With the current U.S. unemployment rate sitting effectively at just under 4%, job openings throughout the country – spanning the entirety of organizational charts – are abundant.
Whether you are a mid-management professional looking to take the next step on the career ladder, or a junior professional looking to step into mid-management functionality, understanding the best practices around the modern job search in 2018 is a great way to maximize your chance of landing your desired next position.
Optimize Your Resume and Supporting Documents
While it isn’t always easy to know where to start when building out a top-quality resume, you will want to make sure that your resume and supporting documents – cover letter, thank you letter, LinkedIn profile – are consistent and tailored for the position you are going for.
If you’re looking for a mid-management position, showcase the accomplishments and skills that highlight your ability to lead teams and coordinate target achievement.
Work on Your Professional Brand
It’s 2018, and in this age of digital media – where most people have access to publishing tools and social media platforms – it is becoming increasingly important to be seen as a thought-leader in your industry.
Start publishing thoughtful, informative articles on social media designed to provide value to fellow industry professionals. This will raise your public profile, and enhance your standing in your field. If you are able to have your thoughts and writing circulated within industry circles, the name recognition will become very helpful when pursuing mid-management positions.
Leverage Your Network
In addition to enhancing your public profile through professional branding efforts, another great way to establish yourself as a leader in your organization or industry who is ready for mid-management responsibilities is to leverage your network – both professionally and personally.
Utilize tools such as LinkedIn to connect with fellow industry professionals and expand your networking base. Connect with individuals you would like to start conversations with, and even send out connection requests to high visibility individuals to try to strike up conversation. You never know what opportunities in mid-management are out there!