Top Ten New Year's Resolutions

Here are the top ten according to Albrecht Powell, About.com

1. Spend more time with family and friends
2. Fit in fitness
3. Tame the bulge
4. Quit smoking
5. Enjoy life more
6. Quit drinking
7. Get out of debt
8. Learn something new
9. Help others
10. Get organized

I hope everyone is off to a good start with their New Year's Resolutions. Remember to approach each goal one day at a time. It's all about baby steps, while keeping the end goal locked in your sights.

I'm sure there are a few of us out there that are looking for a new job/career as part of their New Year's Resolutions. To all those people I would like to offer a few words of wisdom:

1. Take a close look at your resume
Do not under estimate what a well written resume can do for you. Your resume is your chance to make a great first impression. Make sure you spend some serious time making your resume as good as it can be. Please refer to the post on November 19th for tips on how to write a quality resume.

2. Make a few trusted recruiters your best friend
This is especially valuable if you are passively looking and do not want your current employer to get wind of your wandering eyes. A good recruiter can get your information out to potential hiring managers in a discreet and effective way.

Also, recruiters are usually only good for presenting opportunities for companies they are actively searching for. I would suggest you take this one step further and find out if your recruiter has contacts in companies you have hunted down yourself. Submitting a resume to HR can be less than effective and your resume may or may not be seen by the correct hiring manager. Let your recruiter use their network to get your resume directly in front of the decision maker.

3. Over prepare for your interview
Hiring managers always love when a candidate has done their homework. Being prepared aids you in your ability to articulate your value add and should be an overall confidence booster. For more tips on interviewing please refer the post on November 19th.

I wish everyone the best of luck this 2009!