How can I increase my chances of landing my dream job in 2013?

OK - we have explored social media platforms and how you can really harness their power to make them work for you........ next is my honest advice from a recruitment consultant perspective having managed the career search of hundreds of candidates in the supply chain space.

The harsh reality is that you really need to invest some time in the following areas in order to maximise your chances of being approached about or finding that dream supply chain job...........

First things first.... update your resume! Do not leave resume writing until the last minute... tailoring the resume towards a specific application is fine, however large scale creative writing at short notice doesn't usually get the best results. Get your main achievements and responsibilities down on paper and quantify them wherever possible as this adds a great deal of credibility.

Next, meet with a handful of select recruiters in your space. I would recommend no more than 4-5 since you will then start to notice consultants calling you about the same opportunities and it becomes harder to manage. Build the rapport and ensure that the recruiter knows exactly what you are looking for... more importantly, make sure the recruiter knows their space! They will then be working hard in the background to keep you updated on the best opportunities.

Next up is your Linkedin profile.... if you haven't updated it in a few months then think about adding your newly acquired skills or significant achievements. Try to envisage what keywords someone would be searching on to land the best candidate for your ideal role - make sure all these key words feature in your profile. More specific to supply chain, an example would be to think about specific ERP systems you have worked with and any continuous improvement or project management methodologies you have become experienced (and accredited) in. Attach yourself to a number of relevant networking groups to increase the visibility of your profile and start to follow the businesses that interest you the most. Most people are tentative towards putting their ideas out to the world straight away, so maybe ease yourself into things by sharing interesting articles and providing a brief comment on your thoughts. 

Finally, register for e-mail job alerts on specific job boards and make them work for you. I can guarantee from experience, if you put in the effort front end... you will be able to relax and go about your corporate and personal life without having to devote a significant amount of time every week towards managing your own career search. If you require any further advice, feel free to make contact with any specific questions you may have.