5 Simple Job Search Tips People Always Forget
Whether you're searching for your first job, or looking to change jobs, you know you're up against some serious competition.
Factor in the impersonal approach most companies are taking to screening applicants, and finding or furthering employment can quickly become discouraging. So, what might you be overlooking in your search for your new position?
Keep reading.
Factor in the impersonal approach most companies are taking to screening applicants, and finding or furthering employment can quickly become discouraging. So, what might you be overlooking in your search for your new position?
Keep reading.
1. Mirror, Mirror, Get The Job
Online resumes are chosen by computerized Applicant Tracking Systems, so if you aren’t mirroring specific terms, keywords, and phrases from the job description, your resume is less than ineffective; it’s invisible.
Always make sure to read job descriptions carefully and look for terms that and keywords that match your skills.
Use these exact words or phrases in your application so that the ATS will pull your application out of cyberspace and put it into the hands of a living person.
Learn more about how to make your resume pass the ATS application by reading this article.
Always make sure to read job descriptions carefully and look for terms that and keywords that match your skills.
Use these exact words or phrases in your application so that the ATS will pull your application out of cyberspace and put it into the hands of a living person.
Learn more about how to make your resume pass the ATS application by reading this article.
2. Use LinkedIn To Get Linked In
LinkedIn is the most widely used social media site for professional recruiters. If you aren’t using LinkedIn, you will not get seen.
Treat your LinkedIn page like a showcase for your skills, professional persona, and experience. Also treat it as an online hub for your professional connections.
Building your network on LinkedIn will open you up to far more opportunities than any offline network you may have.
Further, When your employment needs change, your LinkedIn page should change, too.
Abandoning your LinkedIn profile could cause you to miss out on your perfect-fit opportunity. That would be tragic. So, don’t neglect your LinkedIn profile. Keep it growing with you.
Treat your LinkedIn page like a showcase for your skills, professional persona, and experience. Also treat it as an online hub for your professional connections.
Building your network on LinkedIn will open you up to far more opportunities than any offline network you may have.
Further, When your employment needs change, your LinkedIn page should change, too.
Abandoning your LinkedIn profile could cause you to miss out on your perfect-fit opportunity. That would be tragic. So, don’t neglect your LinkedIn profile. Keep it growing with you.
3. Resumes, Like An Expensive Suit, Must Be Tailored
Apart from mirroring specific terms and keywords, your resume should be tailored to the specific needs of the company to which you’re applying.
It will do you no good to focus on your skills and experience in commercial banking when you’re trying to land a job in the engineering sector.
Even if you are applying for several different positions that are similar but not exact, you should have a special version of your resume for each position.
Tailor your resume so that it fits the opportunity you’re pursuing like an expensive, well-made suite. Otherwise, you will look like an ill-fitting applicant, and that’s never a good look.
It will do you no good to focus on your skills and experience in commercial banking when you’re trying to land a job in the engineering sector.
Even if you are applying for several different positions that are similar but not exact, you should have a special version of your resume for each position.
Tailor your resume so that it fits the opportunity you’re pursuing like an expensive, well-made suite. Otherwise, you will look like an ill-fitting applicant, and that’s never a good look.
4. Passion Is A Potion, Especially In Person
There has been some debate over the effectiveness of cover letters. And when you consider that most of the initial hiring process is computerized you can see that there may be some truth to these arguments.
So how do you set yourself apart from the crowd? By proving your passion in person.
Scheduling informational interviews with people at companies you're interested in working for can increase your visibility and get you on the radar.
Being passionate yet professional will endear you to people on the inside, and on the inside is where you want to be.
By networking within the company you are interested in, you show your determination and willingness to go the extra mile to get the job you want. You also make connections that can be key to your landing the job.
So how do you set yourself apart from the crowd? By proving your passion in person.
Scheduling informational interviews with people at companies you're interested in working for can increase your visibility and get you on the radar.
Being passionate yet professional will endear you to people on the inside, and on the inside is where you want to be.
By networking within the company you are interested in, you show your determination and willingness to go the extra mile to get the job you want. You also make connections that can be key to your landing the job.
5. Make Manners Your M.O.
We’ve all heard it before: Manners Matter. This is especially true in the professional world. Prompt, personal, and polite thank you notes could be the one thing that sets you apart from other candidates.
Interviewers and recruiters value their time, and when you take a moment to personally thank them, you show that you value their time, too.
That simple courtesy can go a long way, so don’t skip saying thanks. It could be the thing that sets the seal on your approval.
Interviewers and recruiters value their time, and when you take a moment to personally thank them, you show that you value their time, too.
That simple courtesy can go a long way, so don’t skip saying thanks. It could be the thing that sets the seal on your approval.
Conclusion
No one said Job searching would be fun, nor did they say it would be easy. If they did, they were lying to you.
The fact is, searching for a job is much like working a job.
You need to know what you’re doing if you’re going to be successful. Your application needs to stand out to be seen.
If you do get a job offer, before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you get a contract review from a professional to ensure you don’t get stuck in a bad position.
The fact is, searching for a job is much like working a job.
You need to know what you’re doing if you’re going to be successful. Your application needs to stand out to be seen.
If you do get a job offer, before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you get a contract review from a professional to ensure you don’t get stuck in a bad position.
