The job search process can be intimidating but it is important that you find a job that meets your needs and satisfaction. So here are some tips on effective ways to do a job search!
Create a Plan
You would find that it is extremely helpful to create a plan before doing your job search. Determine what industry you want to work in, what types of roles you’re looking for, what salary you want and the type of company you want to work at. It’s very important to think about these things before doing your job search because it can help you set goals like the numbers of jobs you apply for per week or how many hours you spend job searching. You should also keep track of who you applied for and when you applied to them in a document or spreadsheet.
Make Your Job Search Diverse
There are a lot of ways to find jobs, especially online. There are many job search sites that have every type of job, sites that focus on one industry and employers’ career pages. Not every company posts their job listings on every job search site, so by making your job search more diverse, you may find opportunities that you would have missed. Check all your job search accounts regularly to see if anything pops up that you may be interested in.
Network
Networking is a great way to land a job since it connects you to job seekers that may have jobs and positions that interest you. Whether you’re looking for a new opportunity in your current field or a different field, networking is a great boost in helping you find what you’re looking for. You can network at industry specific events, conferences, online platforms, job fairs or even through people you know.
Reach Out to Potential Employers
Research companies in the industry you want to work in to see which one suits your interests. Use the list you created and see what job openings they have, past and current employees’ experiences working with those companies, and their mission statements and their culture to see if it suits your desires.
Use Social Media to Find Jobs
There are many social media sites that you can use to help your job search. Most business would have some sort of social media presence, even if it's not on every platform. You can look at companies who you think are a good fit for you on those platforms and see if they have job postings or mention that they are hiring. You can also use the research done on these companies to update your resume and applications to suit what these companies are looking for. Social media is also a great tool to help you network and find different opportunities and people of interest.
Prepare for Interviews
You can prepare for potential interviews by practicing responses to certain questions. It's very to prepare a few stories about your past experiences and try to relate them to the job you’re applying for to show why you would be a good candidate for that company.
Follow Up with a Thank You
After an interview, you should follow up with a thank you email/note for their time to increase the chances of you getting that job. It shows that you are appreciative and grateful for the company’s time for interviewing you and taking the time to consider you.
Be Patient
There are many times where the job searching process would be very slow, especially after the interview and waiting to see if you landed the job or not. But you must remain patient because you can cause unnecessary stress for yourself by checking in on an employer too much. Instead of dwelling over an application or interview, you should practice your skills or even develop new ones that you can add to your resume.
By Shannon Alexander (Career Peer)
