Five Steps to Rev Up Your Job Search

The job market is expected to keep improving in 2016 thanks to strong growth across many sectors, including health care, technology, manufacturing and construction. But this does not mean a new job will fall at your feet. So if one of your 2016 resolutions involves your career, consider these five job-search tips from global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

The firm's annual report finds that 2016 will have high levels of workplace churn, meaning increased hiring amid ongoing layoffs.

For those entering the job market for the first time, those reentering the market, as well as for those in-between jobs or seeking to change jobs, Challenger offered the following steps to improve your chances for job search success in the new year.

Get involved with community service group: This is a great way to build your network as well as hone your professional skills. 

Join a professional/trade association: These organizations can provide training and education opportunities, and most hold several networking functions every year. The dues are worth their weight in gold if you meet a person who can help you find a new job.

Have lunch with at least one new contact each week: Obviously, networking is an essential part of finding a job.  But blindly adding new people to your LinkedIn contacts list, where they will likely just collect dust, is entirely ineffective. It is vital to meet with people on a regular basis. Lunch or even over coffee is an ideal setting, because it is more relaxed. Building these relationships may help you in your current position and they will definitely help when you enter the job market.

Rev up your skills: Employers want to know that you are up on the latest skills and trends. While some employers will foot the bill for continue education, the number who do so is shrinking. And, if you are between jobs, no one but yourself can ensure that your skills are up-to-date. Explore online courses and local certificate programs to broaden your industry knowledge, increasing your marketability to a variety of employers.

Look beyond your industry: Just because you have been working in the same industry for a certain number of years, does not mean that you must stay in that industry. Your fundamental job function is the  skill set you are selling to employers, not your knowledge of a specific industry. Your skills as an IT professional in the financial industry are certainly transferable to the health care industry, for example. Job seekers can greatly expand their chances of success by expanding the number of industries where they seek opportunities.