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Your time is valuable, even more so when your goal is to get a job quickly. Don’t waste it by filling out a bunch of applications for positions you are only semi-interested in. Instead, take the time to research positions you would really enjoy, and then use your time wisely to find and apply for positions that match what you’re looking for.
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Most job boards and recruiting sites allow you to make specific searches based on your criteria, including the name of the position, salary, qualifications, and other requirements.
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If you’ve been safely tucked away in your company for quite some time, then it’s probable that you don’t even know what the job market is offering. Therefore, you have some heavy research ahead of you. Before you apply for a specific job, see what the market has to offer in general. Then compare particular job listings in terms of:
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You’ll need to know at least the ballpark of the salary for the positions you’re applying for. You can check salary trends for specific jobs (note that they will differ depending on the area you live in).
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Aside from that, it would be ideal to talk to someone who actually works for or has worked for the companies you’re targeting. Former or current employees will tell you more about the company culture and what’s expected of employees than hiring managers ever could.
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Don’t compromise on what you value most when it comes to where you want to work. A job posting may sound like a great fit for your skills, but the company culture needs to be a fit for you, too. Research employer brands online, read employee reviews and discuss culture fit in phone screens to be sure that both the positions and the companies you consider fit your work values and needs.
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Before starting your research, try compiling a list of what makes a company a great fit for you: its mission, vision, and values; location or remote work options; company-hosted events; a collaborative environment; and any other important traits.
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A good resume is a summary of your entire career — both academic and professional. However, it shouldn’t include everything you’ve ever done. Think of your resume as a movie trailer. You want to highlight the best parts in the limited amount of space you have. Of course, unlike a movie trailer, your resume should include your best “scenes” in context.
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So, before you apply for a job, check your resume and CV so you can make sure they showcase who you are as a potential employee. Also, make sure they are up to date. If the last time you tweaked your resume was five years ago, I’m sure there are plenty of things you need to add and remove from it.
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Finally, make sure that your resume includes your contact information and no typos. You might remember my tip from earlier — typos put off a staggering 72% of recruiters.
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A cover letter is your second opportunity to showcase that you’re specifically applying for that particular job. That shows enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment.
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Cover letter can’t be generic. You have to write one specifically for a job you’re applying to. A customized cover letter tells the hiring manager that you aren’t just after a job title but that you’re looking to become a member of that company.
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Now that you have a resume, you need to tweak it some more. Ah, yes, I know, it seems as if you’ll never be done with this job-hunting business. But tweaking your resume and application to tailor each specific job listing is vital for your success.
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Here’s the thing — applying for jobs looks a lot different today than it did ten or twenty years ago. Do you know who will be the first “person” to see your resume? A computer algorithm. Big companies or companies that outsource their talent hunt to HR companies use applicant tracking systems that go over all resumes and pick out those that fit the mold the best.
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That’s why it’s vital that the items on your resume fit the items on the company’s “wishlist.” Make each item on your resume an apparent “hit” for the job ad. Also, make sure that you write it out in simple terms.
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If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile (a good one), then you might as well not bother applying to jobs. Over 80% of hiring managers will check their candidates on LinkedIn. Therefore, if you don’t have a profile there, or your profile is bare and boring, the hiring manager will quickly write you off and throw your resume in the “no” pile.
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Here’s another thing to keep in mind — your LinkedIn profile isn’t set in stone. Many people who have brought their profiles to utter perfection (in their own humble opinions) and refuse to change anything. If that’s the case with you, then you have a problem on your hands.
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Just like with your resume, your LinkedIn profile should showcase that you’re a perfect match for a specific job position. Therefore, if you’re applying for positions other than the one you’re currently working on, you’re going to have to tweak some things.
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Everything is done online these days, so why not job hunting? By having an active LinkedIn profile, you’re already job hunting online. However, don’t limit your search in any way, especially by only checking a few job hunting sites. Utilize any and all job search engines that you can.
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Sites like Glassdoor, Monster, ZipRecruiter, Career Builder, etc., should be high in your “frequently visited” history. To save some time here are a few effective tips for searching for jobs online. Try out job search engines that allow you to search through all the major job hunting spots at the same time.
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They’ll list out job search sites I already mentioned (and a few dozen more) as well as company sites and all other sites that might be a hit based on your keywords. Make sure you also try Google for Jobs — that will also save you a lot of time.
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Besides that, take that list of companies you’d like to work for that you made before (see tip #1) and check their websites to see if they have a job listing or a “Job Opportunities” page. It sometimes pays to apply directly on the company’s website.
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Networking isn’t something you do when you decide to change jobs. It should be something that you regularly do whenever you meet someone who’s someone in your industry.
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However, your networking efforts need to go into overdrive when you are looking for a new job. Seek out industry events where hiring managers might be on the prowl for fresh talent. Join groups relevant to your industry and make sure you’re as active as your time allows. Position yourself as a knowledgeable, helpful, and well-rounded person in those groups because you never know who’s watching.
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Social media can help you immensely in your job search. However, you can’t just publish a Facebook post that you’re looking for a job and congratulate yourself on a job well done.
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There’s a specific etiquette when it comes to job hunting skills and social media. Your social media profiles are a great way to have an online presence. You can use them to subtly showcase just how knowledgeable in your field you actually are. What’s more, they are a fantastic tool for networking.
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Via social media, you’ll quickly get in touch with people who work in your field (or in fields you’re interested in). By connecting with them, you’ll have a large audience for your content, someone to ask for advice, and you’ll increase your visibility.
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However, make sure that social media doesn’t come back to bite you in the behind. If you open up your profiles, always be careful of what you post. Your future employers (and your current ones) will take a peek at your social media to get a better insight into who you are as a person outside of work. So make sure everything is squeaky clean.
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If you really want to get a job fast, you can’t just send an application and sit and wait for them to call you. No! You have to find an in. To do that, you have to reach out to companies and set up informational interviews or reach out to recruiters with (intelligent) questions (for example).
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Aside from that, you should also reach out to some of your (hopefully) future co-workers. Today, more and more companies are relying on their current staff to bring in new talent. That means you’re more likely to get into the company if you know someone “on the inside.”
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Building a rapport with the hiring staff and current employees is vital, but you can’t go overboard. If someone clearly has no interest in what you’re asking or doesn’t have the time for your questions, don’t be pushy. It’s not like you can bore someone into hiring you. Reach out, lay the seeds, and give them time to sprout.
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You must prepare for each interview. That means you have to do in-depth research about the company and prepare answers for some questions the hiring manager will surely ask. Make sure your appearance is appropriate (no shorts in interviews!) and that you look presentable. Even if the interview is via phone, preparation is a must.
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The interview is just one of the steps in the hiring process. After the first one, if you’ve done everything right, you’ll get asked to do a second interview. If the hiring managers don’t call you back for another interview, you probably made one of the common interview mistakes. Here’s what might have been detrimental:
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– You called the hiring manager by the wrong name. – When asked about the company, you didn’t know the answer. – You didn’t have a good elevator pitch (one that would sell you as the perfect fit in 30 seconds or less). – The skills you highlighted were the wrong ones.
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– You didn’t follow directions before or during the interview. – The references you gave them weren’t all positive (sometimes, even one previous manager or boss can hurt your chances if they don’t sing your praises). – Your social media profiles were too revealing or too unprofessional.
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Follow-ups are a great way to build rapport and show that you’re interested in the position and invested in getting the job. Ideally, you should send thank-you notes or emails to everyone who has been involved in your interview as soon as possible. Of course, don’t rush home to send the email, but do make sure you send it within 24 hours of the interview.