Pre-heating the Job Hunt, and Buttering Your Future

By Martina Brehmer

Picture this: a warm chocolate chip cookie ready to be eaten. Now think about the work involved to make that cookie from scratch. It took work, but it was well worth it.You don’t always need a reason to bake, but making a leap in your career deserves some consideration. Then again, much like the way that you might dream of cupcakes, baklava or homemade chocolate chip cookies, you should allow yourself to salivate over your future a bit more often.

Most of us are working our behinds off at our current jobs, and  it’s hard to find time to brainstorm about new career opportunities and adventures. But believe it or not, the best time to ponder what dessert you’ll want next is when you’re feeling satiated. Take it from someone who has made the mistake of ravenously gone digging through the cabinets for that last bit of dated chocolate. It might suffice for now, but doesn’t taste all that great.

Needless to say, the hunt for the dream job requires more patience, acceptance and dedication than baking cookies, but I promise you that if you preheat the oven you’re much more likely to produce the perfect cookie.

How to Heat Things Up

Whether you’re fulfilled by the road you’re on, or actively chasing what’s around the corner, here are some tips for starting the fire.

1. Keep an eye trained on new companies, fresh products and emerging markets through outlets like Wired, Mashable, TechCrunch, Product Hunt, and Angel List. Strapped for time? Embrace the comeback of the podcast and listen while you commute, sweat, chow down or bathe.
2. Google yourself. Make sure that you’re properly represented online, and building out your own brand equity. This no longer applies solely to outward facing roles, and I’m seeing this statement more and more: “no social footprint, no hire”. 
3. Maintain an updated resume. You don’t want to keep opportunity waiting! This goes for your LinkedIn presence too. Additionally, writing about yourself can feel awkward, but writing about your achievements while they are fresh is much easier.
4. Unleash your inner creeper. While late-night facebook prowling might be frowned upon, doing the appropriate human research while on the job hunt is essential. LinkedIn is a great study tool — not only will you benefit from researching the role and company that you’re interested in, but LinkedIn provides a direct line to hiring managers and members of the team you want to bat for.

Pursuing your next adventure can be just as exciting as an adventure should be, and it can be as smooth as crème brulée done right. Luckily, the way that this cookie crumbles is completely up to us.

This is a 3 part series focused on the job hunt. Keep an eye out for part 2 and 3 of this series, coming soon!