Searching for a new position and navigating a competitive job market can feel overwhelming and daunting. Many job seekers try using the pray and spray method by applying to hundreds of jobs and sitting back and praying someone responds to them – this does not work! Keeping yourself focused and organized while using a variety of recruiting resources can help you find your next dream quickly and with less stress. Here are 7 Tips to help create a successful Job Search Strategy.
Build a Resume
Creating a professional resume that showcases your skills, abilities, and accomplishments is the first step in starting your job search. But when it comes to a resume, one size does not fill all. When reviewing and comparing various job descriptions you will see different terms to describe the same skills and duties. Having a tailored resume to use keywords found in those job descriptions will help you stand out from the crowd. If you have an objective or summary section on the top of your resume, make sure it matches the job you are applying for.
Identify Top Companies
You don’t want to select your future employer without doing your homework. Choosing the right employer can make the difference between finding a long-term fit with ample career growth or having to restart your job search within a year. To identify a company that’s right for you, consider a company’s success, size, location, company mission and any other factors you feel are important to your personal and professional interests. Use platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor to help gain insight into a company’s reputation, culture, interview process, and employee feedback. Once you identify your top companies, you can follow them on Social Media to keep up to date on important company news.
Networking and Engaging with Your Connections
If you are an introvert networking may seem scary, but using your personal connections, social media, or a professional network like LinkedIn does work. Reach out to people you know who can introduce you to someone who may be hiring or who works at a company you are targeting. Update your LinkedIn profile (LI Profile Tips) and leverage your network to increase your odds of finding a position. People do business with those they know and like, and according to CNBC, 70% of all jobs are not published publicly and as much as 80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections (CNBC Article)
Use a Recruiter
Top companies partner with recruitment firms to help them identify top talent for their organization. Recruiters often have access to jobs that never get posted. Working with a recruiter can get your resume directly in front of the hiring manager rather than get weeded out by a company’s Applicant Tracking System or lost in a sea of applications. Recruiters understand their client’s needs and can share company insights with you and help coach you throughout the interview process to help you put forward the best version of yourself so you can quickly get an offer.
Apply Using Various Job Boards
There are many types of job boards; some are general used for a wide variety of positions and industries and niche job boards typically geared toward more industry-specific positions. Job boards are a resume database where the job seeker posts their resume and the hiring company can review it and a job posting database where employers post their open positions and you can apply to them directly.
To best utilize a job board,
- Upload a professional resume with accurate information, and add keywords and skills relevant to the type of job you are seeking.
- Only apply for jobs you are qualified for and remember not all resumes should be used to apply for all positions ( see #1 above).
- Don’t limit yourself to using one job board, register on several to maximize your exposure to companies who are hiring.
- Set up Job Alerts so you can get alerted when a job is posted that matches the skills on your resume
Be Patient
Finding a job can be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster and It is easy to get discouraged when responses are lacking, the job search process is lengthy, or you are getting rejected. Finding the right position takes a lot of research, time, and effort and can be emotionally draining. Losing patience in your job search can lead to making an irrational decision and choosing to accept the 1st position offered in desperation.
Starting a career search doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Create a plan, be consistent in executing your plan, and find a way to stand out from the pack will get you noticed. Be persistent and never panic.
Bridge Personnel specializes in a range of roles in the Financial Services, Contact Center, and Non-Clinical Healthcare Industries. Contact us today.