We’re just a week into 2011, and some of us here at Agile are finding it a bit difficult to stay true to our New Year's resolutions. But as tricky as it may be, it’s time to get down to business and focus on keeping those resolutions.

If you’re an IT professional who has resolved to find a new job, you’ve most likely committed to doing whatever it takes to get THAT job.  You’re going to spend more time networking. You’re going to get additional training. You’re going to practice responding to interview questions during your morning shower. You’re going to blah, blah, blah.  But have you actually followed through? Agile wants to make sure you succeed in your job search. That’s why we’re adding three more resolutions to your list of “things I must do in 2011 to further my IT career.”

Resolution 1:  Be proactive.

Maybe the best way to explain the importance of being proactive is with Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey contrasts being proactive with being reactive. Reactive people, he says, are those who are resigned to the truth that whatever they do in the present can have no effect on their circumstances. Proactive people, on the other hand, simply will not accept that there is nothing that can be done about the events of daily life - they believe there are always choices. It is by the decisions we make, our responses to people, events and circumstances that proactive people can and do affect the future.

Being proactive in your job search will actually make the process easier in the long run, and it doesn’t require extra work. Simple things like making sure your resume is customized for a specific job before you apply or send it to a recruiter; having good references available before you’re asked to submit them; communicating and keeping your recruiter informed of where you are in the job search at all times will help to move you along the job hiring process in a less stressful manner.

Resolution 2:  Be tenacious. 

A lot of what we get out of life is directly tied to how much we want it and how much we're willing to pursue it. Finding the right IT job may not be easy. It will probably require a lot of work.  That’s why you need to treat the job search like it’s a real job. Get goal-oriented. Be thoughtful and consider what is and isn’t within your control – “I want a promotion” may fall outside your realm of control, but “I want to become a manager” is a realistic aspiration that you can control. 

Once you know your goal(s), stay focused and don’t give up. Believe in yourself and with your patience, perseverance and a little help from your recruiter, you’ll find what you’re looking for. In the meantime, stay goal-oriented and be organized. Keep track of job submittals, manage interviews/appointments, and be on the lookout for networking opportunities with other professionals who may be able to help you achieve your career goals. As French chemist, Louis Pasteur said “Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal: my strength lies solely in my tenacity.”

Resolution 3: Be positive.

We know – the past year or two has been rough. But the IT job market is opening up. All indicators point to job growth in the technology sector this year. So chin up!  There will be plenty of opportunity in the coming months, and that is all the more reason you need to keep positive. We’ve seen instances where candidates, perhaps frustrated by unemployment or being stuck in a dead-end job, go in to interviews with a chip on their shoulder. Hiring managers and HR staff can smell negativity a mile away, and it creates a bad first impression. Many job seekers kick themselves in the “you know where” during interviews because they do not portray a positive image. No matter what your situation, leave the negativity behind during the job search.

We’ll close with this thought that a wise man once said. If you habitually focus on the “bad things” that are happening to you and repeatedly cultivate negative emotions, the Universe will dutifully provide you with more situations that generate these thoughts and feelings. On the other hand, if you work to cultivate positive thoughts and emotions, even gratitude, the Universe will comply by providing an abundance of positive experiences. It will manifest more things for which to be grateful.