Did you meet your goals in 2016? If your answer—at least in part—is “no” then you’re not alone. Millions of people began 2017 by reflecting on changes they want to make. In many cases, the achievement of these goals will depend on support from trained professionals who will motivate, encourage, and challenge people on their journeys. Likewise, when it comes to your professional goals, seeking the advice of a technical recruiter may be your ticket to finding new opportunities and advancing your career. Below are some questions to ask yourself that will help you decide if it’s time for a “personal trainer” in your tech career.
Am I stepping up to the challenge?
Most people are too intimidated to try using a new machine at the gym without receiving instruction. The same is true for job seekers. More often then not, IT pros will not apply for a new tech job or consulting gig if they don’t meet 100 percent of the qualifications, and this is especially true of women techies. But the fear of being underqualified could lead you to missing out on a great opportunity. That’s where a recruiter comes in. Technical recruiters can help you pinpoint your most versatile skills and craft language to clearly express why those skills will be an asset in a new gig. Because recruiters have a relationship with both you and the clients you are interested in working with, they are able to honestly evaluate whether you may be the right fit for a given opportunity. Your recruiter can also advocate for you with prospective employers about your capacity to learn and contribute to a team.
How Good Is My “Form”?
If you’ve ever worked with a personal trainer at the gym, you know that proper form is essential to meeting your fitness goals and avoiding injury. When it comes to your search for a new IT opportunity, ensuring proper form means having a resume that is well organized, concise and up-to-date, and contains info that makes you stand out from the crowd. Remember, your resume is the first impression you make on a hiring manager. Are you confident that yours is doing its job? If not, enlisting the help of a recruiter may be your best option. From helping you craft a standout technical summary to branding your resume with a professional template and proper formatting, your recruiter will ensure you put your best foot forward when applying for new tech gigs.
Am I Feeling Self-Conscious?
Just as joining a gym means exercising in front of an audience, applying for IT gigs will lead to increased scrutiny of your online profiles. Though buying cool new workout clothes isn’t going to help if you have concerns about the latter, there are some simple strategies you can employ to enhance your web presence. Around a third of all employers and many recruiters use social media to learn more about job candidates and consultants. This means it’s important to consider what information is actually private, and whether or not you are using social media in a way that will benefit your career. A recruiter will confirm that your LinkedIn and other social media pages are leaving a good impression on hiring managers. He or she can also help you become more intentional with your social media platforms, by recommending certain clients, professional development blogs, and other resources that you should be engaging with online.
Do I Have Enough Support?
Whether you enjoy team runs and group fitness or prefer to suffer through your workouts solo, it’s best to maintain a supportive network when it comes to your IT career. Grow your network using technology-specific LinkedIn groups, local networking groups, or join industry-related chats. Attending networking events like ESP IT’s Tech on Tap is also a great way to make new connections and boost your reputation among others working in IT. But sometimes working within your own network won’t yield the connections necessary to help you land a dream job or contract position. When you’ve hit your networking “wall” lean on an IT “personal trainer” for support. Recruiters can draw on the relationships they’ve built with companies and other professionals to help you make important connections.
We can’t always achieve our goals alone. Sometimes we need a trainer telling us that we can, in fact, do 10 more sit-ups and still live another day. Other times, we need a mentor, friend, or IT recruiter to show us that we haven’t exhausted every avenue in our search for the next great tech gig. Some support from an industry pro may be all you need to move from stagnate to successful, and achieve your professional goals in 2017.
Ready for a personal trainer in your tech career?
Contact an ESP IT Recruiter today!
