and can give you a competitive edge and a leg up. You can find free courses on sites like the AARP Skills Builder for Work. However, if you must pay, consider it an investment. See if your employer offers tuition reimbursement or a career development program.

Create Targeted Résumé and Cover Letter

Gone are the days of having one résumé and a generic cover letter to apply for jobs, even if it’s in the same industry. The new rule of thumb is to tweak or customize each document with relevant key terms for the specific job you are applying for. This will show how your skills and experiences clearly align to the position. There are tools available to help you develop or review your résumé, one tool in particular, AARP Résumé Advisor (free for AARP members), which can help you show off your best self. A good practice is to add courses, certifications, and accomplishments to your résumé and ensure it stays updated.

Brush Up on Your Interview Skills

Now that you’ve been invited for an interview, it’s time to prepare. If you know someone inside the company, ask them to help you. Inquire about the kinds of questions you might be asked. Many employers now use the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) model to express your goals in the interview, which requires detailed examples of your work. These interviews really require preparation. This model allows the panel to gain insights into how well you work with people, individually and in teams, how you manage challenges and difficult people, and how you’ve managed and executed various aspects of your jobs. Yes, it can be stressful but remember, breathe, practice, and you’ll get through it. These are just a few tips to help you get ready and stay ready for what’s next. Looking for a job can be challenging, but AARP is here to help ease the stress and equip you with the tools for success. To empower you along your career journey, be sure to check out AARP’s job tools at www.aarp.org/work