Let’s be honest; looking for a job can be quite stressful, no matter where you are in your job search. Here are some tips that can put you ease throughout the process. The ball is always in your court.
First things first- block out designated time exclusively for your job search. Focus is the key.
Now, begin by creating a plan so you can navigate the job search process. Having a structure in place will keep you focused and organized.
What are your goals this time around?
What jobs skills do you currently have experience with or education/training that can be utilized?
Tip: Decide what type of job you want. It is very important to know what you are willing to accept.
Are you looking for full-time work with or without benefits, or part-time, with or without benefits? You can also consider temporary, contract, and contract-to-hire positions that can get you in the door of a company as well. You can determine if you want to work on site at the business location or possibly work remotely from home. Consider all of your options and what works best for your situation.
Tip: Determine if the job will add to your skills or a survival job, which can still provide you additional skills that can be leveraged as well.
Tip: Salary; decide how much you are willing to accept, whether you are just starting out with your first job, or you’re a seasoned professional. Keep in mind; your circumstances and your goals prior to beginning your search will save you time and prevent frustration.
Realize that it may take some time to locate a position, so don’t get discouraged. Stick to your plan and remain focused on your end goal- finding suitable employment that will meet your needs.
Keep in mind that each job that you’ve had has given you skills that can be transferable to other jobs, occupations and industries.
Tip: Make a list of what you did at each previous job to pull out skills that you may have overlooked or just taken for granted as “just doing my job”. These details count as your skill set and valuable experience giving you leverage while you search and apply for positions. These skills will be the keywords that you will use later.
Tip: Make sure you have a valid email address as all online job sites require an email address. The two most utilized free emails are Gmail from Google and Yahoo mail.
Tip: Indeed, Ziprecruiter, LinkedIn and Glassdoor are a few job site platforms that are great options and are the most recommended by job seekers and employers. You can send your resume and a cover letter using these sites and get a confirmation email that you applied for your records. Some sites show what positions you applied for, when you applied, and even where you are in the process, and if the position was closed or filled- so you know where you stand.
An additional note about LinkedIn that can help you tremendously- it’s a site for professionals. You can get to know companies and obtain contact information to follow-up with the hiring managers to help you get your foot in the door of your targeted companies.
Tip: Apply directly at the company’s website and apply for the same positions that were posted on the third-party sites.
Going directly to the company website can be very beneficial as your information will be in their database already where the company recruiter can extract it and contact you faster. It also shows if the position is still open when you apply.
Tip: Keep track of your job searches. Keeping a notebook or creating a spreadsheet is great for organization and future reference and prevents you from applying for the same position on a different platform, which can remove you from consideration as it may look like a duplicate submission by the automated tracking system. When you get responses, you can refer back to when you applied and what position you applied for, especially if you applied for multiple positions for the same company.
Now that you have done your prep work, you are ready to search for jobs. Refer to your list of skills and the keywords that you will use for both your job searches and as you review the job descriptions of the jobs that you are targeting. Also, add those keywords to your resume.
Tip: The keywords will keep your resume from being ghosted by the automated AI tracking systems that scan resumes in databases. Without those keywords, your resume can be removed from consideration, or “weeded out” (if you will), before an actual recruiter or hiring manager will ever see it.
Some job sites show you how many applicants applied and some show how long the position was posted.
Tip: For best results, apply for the positions that were just posted within hours and days. By doing so, you will have a better chance of having your application and resume seen by an employer. You want to be at the top of the viewed and selected list.
Tip: Set up job alerts with the positions that you want to target so the job sites and company sites can send jobs to your email inbox, making your search even easier, faster, and more efficient, which saves you time and energy.
Final tip: Keep your resume simple, short and to the point using your keywords that match the job you are applying. Tailor your resume to each job you are applying, referencing your skills that relate to that job and your accomplishments, so your resume will stand out.
In conclusion, strategic planning and focused efforts can help to alleviate any angst and effectively navigate this job search journey with a positive outcome and confidence. See yourself as successful. Remember, you have skills that companies need. Get up every morning and say this to yourself in the mirror – YOU GOT THIS!