Get the job you want in 2009

New Year strategies for the job-seeker to overcome the economy and find a new job.

Some of the most popular New Year's resolutions are losing weight, paying off debt, saving money, and getting a better job. With the economic uncertainty that plagued 2008, many people might not think that finding new employment should be a priority in 2009. However, no matter the market conditions, there are always companies looking to hire talented professionals, and those people who are prepared will be in the best position to take advantage of new career opportunities as they are uncovered. Here are some tips for finding the employment you want in the New Year:

1. Be ready to move. Like with all of life's opportunities, you have to be ready to strike when the iron is hot – and sometimes even when it's heating up. No matter if your plan includes pounding the pavement for a new job or sitting back and waiting for an endeavor to come your way, make sure you have all the foundation pieces in place for a successful job search. Update your resume, prepare a compelling story to tell about why you would consider a new opportunity, and know who you would use for references. Start becoming mentally and emotionally ready for a change so you are better prepared when it happens.

2. Don't bury your head in the sand. In soft economies, many people think it's safer to stay with their current employer than to risk taking a job with a new company – and often it is. But don't bury your head in the sand and hope that everything will be okay. Even in the best of times, companies routinely are merged, acquired, imploded, and overtaken, sometimes leaving hundreds and thousands of people looking for new jobs. Be prudent and always be aware of your business' conditions; keep your nose in the wind and your eyes and ears open for when it is the best time to move on.

3. Know yourself. As people age and lives and goals change, so do our career objectives. Spend the time necessary knowing what really makes you happy. Is it being an authority at work? Having a schedule flexible enough to see your kids play soccer on a midweek afternoon? Knowing the drug you are researching will someday eradicate a life-threatening disease? Have a heart-to-heart with yourself about what you want from your career and what steps would be necessary to achieve this goal. Have realistic expectations, but know that most career dreams are within our reach.

4. Step out of your comfort zone. As human beings, we don't like to admit that we don't have all the answers and it's uncomfortable for most people to ask for help, especially from those outside their inner circle. Asking for assistance and advice is the heart of networking, and the single most important thing a person looking for a new job should do. Your next opportunity could come via a tip or chance encounter with a former boss, colleague, neighbor, recruiter, barber, or golf buddy, but you will never hear about it if they don't know you are looking (even passively). You need to be courageous enough to talk to people you meet about what you ultimately want, instead of regretting that you didn't mention it sooner.

5. Devote time to job searching. Succeeding at anything takes practice and hard work. Tiger Woods didn't become the world's best golfer through skill alone. He spends the greater part of each day practicing, conditioning and trying to improve his game. If you are trying to further your career, you need to devote the energy needed to make that change, and that takes time. Find a way to carve out the hours necessary, whether it's giving up an hour of gym time on Tuesday nights to attend networking meetings, or getting up early on Sunday mornings to search for leads and contacts online, establish some goals and set aside the time it will take to accomplish them.

6. Focus your resume. Most resumes are very vanilla – an overview, titles, tasks, accomplishments, and education. But companies want to see the sizzle AND the steak. They want to see progression in experience, skills, and responsibility and how you have contributed directly to your employer's, or former employer's, success. Make sure your document includes enough substance to explain the strategies and tactics you were responsible for, but also the intangibles where you made a difference. It doesn't have to be overly long or detailed, but back up any success claims with real facts and examples.

7. Join in. There isn't a profession or industry on earth that doesn't have a trade association, user group, online discussion board, or fan club. Find one relevant to you and join it. Whether you are currently employed or not, opportunities flow from being around like-minded people and professional associations and communities are where you need to be. They are a great way for uncovering hidden jobs, to further your knowledge and to make new relationships. Investigate which ones are appropriate for you, and join in.

8. Sell yourself. Unless you are a pompous, arrogant bore, you are probably not used to – and uncomfortable with – talking immodestly about yourself, your attributes, and shining moments. Get over it! Advancing in your career or finding a new job requires you to balance humility with bravado. Your resume or a relationship may open a door, but you have to be prepared to march through it with a lot of confidence and a bit of swagger. Find a way to get over any discomfort when talking about yourself and how wonderful you are. The best job candidate is one who truly believes he or she has something unique to offer and can articulate their message with words, body language, and confidence. A hiring manager wants to fall in love with you. Give them a reason to.

9. Narrow your thinking. Don't try to be all things to all people, especially when looking for a job. You are not going to be good at everything you do, so don't fool yourself into thinking you are. Figure out what you want to do and where you want to do it – and narrow your search to opportunities that fit into your realm. Don't have interviews or networking meetings where you hope the other person can help you figure out what you want to do. The responsibility is yours; be targeted and specific about the jobs you want, skills you have, and the companies you want to work for.

10. Get off your duff. Self assessment is important but can be paralyzing. Take the time necessary to be introspective and then craft your plan, but don't let those activities stall you from taking action. Talk is cheap – get out there and take the steps to change or improve your career. Being proactive in your career will open up opportunities you never dreamed of, and will start 2009 off right.

Dave Sanford is Executive Vice President, Client Services of the Winter, Wyman Companies, a leading staffing firm based in Waltham, Mass.