The New Year has got most people thinking about their personal and professional goals. It’s common for career goals to be at the top of someone’s New Year’s resolution list. If you want to feel happy and fulfilled in all aspects of your life in 2014, then it’s essential that you feel happy and fulfilled at work. Hiring is predicted to be strong in certain sectors in 2014, so it’s the perfect time to give yourself a career makeover! Today’s employers are changing the way they do business to adjust to the new economy. They’re looking for employees with different skill sets in order to maximize their efficiency and productivity. In 2014, you’ll need to update your professional skills and your resume if you want to impress hiring managers and stand out in a crowded job market.   Here are four tips for reinventing yourself and your career in 2014:  

1. Know Who’s Hiring – If you’re contemplating a career change, you need to know which industries are hiring, so you’re not wasting your efforts. Certain industries are predicted to experience rapid employment growth this coming decade, like the healthcare and information technology sectors, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Figure out which industries and companies are hiring in your area, then determine which ones you would enjoy working in.
2. Update Your Skills – Are you missing a key skill or certification?  Now is the time to go back to school so you have all the right boxes checked when you begin applying for jobs. Employers love when candidates show they’re continuously learning and dedicated to their professional development! But putting life on hold to go back to school isn’t a realistic option for many people. Porter and Chester Institute makes it easy for students to get the training they need to get serious about their careers, with evening classes and flexible schedules.
3. Update Your Resume – Once you’ve completed your new training or certification, it’s time to update your resume. Hiring managers and recruiters are going through hundreds of resumes every day, so your resume needs to be formatted in a way that will grab their attention. Every line of your resume needs to convey how your skills and accomplishments can benefit the company’s bottom line. If you have bullet points on your resume that include outdated skills or don’t convey value, delete them. Make sure to update your LinkedIn profile with all the same changes, too.
4. Makeover Your Social Media –Companies using social media for hiring is at an all-time high of 92 percent, according to Staff.com. Social media is predicted to be a top channel for recruiters in 2014. It’s time to give your social media profiles a makeover, just like you did to your resume. Your profiles should have professional looking photos and include proper spelling and grammar. You should also refrain from making posts that contain profanity or are about controversial subjects.

  With the economy and employment rates in the midst of a recovery, 2014 is the perfect time to take control of your career and your future! This time next year, you could be reflecting back on how far you’ve come professionally.   Are you ready to reinvent your career? Porter and Chester Institute can help provide you the skills and training you need to start on a fulfilling new career path! The school offers a wide array of programs, nine convenient locations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, and flexible class times to accommodate your busy schedule. Fill out the form on this page to learn more about how Porter and Chester Institute can help you prepare for a new career!