Whether you are actively searching for a new position or lying in wait to make a career change, you need to prepare for the job search with some key tactical maneuvers. Here are some points to ponder if you want to make yourself competitive in the job marketplace.

Network, network, network! Even if you are not actively searching you should be constantly building your network of contacts. Whether it’s attending conferences, trade shows, or social events, strive to create opportunities to meet new people, cultivate existing relationships, and have memorable conversations with people.

Adopting a networking outlook on life not only advances your career, it leads to life-long relationships that will give more meaning to both your work and personal life.

Keep these ABC’s of networking in mind: Always Be Communicating! Whether it’s talking, emailing, phoning, or using social media, take the time to initiate and sustain a line of communication with your contacts.

In recruiting land, LinkedIn is still King! Use it to tell your story in a clear and compelling way. Ensure you have the basics of LinkedIn down, including a complete profile, a professional picture, and an up-to-date resume that includes contact information, your location, and important keywords.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of including accurate key words in all of your LinkedIn sections. Whether its robots in an Applicant Tracking System or human eyes reviewing your resume, you need to make sure your profile is optimized for searching.

Think like a recruiter who is basically a detective searching through all types of systems for the right candidate. So, bolster your profile with more clues in the form of keywords that will help recruiters discover you. These clues should target your job title, skills, career expectations, experience and personality. Then look for synonyms related to your main keywords and include those in various sections of your profile.

Finally, go the extra mile to put more time and energy into the variety of LinkedIn features that will give you more exposure. These include asking for endorsements, writing endorsements for others in your network, joining discussions in industry groups, and posting comments or articles.

Do you want to learn more about networking, maintaining an effective online presence and other job seeker tips?  Access our candidate resources by filling out the form on the page located below: