The first few months of the new year offer a perfect opportunity for us to gear up for a new job. Many companies like to hire at the beginning of the first quarter, and job boards always seem stuffed with new opportunities in just about every industry. As men in sobriety, working somewhere we love is a great way to stay busy and focused, and, of course, a job also provides us with the resources to take care of our responsibilities. When you’re whipping that resume out of the file cabinet, here are a few things to remember.

• Keep it simple: Your potential boss will likely be reading lots of resumes, and you want your accomplishments to shine through and through. There’s no reason to list every job you’ve ever had, especially if many of them aren’t relevant. Keep your resume as short and to the point as possible.

• Leverage connections: As professionals, we tend to have a host of connections. As men in recovery, we likely have many more. The recovery family represents men and women from all walks of life, with all kinds of stories to share, connections of their own, and, quite possibly, job opportunities that may be perfect for us. Reaching out to inform members of the community that we’re in the search for a job can lead to some great results.

• Get social again: As far as leveraging connections goes, there’s no secret that this is the age of social media, and when it comes to professional platforms, LinkedIn is the Holy Grail. Make a free account, set up your resume, and connect with locals in the field you’re interested in. At the very least, social platforms like LinkedIn can be great ways to judge the competition.

• Don’t give up: Millions of Americans search for jobs every year. Some find one right away, and it takes others years to find the right one. Finding a job, much like the recovery process, isn’t a sprint– it’s a marathon. The most important part of looking for a job this new year is remembering that patience almost always wins out in the end.

At Tree House Recovery of Portland, Oregon, we’re committed to helping our men beat addiction, regain their independence, and lead confident lives without dependence on substances. Through the modalities we offer here, our men develop the tools they need to become better versions of themselves, and many of the tools they forge here perfectly translate over to the job search arena. With the confidence and independence they learn here, there’s one thing that’s certain: no matter where they apply, they’ll always put their best foot forward. Call (503) 850-2474 to get started with Tree House Recovery today.