If a new job or entrepreneurship opportunity is what you need to jumpstart your new goals in life off right, then you need to have a solid plan in place. Looking for a new career or starting a new business can be intimidating, frustrating and downright depressing when things get a little tough. Being prepared with a strategy can aid in easing the painful parts of the process and also increase chances of landing a job faster or growing your business. Use the following tips as a compass to help you navigate through the job search process.
 
Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses
 
Before you begin your journey consider taking a career assessment test to evaluate the areas that you excel in as well as your weaker areas. Make sure that you are in fact seeking a job that is a fit for your skill set, personality and overall quality of life. Getting to know yourself will help you to find a new job that will truly be satisfying.
 
Perfect your resumè or profile
 
Edit, review and update your resumè or online freelance profile. Be sure to highlight skills your future employer or client can see and increase chances of success.Have you learned a new skill on your previous job that is not listed on your resume or profile? Have you volunteered recently? Do not make the mistake of sending a ‘one-size-fits-all’ resumè. Take the time out to research the job or opportunity you are trying to obtain. What is the skill set required for the position or task? Education? Tailor each resumè to the job you are seeking. Use your resumè to paint a picture of your relevant skills and achievements so that the employer or client can visualize how you could be an asset to their company. Pro Tip: Use keywords in your resumè. Why? Because some recruiters and HR professionals use applicant scanning software, that must get past a machine before reaching human.
 
Improve your online career presence
 
The Internet makes it very easy to promote your new business or for an employer or recruiter to find qualified candidates for employment. If your profile is not updated, is dull or boring or even worse nonexistent --you could possibly miss out on the job of your dreams. Review and edit your social media accounts to make sure that your career experience is updated. LinkedIn is a good platform to keep your career stats posted on because its primary purpose is for business and career networking to take place. You can also use other social media platforms to prove that you are the expert in your field. For example use Twitter and Facebook to share tips in your industry.
 
Be creative
 
It is important to find ways to stand out and showcase your uniqueness. Being creative during your job search or business opportunity can get you noticed over the competition --even if the competition is more qualified than you! Along with your resumè, send a link to a video resumè (who's not going to notice that?). Use Instagram to showcase your portfolio of work and submit the link in your cover letter.

Be confident
 
When you get the interview (via phone, Skype or in person) be confident that you are the right candidate for the position. Be sure to smile when you talk, answer questions as thoroughly as possible and ask questions about the position and the company. At the end of the interview ask for the job. This shows the employer you are serious about moving forward.
 
Finding a new job can be a job within itself or starting a new freelance business , but if you take it seriously and are consistent the job of your dreams could be right around the corner.