13 INCREDIBLY USEFUL JOB SEARCH TIPS FOR ANY PROFESSIONAL
January 31, 2019Job searching- I've been there a few times and each time it seems like things just get harder instead of easier. Before I landed at my current company I spent my fair amount of hours job searching, and even after I landed a job at the company it wasn't a permanent position- so I had to continue looking before I was hired as a full-time employee.
Now that I'm ready to move to on to something new, I'm back job hunting and the only reason why it's easier this time around its because I have learned a few things with time and I'm here to share them with you. Use the below tips to be able to find and apply to as many jobs as possible.
The Job hunt process can be exhausted, these 13 tips will make both the process and your life easier.
13 Ways To Make The Job Search Process Easier
1. Know Exactly What You Want
Before you start job hunting is crucial you identify where you stand. It is important for you to know the problems/issues with your current job or career as a whole, knowing this will help you avoid the same mistakes.TIP: Make a list of your current job tasks and next to them write if you like them or not and the reason why.
Make sure you are clear on why you are leaving your current job.
2. Create a list of everything you DON'T want
Your evaluation will help you identify everything that you want, but it should also help you identify everything that you don't want from your next job. When creating this list write everything down like a "dump list". You will be the only one that will be seeing this list, so it does not matter what goes in there, as long as you are being real and honest with yourself.Your list should include;
-What type of work you don't want to do
-What type of day to day job you don't want to do
-What type of commute you don't want to do
-What type of work environment you don't want to be in
3. Create a list of everything you DO Want
In case you forgot or were not able to identify everything you wanted with your evaluation, creating a "WANTS" list will give you a clear perspective of what it is that you are looking for. But, keep it real- is important to be realistic when creating your list. Keep your standards high, but keep them realistic. You will be using this list when reading through jobs, if you don't keep it real you will be walking away from every job you look at.4. Create A List Of Benefits
When creating your wants list, create a separate list for your benefits. This list will come in hand when negotiating your salary. Having everything in a list will make sure you do not forget anything when trying to negotiate and going through the job offer. It is important you know what type of benefits you want so you are able to ask for them when the time comes.Benefits are:
-Salary
-Retirement Plans & Contributions
-Vacation Time
-Sick Time
-Maternity Leave
-Insurance Benefits (medical, dental, vision)
-Disability Income Protection
-Tuition Reimbursement
-Flexible Work Arrangements (working from home)
-Life Insurance
5. Identify Your Current Annual Salary Before Tax
If you get paid hourly, then this is something that you might not know by hard, especially if don't look at your pay breakdown as often as you should. Before you start job searching is important you know how much you make now, this is important to know because you should know how much you make now before you even identify how much you would like to be making.You need to figure out your salary before taxes because that is the amount you will be asked when filling out the application, when working with a recruiter, and when you are searching for opportunities. Knowing how much someone in the same industry and with the same job as you makes will help you identify your market value (this comes into play when you are negotiating your salary).
You Should Also Read: What You Need To Know-Negotiate Your Salary
6. Stay Organized
Keep track of every job you applied to, every recruiter you work with, and every job you had gone in for an interview. Staying organized is key during this process, the last thing you would want to do is not keep track of where you are applying.Want to start right now? Download your FREE copy of the "Take Control Of Your Career & Stay Organized Job Tracker"
This tracker has been created to have ALL of your job hunt-related information in one place at the tip of your hands. No more writing notes, forgetting information, or forgetting where you stand with an application. Get Organized NOW!
7. Have your Resume Updated
There is nothing worse than finding a job that sounds like it might be perfect for you, but also realizing your resume has not been updated or reviewed. The last thing you want to do is miss the opportunity of applying for that job because you don't have your resume ready, or worst- put something together last minute that has a lot of mistakes and does not showcase your true self.Before you start any of the steps I've mentioned above, update your resume. Review your resume, and then have a person or two review your resume. It is crucial that you have the best version of your resume ready when you start job searching because you never know when it will be time to submit it. Best have it ready before starting.
Download a FREE copy of my Resume Template to get you started!
8. Have A Cover Letter Template
Cover letters need to be tailored for each job, but just because your cover letter should be different for all of the jobs you apply to does not mean you should not have a template ready. Cover letters are not a must in all of the job applications, but they are an option for most of them, and for others, they are a need. So, if you have your resume ready but not a cover letter you will end up right where you started- without being able to submit your application because you are missing something.The internet is full of great tips and resources when it comes to cover letters. Take one night and do your research, and create a template that works best for you. Since cover letters should be tailed for each job, do not pay to much attention to every detail on your template- your template should be a guide, not the final product.
9. Update your LinkedIn
Just like is a must to have your resume updated before you start job searching, is very important you do the same when it comes to LinkedIn. LinkedIn is not only a networking platform but is also your virtual resume. People are constantly reviewing your profile, your skills, and your online performance. LinkedIn is recruiters #1 tool nowadays, so why not have that also showcase the best version of yourself.10. Know Where To Apply
For some, this might be the easiest steps, but for others, it might not be. If you are ready to start searching for your next job and sending applications, know where you should be looking.Here are a few ...
- LinkedIn Jobs
- Indeed.com
- Monster.com
- Glassdoor.com
- Company's website
- Robert Half International
TIP: Turn on your notifications so you could be the first one to know when there is a new job posted with the same job title or keyword from your search.
LinkedIn is good for sending you "Top picks for You" where they also include how many people have applied to the position, if alumni from your school or company work there, as well as skills that they have matched based on your LinkedIn profile and the job post.
11. Narrow Down Your List
Make a list of companies you are interested in working for, then go on google and write the company's name + career. For example, if you would like to work for a bank you would put Bank Of America careers- This will take you straight to their career page, here you would filter by location, zip code or job title and start looking for available jobs.
Narrowing down your list does not mean these are the only places you will look, but it is a good way to start or an additional way to do your search if sites like Indeed or LinkedIn are too much for you.
12. Know-How To Read The Job Post
You can spend so much time just reading a job post, and when you are an active job seeker- there are a lot of job descriptions to read. Here is how you get to look at many job posts without spending a whole day in just a couple of job posts.
1. Read the Requirements/ qualifications sections first
If you check off most of the boxes or all of the boxes of the qualifications, move to step #2
2. Read the Job Responsibilities / Job Description
If you are still interested in the job, move to step #3
3. Read the Company's background
If you are ready to apply for this job, move to step #4
4. Look for "How To Apply" instructions and additional paragraphs & information.
13. Keep An Open Mind
Last but not least,
When job hunting it's important you keep an open mind. Do not disregard every job because they have one minor thing that you included in your "do not want" list or because there is that one thing in their job description that you think is not you or for you. Just like your resume, a job description is just that- a description, a glimpse of what it truly is.
When job hunting it's important you keep an open mind. Do not disregard every job because they have one minor thing that you included in your "do not want" list or because there is that one thing in their job description that you think is not you or for you. Just like your resume, a job description is just that- a description, a glimpse of what it truly is.
It is very important you give certain jobs a chance, you will only learn more about the job in an interview. This is the time where you could ask all of the questions you could have had when you looked at the job and even when you applied for it. Keep in mind- for some jobs, you will just know when they are not for you, but for others, you will need to give it a chance to see if it works.
It's important you know what you want from the beginning like that you will be able to eliminate the jobs that do not fit with your wants or needs. You will spend more time looking and applying for jobs that fall with what you want than for jobs that are not right for you.
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