6 Ways to Make Yourself Look More Professional So You Can Land More Opportunities

At the beginning of 2022, I said I was going to land a job that would pay me a more stable salary. I wanted to get something using my degree. To achieve this goal I needed to make myself look more professional. It has been a long road, but I feel myself getting very close to reaching this goal. Here are the ways I have taken control of my career and my future.

Redo Your Resume

Resumes are probably one of the most important factors when landing a job. Your resume needs to be impactful if it’s going to make you stand out among the crowd. It should have action verbs and use a lot of metrics and numbers. The design should be appealing too. When I was redoing mine I started out using a template on Canvas and then I used Resume Worded to help me make my resume more impactful. You get quite a few free uploads before they make you pay. I paid for one month to get my resume up to where I wanted it and then canceled it. I’ve gotten so many more interviews since redoing my resume.

Make Your Linkedin Profile Look Professional

Linkedin is the second more important factor when trying to land a job. I’ve had Linkedin for a while, but I didn’t really know how to use it until recently. It’s much different than a resume. Resume Worded also has a (paid) feature to upload your profile and they will score it/make suggestions to improve your score. It’s so easy.

You Might Also Like: 5 Easy Ways to Make Your Linkedin Profile Stand Out.

Get Professional Looking Headshots Done

Obviously, the pictures you have on your Instagram will probably differ from your profile picture on Linkedin. It can be really hard to get professional pictures done especially when you are just starting out or are a college student. Luckily most of us have amazing cameras in our back pockets at all times. Grab a friend and a business casual outfit. Find a spot with good lighting and neutral background and have them take your photo in using portrait mode. A halfway decent professional-looking photo is better than no photo at all.

Start A Blog about Your Industry

Blogging doesn’t have to take up your whole life either. It can be as simple as a few blog posts per month. Or if blogging isn’t your thing, start a podcast or share a few reels or Tik Toks about your industry. It will help you showcase your knowledge and have you looking like an expert in your field.

Add Some Professional Certifications to Your Resume

Certifications are a great way to show that you are not only knowledgeable about your field but that you take charge of your own learning. The best part is that many certifications are free. All the Google Certifications are free of charge. Just google the best certifications for your desired field and look into the ones that are free or economical. I have added four certifications to my resume since the beginning of 2022! It has not only made my resume look better but overall made me a better marketer.

Check out: https://pinkandpineapple.com/certifications-you-can-add-to-your-resume-for-free/

Practice Interview Questions

Okay, let’s say you do all of these and get an interview. Congrats. Now all that there is to do is practice interview questions. One of the coolest features I have found on Linkedin is that there is a page dedicated to interviewing prep! The night before your interview look over that page and record yourself answering them as you would during your interview. I typically record myself using my phone’s camera until I feel more confident.

Are you trying to change your career? Share what works for you.