Looking for a Job This Fall? NOW is the Time to Prepare. Here's How.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

As the days start to shorten and the leaves begin to turn, many organizations lumber out of a summer lull to kick recruitment activity into high gear. This timing is great for many professionals looking to level up or secure a fresh start after some much-deserved summer downtime.

Yet as a job search strategist and executive resume writer, I am still surprised by the number of people who are unprepared for the amp up in hiring activity. Many job seekers come rushing to me for help with resume writing or job search support in September when things are already in full swing, potentially missing out on great opportunities.

John Wooden famously said,

“When opportunity comes it’s too late to prepare.”

You need to be ready, well in advance. Here are some proactive activities to get yourself equipped for career prospects this season.

First, prepare. Tasks to focus on should include:

1. Nail down your job target.

Know the job you want before you start looking and applying for positions. Setting your sights on a direct job target will prevent you from spinning your wheels or wasting precious time and energy chasing disjointed opportunities that might not be a good match for your skills or long-term career goals.

2. Know what sets you apart.

You can’t sell something if you don’t know fully understand its value. If you want employers to invest in you, be prepared to answer the question:

“Why should we hire you over another candidate?”

Identify notable career achievements that support your value and practice speaking about yourself in a positive way that delivers succinct value. Know Your Value!

3. Cultivate a job search strategy that involves more than online job trolling.

It’s no big secret that applying for jobs online yields a very low return on investment. A recent JobVite study indicates that online job applications generate a paltry 0.4% success rate. So job seekers, please, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Diversify your job search strategy and include higher-return activities such as networking, internal referrals and the hidden job market.

4. Polish up your career tools — all of them.

Update all career documents, not just your resume. Today’s modern job seeker needs a complete application package which might include: a comprehensive cover letter (yes, some employers still read them), a tailored resume, a references list, a robust LinkedIn profile, a thank-you letter and possibly even an executive biography. Research job requirements and understand employer’s buying motivators to keep career tools appropriately tailored for your select audience.

Finally, do you understand ATS impacts resume selection? If not, you need to!

5. Brush up interview skills.

You might think this is putting the cart before the horse. Don’t you need to start applying to jobs before preparing for an interview? Nope. Again, make time for this task before the dream job calls you in! If you haven’t interviewed in a while, you’ll need ample time to analyze current interview trends and create value-based interview answers.

 6. Beef up your online presence.

If you haven’t inventoried your online presence for some time, do it before employers start researching you — and they will. Ensure your online content is on-brand and highly professional. Lock down personal social media accounts and focus on positioning your professional profiles (such as LinkedIn) to attract recruiters. Populate your LinkedIn account with the right keywords and ensure your value offering is clear.

7. Iron out employment barriers.

Got an employment gap? Missing skill sets? What other challenges are you likely to face in your job search journey and how prepared are you to deal with them? Trust me, these will come up. Preparing in advance to address tough questions about your work history, abilities or career intentions will eliminate sudden stress and keep conversations focused on positive attributes and offerings.

Next, put yourself out there. 

Let people know you are looking, and what for. People are unable to help if they don’t know what you need. To assist, start connecting and networking, both online and off. Reach out to family members, friends and trusted colleagues. But don’t just ask for a job — ask for information, leads or opportunities. Pose inquisitive questions to secure insights into potential openings and company cultures, and aim to build lasting relationships.

Finally, seek assistance if you need it

You don't need to tackle a job search journey all on your own; but be ready to invest in the task. Engage a career professional if you need support with any of the above activities, and keep in mind that, as they say, looking for a job can be a full-time job.

You can’t casually commit to a job search and expect instant success. A job search takes effort and energy on many different levels.

Prepare for peak recruiting periods in advance because opportunities come, but seldom do they linger. Jobs are constantly being posted and, just as quickly, filled. Application times may be short and rushing to get materials and strategies in place runs the risk of sloppy presentation or missed deadlines. This fall, if your dream job makes an appearance, be ready to pounce! Don’t wait for the right opportunity to pop up before taking action.

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Adrienne Tom is a multi-certified, award-winning Executive Resume Writer, Employment Strategist, and Interview Coach at Career Impressions. She packages executives and astute business leaders for high-level employment and career success!

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