By Debbie Lousberg

Updated resume? Check!

Prepped for interviews? Check!

Networked for opportunities and developed new relationships? Check!

New job? Check! Check! Check!

Congratulations! Now you can move on and –  fingers crossed – not have to deal with these activities for a very long time.

But, wait a second. You just spent numerous hours enhancing your job search skills to land a great new role. Isn’t there a little more value to all this effort beyond the job search process?

Absolutely!

Let’s consider how you can maintain this momentum and continue using these skills to prime yourself for ongoing career success.

Self-assessment – One of the first steps in a job search is self-reflection. Getting clear on your values, motivators, strengths, and ideal job situation helps you get closer to opportunities that match your inner self and what you enjoy most in your work. Use ongoing self-assessment to check yourself throughout your career – are you on track and consistently finding fulfillment and meaning in your work?

Accomplishments – Oftentimes the things we forget are those we most need to remember, such as achievements and successes. Resumes and interview answers should be filled with them, and they should be kept handy for easy reference during performance reviews … and for those tough work days when you might need a reminder of your capabilities.

Communication – Stating goals clearly and concisely (not to mention professionally and respectfully) and following up in both written and spoken form are crucial components of effective job seeking. Job search activities give you the opportunity to practice and sharpen your communications skills and serve as perfect preparation for new work environments. Effective communication skills are key to every aspect of our lives, professionally and personally.

Networking – Now that you’ve made new connections and built relationships, doesn’t it make sense to keep that network of people active? Updating and thanking those who helped with your search, posting information about your new job or industry, and helping and connecting others is what networking is all about. Stay in touch and commit to reaching out on a regular basis. You never know who or what will someday assist you in your career or who you might be able to support, and by continuously adding value to your network you are making a great investment in your success.

Self-Management – Whether you’re managing your time, organizing documents, tracking activities, or disciplining yourself to be an effective, productive job candidate, these skills keep you sharp and in practice for demonstrating your on-the-job effectiveness.

By continuing to apply these job transition skills to your daily life, you not only better prepare yourself for future success, you also increase your likelihood of meeting interesting people and encountering surprising new opportunities!