It’s not easy to get a new job, but don’t worry. It’s simple to learn how to job hunt like a pro and achieve the outcomes you want. While every job seeker and every job search are unique, there are several best practices that can benefit every job seeker. When searching, you can begin by looking out for opportunities that make more sense to you for choosing a job.
In a quick and simple checklist, here are the dos and don’ts of job hunting:
The Do(s) while choosing a job
- Have a job search plan that outlines how you’ll look for the type of job you want, where you want to work, and the type of company you want to work for.
- When putting together your job search strategy, do some research, such as learning about organisations that interest you.
- Do put together a job skills portfolio, also known as a work portfolio, that highlights all you have to offer a potential employer by focusing on work you’ve done for previous companies.
- In your current employment market, make a list of your most important accomplishments and talents.
- Consider all job-hunting resources available on the Internet, such as general job search sites, industry-specific job sites, geographic-specific job sites, official corporate sites, social media, forums, and so on.
- Do research the latest and excellent jobs in your industry, especially if this is your first job search in a long time. You can also follow the blogs of job search coaches about how to job hunt.
- Make sure to grow your brand. Blog about your profession or participate in work-related Facebook groups. Doing so will guide you in defining your value to current and prospective employers.
- Do use transferable skills to make your work experience more relevant. Especially if you are recent college grads or changing careers, make yourself relevant.
- Learn about the most up-to-date job search tactics in your field, particularly if this is your first job search in a long time, by following job search coaches who blog about how to job hunt.
- Grow your brand by writing about your job on a blog or joining work-related forums or Facebook groups. This will assist current and potential employers to define you and your value.
- Make use of transferrable talents to make your work experience more relevant – this is especially important for recent college graduates and career changers.
- Make at least one version of a captivating elevator presentation for job hunting, job fairs, and any other networking opportunities, such as parties or local conferences.
- Before you go, get your favourite managers’ permission and contact information so you may compile a reference document to hand over to recruiters when they ask.
- Build professional-looking resumes and cover letters that quantify your accomplishments with action verbs and numbers. Consider using a free resume maker if you don’t have strong application materials.
- Make each employer’s cover letter unique by integrating their job needs with your talents and expertise. Cover letter examples and cover letter templates can help you get started.
- Do personalise your CV for each job by stressing the skills you believe will best impress them.
- Make sure you can be reached by possible employers. On your resumes, business cards, and email signatures, include your mobile phone number and email address. Also, be certain that your voicemail (or email address) sounds professional.
- Be persistent in following up on all job leads. Recruiters are humans just like you, with plans that can change at any time. Openings close and reopen on occasion.
- Prepare for your job interviews by practising. Also, remember to ask questions during the interview.
- Send thank-you letters to everyone who has interviewed you. Handwritten messages should be mailed or delivered for maximum impact.
- Make the most of your friends, family, and coworkers by networking, networking, networking.
- Make an effort to receive many job offers from different companies so that you can choose the greatest fit for you.
- If you’ve been job seeking for several months and haven’t found anything, take some time to analyse and reflect on your strategy.
- Emphasize your strengths. Yes, interviewers already know you’re driven and enjoy working with others. Stop wasting space on your cover letter and time during interviews by highlighting vague personal characteristics.
- Show employers examples of how you’ve demonstrated you have what it takes to flourish in their open position rather than merely stating what makes you better than the other candidates.
- Before an interview, make connections. Every time you notice a position you’re interested in, do some research on the firm to learn about its beliefs, benefits, culture, and who you should connect with. Making these connections could give you the edge you need to rise to the top of the interview stack.
- Connect with experts via social media after you’ve done your homework on the company. To promote yourself as a thought leader, leave comments on their posts or contribute content to demonstrate that you have comparable areas of interest. Make sure all of your interactions are relevant and positive, regardless of how you connect.
Also read How to be Confident in an Interview How to Approach Someone on LinkedIn for a Job Relationship Counselling : Job Prospects For Mending Broken Hearts 20 Fun Things To Do In Your Home During Quarantine!
The Don’t (s) choosing a job
- Don’t expect to get a new job fast; even if you know how to job seek like an expert, getting the results you desire requires time and patience.
- Don’t rely on a single way of job hunting, such as spending eight hours a day on the internet browsing job boards.
- If you’ve been fired, laid off, or downsized, don’t feel disheartened. Job hunting is a long process and you learn something new with every opportunity.
- Don’t quit your current work until you’ve found a new one, and when you do, give adequate notice. When resigning, do so with grace and respect.
- Sending out resumes that haven’t been proofread by someone else is a bad idea. At the very least, read them out loud to yourself, which is an easy method to catch errors.
- Don’t just rely on passive job-search strategies like publishing your CV online and waiting for recruiters to contact you, or changing your social accounts to state “open for full-time employment” without doing much social networking.
- Even if your interviews went well, don’t wait for a job offer from a company. It can take up to two months for certain companies to make a hiring decision! Continue to move forward.
- It’s important to set goals, but you should approach them realistically during your job search. We’ve all been enticed by high wages and prestigious job titles, but applying for jobs that are well outside of your skillset reduces your chances of getting hired.
- Look for chances within a company that not only has an opening that your talent can fill, but also offers their employees opportunities for advancement. While you may not begin as the CEO, you will have an excellent foundation from which to build your way up.
The best way to find the job you desire is to change all the time. Trends in your business, as well as your commitment to follow up throughout the process, how you identify and impress employers. You’ll be alright if you remember these dos and don’ts.