Job Searching Tips

Before starting your job search always take the time to consider your strengths and limitations and most importantly the type of work you enjoy. The better you know yourself, the more likely you are to find a new job that provides you with the satisfaction you are looking for. 

• What do you want in a job?
• What's most important, title, money, promotion, the work itself, location or culture?

Research your companies

Once you know what you are looking for, it's time to find out what the companies want. A great tip for finding a new job is to explore a company. It will help you get a feel for their company culture. 

Fit your resume to each role

Your CV or LinkedIn Profile is one of the most critical tools of a job search. A top recruiter will check both out not only to see if they match but also to see what your social presence is like. Depending on the type of role this can be very important. A lot of CVs and Profiles I see are full of responsibilities (instead of tangible achievements and responsibilities) and jobseekers send the same resume to all roles. One of my best tips for finding a new job is to have an achievement-oriented CV that related to the role you are applying for. It is not always obvious why you would be a good fit so sell that too us. 

Make yourself an obvious fit. Study the words and phrases that are used in the job description and make sure you include them in your resume (provided you have that experience, of course). Make your CV right to each job – a top recruiter should know within a few seconds of looking at your CV that you have the skills they are looking for.

Create your online brand

Showcase your expertise online where employers searching the Web can find it. Most recruiters, including myself, use LinkedIn as their primary search tool and if you're a professional, you need to be using LinkedIn to your full advantage. It's a great resource for finding people working at companies that interest you and for aligning yourself to be found by recruiters and hiring managers with relevant openings.

Get organised

Take a moment to develop a system that works for you in organising your job search. A simple spreadsheet works best for many to keep a track of the jobs you've applied for, where you have been invited to interview, etc.

Build, cultivate, and utilise your network of contacts

Don't be afraid to reach out to people on LinkedIn, and if you know someone working at the company that interests you, ask for a referral. Hiring managers would prefer to interview people who came recommended before sorting through the CVs arriving via a career website.

Don't limit yourself to online applications

If you rely only on applying via online applications, you could be looking for a job for a very long time. By the time you apply, the company might be in the final interview stage, or the job might have even been filled. Contact companies that interest you directly - you might get in contact with an internal recruiter. You want to be known to the people who might impact you getting your foot in the door.

Aim to complete a few goals daily

It takes a great deal of time and effort to find a new job. In a long job search, it's easy to get discouraged and distracted, but by concentrating on achieving daily goals you can motivate yourself while also building a base for success.

Treat yourself well

Looking for a job can be stressful. So, take some time to exercise, watch a movie or whatever it is that helps you unwind. Don’t treat it like a 9-5, think about it as an opportunity to explore new job routes and personal goals. 

Develop examples and stories that showcase your skills

People remember stories, so your goal should be developing a set of interview stories you can use in meetings or interviews that demonstrate your skills, achievements, and passion for your work. Be unforgettable! Using stories (use the STAR format, Situation, Task, Action, Result) may also help you feel more comfortable talking about yourself.

Prepare for all job interviews

Before you get called for your first interview, develop responses for common interview questions, and then practice them — ideally using the mock-interviewing technique with a friend or family member. The more prepared you are for the interview, the more likely you'll succeed. If you are going through a recruitment agency, if they don’t set one up before hand, ask for a preparation call no more the 48 hours before the interview. They should know the client well so should be able to answer your questions and help fill you in on the type of questions that are usually asked so you can be fully prepared. 

Send Feedback

A quick note (by email is fine) of thanks that underlines your interest and fit with the job and employer will not get you the job offer, but it will help make you stand out. If they are interviewing a few candidates, this will help them remember you and what was discussed. All top recruiters look for your feedback so they can send your feedback and thoughts to their client for this reason. 

Continue following up

Your work is not done once the interview is complete or the feedback email sent. Following up with the hiring manager regularly shows your interest and enthusiasm for the job. The key is doing so in a way that is professional. If they said would be 48 hours then leave for 48 hours’ notice but then continue to chase, polite email and then a call if necessary. Any reputable company will provide feedback whether this is positive or negative. All feedback is positive when you are job searching as this can help you with your next interview. 

Expect the job search to take longer than you initially thought 

You can wish to have a new job within a short period, but the likely reality is that it might take months to find the right opportunity. You should mentally prepare yourself for this by keeping positive and making sure you have given your self the best chance possible for securing a role by following these key steps. 

5 Final Thoughts 

1. Having both a positive attitude and outlook is extremely important. Employers can sense desperation and despair; organizations want to hire positive and competent people. 

2. If you're an older worker trying to find a job, you may face age discrimination. Among the ways to proactively counter any issues about your age are to limit the number of years of experience you list on your resume (by keeping to the last 10-15 years)

3. Remember that you may need training, especially if you are entering a new career field but also if you are returning to a field you may have been away from for a number of years. 

4. You may need to consider temping or volunteering for a short period to gain experience and build network contacts that can lead to a full-time position

5. In some cases, you may need to consider relocation to a place that has a higher concentration of jobs in your chosen field of expertise. 

 

Advice    Gareth