Launching your job search this year, HNY!

Written By Brenna Reagan
 

Early January comes with warm fuzzy feelings about the year ahead. I know a lot of subscribers have "get a new job" on their resolution list. I'm here to help. This newsletter focuses on a handful of actionable things you can do to showcase your talents and skills throughout the hiring process. 

Since starting NRG Consulting Group, I have worked with hundreds of organizations. Here’s a list of some of them. Working with these clients behind the scenes has given me useful insights into how these organizations make decisions. I share those insights in this newsletter.

My number one tip: focus on what is in your control during your job search. Whether you get hired or not at your dream organization isn’t really in your control. How you present yourself during the hiring process is in your hands. That’s where my tips in this newsletter can help.

 
 
 
 

4 steps to include in your job search strategy:

#1 UPDATE YOUR RESUME

Take the time to review your resume. I know you probably added your most recent job, but did you look at your resume from the perspective of a hiring manager? 

Here’s a few guiding questions to help:

  • Are the organizations, dates, and job titles clear? 

  • Can someone who isn’t in the same field read your resume and understand it? Dive in deeper to this question here. 

  • Is the font big enough that someone can read it?

  • Is it 2 pages or less? 

  • Do you have gaps on your resume and do you have a plan to address them? (If you aren’t sure about your answer to this one–this is a great question for the Ask the Coach session on 1/14; it’s free)

  • Have you demonstrated that you have experience doing the job that you are applying for? If not, are you adequately highlighting your transferable skills?

  • Have you shown that you have the leadership qualities, like resilience, adaptability, and the ability to navigate uncertainty, that the organization is looking for?

If you want to dive in deeper to these questions and more, we have an event for you next week: 

 
 
 
 

#2 PRIORITIZE NETWORKING

If you have been reading this newsletter for a while, you saw this one coming. Dive deeper here, here, and here.

You can join all of the cool slack channels and subscribe to every job opening email list you can find. That doesn’t mean you will find the job you really want. 

You find opportunities by meeting people and learning about the organizational culture of orgs doing good work where you think you want to work. I have seen many people fall in love with an org from a distance only to find out that the culture and the salary structure are not a match. Networking with people not only gets your name out there but it also will make you aware of opportunities that might have been in your blind spot.

We also created a free tool to make networking a little easier–we included draft email templates, a tracker, and how-to resources so you can focus on making connections. 

If you need a little extra nudge in this area, check out this event:

 
 
 
 

#3 DON'T SEARCH IN ISOLATION

Looking for a job takes a lot of time and energy. Going through a hiring process for any one job can feel like a part-time job. This is not something you need to muscle through on your own. Find others who can help you to feel grounded and sane. 

You might have other friends already in your network who are also looking. Or, maybe you already have a career coach. 

I know that career coaching isn’t always in the budget. You can dive deeper into DIY Career Coaching here. 

If you do have some money to throw at this, we are launching a pilot program where we not only connect you to others who are also looking for their next role, but we hold informative small group sessions that will set you up for success in 2025.

 
 
 
 

Starts January 30 

Investment: $600 

 
 

#4 ASK FOR HELP

We sometimes need to adjust our approach to our job search. Every time I ask for others’ opinions and insights about a project I am working on, I learn something. We don’t individually have all of the answers, so I am hoping that 2025 will be a year of allies coming together and relying on one another. That means asking for help when we need it. 

We are hosting an Ask the NRG Career Coach session next week. It’s free. Submit your questions in advance and my colleague, Kristin Saybe, will answer them.

This session will be geared toward people who have recently started their job search. If you have been on the search for longer than a couple of months, you are still welcome! However, we will prioritize “new to the search” questions.

 
 
 
 
“I had a session with Kristin that was one of the most productive consultations ever. I’ve since revised my resume, LinkedIn profile and approach to cover letters that better represents me and my potential. I will be connecting with Kristin again for more feedback.”
— JG, Coaching Client
 
 

I’ll keep sharing insights with you through this newsletter and I hope that you will keep me updated on your job search. Let me know what’s helpful from these emails and if you have other topics you want me to address in future Get Hired newsletters this year. 

 
 
 
 
 

This is not all! We are hiring for additional jobs and you can see all of our openings on the NRG website.

 
 

If you aren’t currently a member of the NRG Talent Network, consider joining. The questions take 3 minutes to complete and then we’ll send you job announcements when your criteria (salary, location, etc.) matches the position.

 
 

Let’s move,
Naomi


P.S.  If you’d like a thought partner to think through the best strategy for your search, sign up right now for 15 minutes with Kristin to learn how NRG’s coaching programs can help you. 

If you find this newsletter helpful, forward it to your friends and help us build our network! If you received this from a friend, sign up here to receive future “Get Hired'' newsletters. 

 
Brenna Reagan
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