If you’ve been looking for a new job for a while and haven’t found anything, you may be tempted to think that things must be bad. But it isn’t so. A job search is like any other process – you have to plan, and you have to know what you want. And you have to work at it systematically.
We know that may sound scary, but we’re here to help. We made a list of four major steps you can take when job hunting – to make the whole experience easier, smoother, and more natural for you. There are many platforms out there to help you do the same, and here are live career reviews to help you decide if they’re right for you. So, without further ado, let’s get to your job-search adventure!
1. Information
When you are looking for a job, you are competing with other people. That means you have to stand out. So in a normal job search, the first thing you have to do is find out which companies are looking for people with your background. This may be a bit harder than it sounds.
The companies’ websites can be good sources of information. They tell you which departments and jobs they have and where. But they don’t tell you much about whether those jobs are being advertised or if they are hiring now.
Some companies use recruitment agencies, which specialize in finding people to fill jobs. The recruitment agencies, in turn, use databases of job vacancies. The databases can be great sources of information because job vacancies get posted online when they are available. But they are not perfect. Companies may not announce all their vacancies for one reason or another. So the databases have gaps.
Internet forums are also great sources of information. They let you talk to others who have similar interests, people who have solved similar problems, and people currently looking for similar jobs.
After you’ve found what you like – it’s time for step 2.
2. Options
At this point, you are developing a list of companies and organizations you might apply to. The list is a combination of things you know and things you know about!
Start by writing down:
- What you know. If you are currently in a job search, you have probably thought about some companies and organizations you would like to work for.
- What you have heard. You hear about companies from friends, family, your colleagues, and advertising.
- What you know about companies. You read about them in magazines, newspapers, and on the Internet.
- What you know about companies from your research. You may do some research on the company. For example, you may look up the company’s history, its current strategy, and its competitors.
- What you know from your friends, family, and colleagues.
- What you know from advertising. You may look at newspaper and magazine ads, or what is called “recruiting tools” – job-search websites, company brochures, and similar sources.
With this list, you’ll feel much more focused and determined as your wishes and thoughts will be more crystalized and career-oriented! After you get a clear picture of a place or places you’d like to work in, let’s get to the next step.
3. Strategy
The job market has changed, and the old rules no longer apply. With unemployment high, you need to have a good strategy, and for it, you can use the help of ResumeService24. The job search has become a matter of networking, and you have to make sure you leave a good first impression.
Networking involves making contacts with people, getting their names, and following up. Not just any contact will do. Most of the connections you’ll make most likely won’t be of any help to you. But it’s better to get an extra one than to miss out on an opportunity.
The simplest kind of networking is with individuals who already know you – colleagues, former classmates, friends from high school, family, and so forth. But you also need contact with people you don’t know. Often the best way to do this, at least at first, is with people who are in a position to hire you.
You can get this information through company directories, job listings, alumni directories, or professional associations. Initiating first contact is as easy as expressing your interest in the position – but you should not just keep it generic. The better you understand the company, the better you can personalize your message. And the more people who know you are interested, the better your chances.
Go through the list of possible useful contacts one by one. Cross out those that you have already reached out to. Keep adding new names to it. This is pretty repetitive work, but the results are very much worth it.
4. Patience and Consistency
The first rule of job hunting is to be patient. The chances of getting the first job you apply for are pretty slim. A job search can take weeks or even months to complete. And even if you find an opening relatively early on, you might want to consider skipping it for a better opportunity.
The second rule of job hunting is to be consistent. If you send out a few resumes and you give up if they return rejected – you’re not being consistent. Don’t let apparent failure get you down; sometimes you need to send over ten resumes before someone notices you – so get ready to do just that.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to backseat quarterback. But finding a perfect job for you is by no means an easy task. Some people spend their entire lives searching for the one occupation they would be able to consider their true calling.
However, that doesn’t mean there is no hope for you. You should understand when to compromise and settle. And at the same time, you should know when to pack up and move on. Be persistent, don’t be afraid to experiment. This will guarantee you employment. And as you hop from one job to another, you’ll eventually find your final destination.
