When was the last time you made a career change? It’s definitely not something most people do regularly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in a 35-year career, you’ll likely have about a dozen jobs – and a lot can change in the world of job searching, even in just a year or two. So if you’re feeling the urge or need to make a move, you might want to brush up on some job search tips. Here are five tips for finding a job that will be both professionally and personally fulfilling.
1. Network, Network, Network – Then Network Some More
If you’re serious about getting a new job, networking is the single most important job search tip because it’s the most powerful and frequent way that people land that next opportunity.
Networking doesn’t only mean all the colleagues in your professional circle. Family, friends, acquaintances, your hairdresser or barber, your kids’ friends’ parents, the clerk at your coffee shop, someone you’ve just met at a wedding reception – networking means everyone. Every person you encounter might be able to help or might know someone who can help.
So don’t be shy, embarrassed, or hesitant. If you want to find a job, your next employer has to know that you’re on the market. And don’t worry – you don’t have to lead with the fact that you need a job if that’s not comfortable. Instead, try asking what the person is seeing in the job market and let it evolve into a discussion about potential opportunities.
2. Be Active on Social Media
A key online job search tip is to turn to social media – starting with LinkedIn. Make sure your profile is up-to-date and matches your resume. Include your niche specialty and key terms that people who want someone with your skillset will use when searching…otherwise, this particular job search tip may fizzle out for you.
Next, unless you are concerned it could put your current position at risk, enable the “Open to Work” feature so anyone who sees your profile knows that you’re on the market.
Another critical tip for finding a job is to expand your network. Join LinkedIn groups in your field where every member will receive a notification about postings you make and where you can see what other experts in your industry are talking about. Make sure you’re signed up for alerts so you’re aware of group posts.
Then check out other social media platforms, such as Indeed and even Twitter or Facebook, and use each site’s features to expand your search even further.
3. Get On Board with Job Board Sites
Another tried-and-true job search tip is to keep an eye on job boards, advertisements, and even the daily news for items relevant to your professional interests.
Again, it makes sense to start with LinkedIn job postings. You can customize alerts for job titles, geographic areas, and other elements that are important to you. Check them out every day, and set up alerts so you don’t miss anything. But don’t stop there. You also need to be perusing and setting up alerts on Indeed, Monster, industry organizations in your field, state and local job search sites, career sites on the websites of companies you’re interested in… anywhere you can find people sharing job openings.
After you follow those online job search tips, it’s time to get creative. Don’t just scroll past the ads on those sites – take the time to read them. If a company is advertising on a job site, it’s probably growing, and that growth could include jobs that are a fit for you.
Do the same thing with online newspapers and business periodicals. A company that’s making news is a company that’s worth researching because that news could lead to more opportunities. Good news can mean potential jobs to come. Even bad news can create openings in the future.
4. Recruit an Executive Recruiting Firm
Teaming up with an executive recruiting firm is a smart idea and should be one of your top job search tips. A reputable firm will go through your background to get a thorough understanding of who you are and what you want, then work on a target list of opportunities. It’s the same thing you should be doing on your own but with the added benefit of experience and expertise in all the latest strategies and tips for finding a job.
The recruiter will also prep you for every interview, making sure you are well-versed not only in the names and titles of the people you will meet, but their personalities and the culture of their workplace. Armed with those insights, you’ll be able to gain the confidence and comfort to shine in your interview.
Not all executive recruiting firms are alike, though. Do your homework, and determine what type of firm you want to have represent you, and who recruits people like you. See if you’re connected with any of the firm’s recruiters on LinkedIn. Check out their backgrounds, their skills, and how long they’ve been recruiting. It may sound like a lot of work, but it’s critical to find the right individual to represent you and find the kind of job that pays off all the tips for finding a job you’ve been studiously following.
5. Develop a Target List of Companies
When you’re thinking about job search tips, remember that if you’re going to score your dream job, you have to know what your dream job is. Consider industry and position, for sure, but don’t forget location, benefits, the potential for remote work, culture, stability – anything that is attractive to you in an employment opportunity.
Then, track down companies that check those boxes. Here’s a tip for finding a job that you might not have heard about before. Check out the National Association of Industry Classifications (NAICS), find the code that’s relevant to your industry, and contact your library for access to business databases where you can search by geography and NAICS codes. Voila – you’ll suddenly have a whole new list of companies to consider. Now, the real research begins. Go to the company websites to see if these are the types of businesses where you’d want to get involved. If you’re interested, setting up job alerts on their career sites is one of the most effective (and overlooked) job search tips.
When you wake up tomorrow, do it all again. Perhaps the most important of all the job search tips is that job searching isn’t something that you do once and then set aside. Companies change all the time. Opportunities open up when you least expect them. As you’re having your morning coffee or taking an afternoon break, keep researching and keep networking to stay abreast of what’s going on out there and where you could fit in. Your job search needs to happen seven days a week, 365 days a year. It sounds like a lot, but once you have a great job, you’ll know why pursuing it with ongoing passion is one of our best tips for finding a job.
6. Job Fairs Are Worth Your Attention
One of the best job-hunting tips that many people overlook is using a job fair to find work. You might hesitate to go to one of these fairs because you are looking for a very specialized job. However, keep in mind that nothing prevents you from applying to various jobs online while also checking out what is available at the local job fair.
The built-in advantage of these local fairs is that they let you see if you can make a personal connection with the recruiter and any management who might be present. In our digital world, there aren’t as many opportunities to actually get in a room and win people over. If you’re a real “people person,” then you may be able to dazzle someone in person in a way that you just can’t do online.
Incidentally, don’t automatically assume that these fairs are only good for finding lower-level work. Because such fairs are great ways to network while establishing yourself in the community, regularly attending these fairs is secretly one of the best executive job tips. Even if such a position isn’t immediately open, each fair is your chance to win over those who may eventually need talents like yours for upper management.
7. The Art of the Follow-Up
All of the job search tips above can help you find some great jobs to apply to. However, our best tips for finding a job don’t end at simply applying for the jobs of your dreams. In order to improve your chances of getting a job after the interview, you need to master the art of the follow-up.
After you complete an interview, you need to send a follow-up email to the person (or persons) you spoke with. The email should express your gratitude for the opportunity to interview and restate your interest in the job. When the potential employer realizes how much you enjoyed speaking with them, they become that much likelier to hire you for the position because you are already exhibiting the kind of passion they want from an employee.
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Find the Best Job Today!
Now you know the best tips for job searching. But do you know where you can find someone who is equally committed to helping you find your dream job?
Here at Daley And Associates, we understand that we’ll never be the best unless we hire the best. That’s why we’re looking for talented workers just like yourself. To take your first step towards joining one of the best teams in the world, come check out our job openings today!
