If one of your goals for 2021 is to find a new job, you are probably looking for some tips or tricks to help your search end successfully. Searching for a new job can be stressful, especially if you are currently out of work. Lucky for you, you came to the right place! If you want this career transition to be smooth, here are four essential job search tips you should follow.
Set up job alerts
One of the biggest mistakes job searchers make is aimlessly scouring job boards for new postings. Many of us have been in this position before. You insistently check your go-to job boards or social media platforms for brand new job postings. This process can be time consuming and exhausting. Instead of checking your phone every other minute, sign up for job alerts. You can set up job alerts on almost any major job board, such as our Talent Network. You can set up specific job search parameters to receive notifications or emails when new jobs that match your criteria are available. Gone are the days of mindlessly refreshing job boards. Work smarter, not harder, and you will have more energy to pour into your search.
Tailor your resume and cover letter
After you set up your job search alerts, you can spend some of that extra time tailoring your resume and cover letter. Yes, we still recommend cover letters in this stiff job market. You can create templates for these two documents, but you should always take some time to tweak them for each application. For your resume, you want to mirror the job description and pinpoint things in your resume that fit well with the description. Essentially, you want to highlight your skills that match what the employer is looking for in a prospective candidate. In your cover letter, you get the opportunity to be a little more creative. This is your platform to elaborate on your background or skillsets that fit the company’s culture, industry, and mission or vision. Again, you can have a generic template for your cover letter, but you want to tweak it to help you stand out to a hiring manager or recruiter.
Network throughout your job search
Additionally, you want to continue to network throughout your job search. Join groups on social media, become affiliated with professional organizations, and engage with your network. If you are out of work, let your network know! There is no shame in being in-between jobs – it happens to more people than you may think. Share your resume with one of these groups, let old colleagues know you are searching, and introduce yourself to new professionals in your target companies or industries. You never know how a simple conversation can transpire into an interview. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
Be engaging during your interview
Our final job search tip is to be engaging during your interview. Once you secure an interview, you have to do your homework. Research the hiring manager you are interviewing with, do a deep dive search on the company and practice commonly asked interview questions. However, the best way to be engaging is to have questions prepared ahead of time. Your interview will be much more interactive if you have questions ready to ask. This is how your interview can transition into a more casual conversation, allowing you to build rapport with your interviewer(s). Interviews can be awkward for both parties, but acting engaged throughout the entire interview will help you stand out and illustrate your interest in the position.
Are you looking for more job search tips?
So, there you have it. These four essential job search tips will help you excel in your search and improve your odds of securing an exciting opportunity. If you are looking for more job search tips, review our candidate resources! We have hundreds of helpful tips and tricks to share with you.
