Many people see the New Year as the right time to make a fresh start and to change or improve their careers. It looks like the timing could be right for those people looking to make a career move. The Canadian employers that Workopolis surveyed from numerous industries across the country told us that they are expecting to hire this year.

Here are some career essentials for landing a new job in 2013:

• Demonstrate that you have the soft skills that employers say they're looking for
• Tailor your resume specifically for the needs of each job that you apply for
• Google yourself: Be present (and presentable) on social media sites
• Tap your network for information and opportunities

In detail:

- Promote your soft skills

Since 67% of Canadian executives surveyed by Workopolis say that they are having trouble finding candidates with the right attitude, work ethic, communication skills and team working abilities, candidates can really stand out from the crowd by demonstrating that they have all of those qualities in all of their interactions with employers.

You can do this by making sure that your resume is well-written and error free. Highlight the times you've gone the extra mile in order to accomplish goals. Focus on your collaboration with successful teams. Use the job interview to demonstrate your positive attitude, enthusiasm and work ethic.

- Tailor your resumes and applications specifically for the job

Employers can easily spot a generic application and they are seldom impressed by it. What they want to see is a document that tailors your skills and experience specifically to the job that they posted, and that demonstrates what you can do for them.

List your accomplishments, not your duties at your previous roles. Hiring managers know what job descriptions match your old job titles. The unique and interesting part is what you alone accomplished in that role. What set you apart? What have you done, learned or accomplished there that can be particularly useful to your potential new employer? Tell them that.  

- Clean up your profiles

Google yourself. Can you find yourself? Do you like what you see?

A recent study found that 91% of hiring professionals have checked out a candidate’s profile on a social network as part of the screening process. 69% said they have rejected a candidate based on content found on a profile, while 68% said they have actually hired a candidate based on the same.

What they say that they really don't want to see:

• inappropriate photos,
• inappropriate comments,
• lying (facts that disprove what you claim in your resume),
• displays of poor communication skills,
• posting content about drinking and drugs.  

So, be present (and presentable) online. Social media can give you lots of opportunities to expand your network and communicate your thoughts, so use the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of your field. Comment on the latest news and developments in your industry. Write and share your own blog pieces.  Show that you are truly interested in your specialty and aware of what is going on.

- And beyond social networking sites, actually network

Like it or not, knowing the right people is always going to be an advantage when it comes to getting hired.

Most experts agree that only 15-20% of all available jobs are actually advertised to the public. Networking is the best way to tap into the vast supply of opportunities known as the 'hidden job market.' With such a large percentage of jobs going unadvertised, word-of-mouth referral is among the surest way to land a new job.

This doesn't mean that you have to be attending industry conferences and swapping business cards (although doing some of that certainly isn't a bad idea.)

What you need to have is a built-up set of professional connections who think highly of your work and abilities in your field, who would love to work with you or recommend you to others. This is achieved through the connections you make in school, while working, in your community activities and on social networks. It is accomplished through authentic interactions, and it takes time to build a genuine and powerful network.

So networking isn't something to start to do when you're looking for a job, it should be a part of ongoing career maintenance. Make it a part of your New Year's resolution for 2013. 

- Peter Harris
Peter Harris on Twitter