6 of the Best Job Hunting Tips to Get Hired
Ready to take control of your job search? Start applying these tips today and don’t forget to update your resume with our proven strategies; Transform Your Resume: 3 Key Updates to Land Your Dream Job
Job hunting is not easy at the best of times, especially during global pandemics or economic downturns. With these tough times, job hunting can be even more stressful and demoralising. If you now throw in all of life’s other challenges, such as parenting, sports activities, and it’s a wonder you have time for job hunting at all!
However, staying proactive and focused can significantly enhance your chances of success. In these trying periods, it’s crucial to adopt strategies that set you apart from the competition and help you effectively navigate the job market. I have detailed 6 of the best job hunting tips that you can do to hopefully make your job search a little easier. By following these job hunting tips, you can maintain momentum, build resilience, and increase your opportunities for landing a new job.
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1. Optimise Your LinkedIn and Resume to Stand Out and Get Hired
Love it or hate it, LinkedIn is still the go-to place for recruiters and would-be employers. Make sure you update your profile to include the most current information about you and your career. Paying particular attention to detailing the scale of your role (e.g. led a team of 30 or P&L responsibility for $20m), skills and accomplishments, as well as asking for recommendations from your network.
How to Use LinkedIn to Stand Out in Your Job Search
Optimise your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo, a compelling summary, and detailed job descriptions. You should also look to engage with industry-related content and connect with professionals in your field. Also, try to publish an original post, something that is relevant to your area of expertise or even better, something to help you get that new job. This will show potential employers that you have more to offer than other candidates. They will also get a clearer idea about you and how you could be the solution to why they are recruiting in the first place.
Turning on the Career Interests will let recruiters know you’re open to new job opportunities. You should then add in your preferred location, job titles and industries which help recruiters narrow down potential job options that they will present to you. This Career Interest feature is only open to recruiters and will not be visible to your current employer.
LinkedIn & your Resume work together
Updating your resume and LinkedIn profile is a crucial step in any job search, especially during difficult times. These tools serve as your digital first impression, showcasing your skills, experiences, and professional accomplishments to potential employers. A well-crafted, tailored resume and a polished LinkedIn profile together can significantly enhance your visibility and attractiveness in the job market. By ensuring that both are current and tailored to highlight your achievements, you can effectively communicate your value and increase your chances of landing the job you desire.
Stop Sending Generic Resumes, Tailor Every Application
- Customise your cover letter and resume for each job application, demonstrating key achievements and specifics in terms of scale of previous roles, e.g. increased revenue by 30%. Also, highlight specific experiences and skills that match the job description.
- Research the company and incorporate your findings into your application to demonstrate your genuine interest and fit for the role.
Feeling frustrated with your Job Search? How to Turn Job Search Frustration into Motivation
2. Why Taking Care of Your Wellbeing Helps Your Job Search
Job hunting and the job search can be particularly stressful, especially if you don’t have a role to go to or are unhappy in your current company. You need to pay particular attention to how you are feeling and your overall wellbeing. What I find helps is to get those closest to you to make you more aware of your actions, especially if they are hurting others around you.
If job hunting is getting you down, try scheduling some time out (put that in your calendar) to go for some exercise, go to the gym, take a yoga class, or take a leisurely walk around your local park. You can’t just rely on others, so you need to be more self-aware. Here I am talking about The Power of Self-Reflection: Unlocking Personal Growth, which is all about making time in your busy lives for yourself to focus (without distractions) on your behaviours, life goals and general state of mind, a chance to catch up with yourself.
When #jobhunting, you need to pay particular attention to how you are feeling Share on X3. Networking Tips to Build Connections and Land Your Next Job
Get out there and arrange face-to-face catch-ups/coffees/lunch with your network, friends and past colleagues. I would also speak to vendors you have been a customer of and those recruitment agents you trust. If you are no longer employed, then treat job hunting like a full-time job. It is hard work and results are not always immediate, but keep going, your face time with others will pay off. You can also ask your network for any job hunting tips.
Utilise your calendar to schedule meetings as part of your job search, as well as when to follow up on conversations and emails. Make sure you can access your calendar and email on your mobile device. That way, you never miss a meeting opportunity or email when you are on the go.
Also, try to attend as many online seminars, conferences or workshops as these are great places to network. These events are also an opportunity to pick up current and future trends, as well as how customers have deployed or used particular solutions, all helping you remain relevant.
If you are no longer employed, then treat #jobhunting like a full-time job; it's hard work and results are not always immediate, but keep going, it will pay off. Share on X4. Upskill to Stay Competitive and Stand Out in the Job Market
There are a number of ways to achieve this; volunteering can be a great way of expanding your skills and network. It can help fill in gaps in your resume, and give you a sense of giving back and helping others is just a good thing to do. If you don’t have a job to go to, volunteering is also a great way to keep busy and will help put life into perspective; it might even help your sense of wellbeing.
Take advantage of online courses and certifications to enhance your skill set. Platforms like Coursera, Stanford Online, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer valuable courses in various fields. Also, stay up to date with industry trends, such as AI, automation, Cybersecurity, Data and advancements. By continuously enhancing your skills, you can increase your employability and potentially open up new career opportunities.
5. Use Social Media to Boost Your Job Search and Personal Brand
You may just have to get a bit more creative in your job hunting so you can stand out from the crowd. Being active on social media will certainly help raise your profile to potential employees. By posting relevant content on platforms such as your blog, Medium, X or LinkedIn with well-constructed comments, you will also demonstrate your expertise and knowledge.
In today’s digital age, social media has become an invaluable tool for job hunting, not just for social interactions. They can be powerful assets in your professional arsenal when job hunting. Utilising social media effectively allows you to network with industry professionals, showcase your expertise, and stay informed about job opportunities and industry trends. By leveraging these platforms, you can enhance your job-hunting strategy, connect with potential employers, and create a strong online presence that reflects your professional and personal brand.
6. Be Prepared and Stay Focused to Land Interviews Faster
With lots going on, it is critical to stay organised by keeping track of the jobs you apply for, including details like application dates, contact information, and follow-up actions. I have used the trusty spreadsheet, but there are job-hunting apps available, such as Tealhq. Without being too desperate, it is always worth following up on applications with a phone call after a reasonable period. Persistence shows your enthusiasm and keeps you on the radar of potential employers.
Set Up Job Alerts to Never Miss a Great Opportunity
Be it LinkedIn, Monster, JobServe or Seek, there are a myriad of job boards to choose from. Make sure you set up automated email alerts for jobs that interest you, so you don’t miss out. Job boards are ok, but I would not use them as your main source of job hunting, you will be competing with 10s or even 100s of others when you apply. That’s why networking, along with LinkedIn and social media, are my three favourite job hunting tips.
Get the Tech Setup Right for the Virtual Job Interview
If you have a virtual job interview, familiarise yourself with common video conferencing tools like Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, or Skype. Ensure your technology works smoothly on your home computer. You will need a good camera, my go-to is a Logitech (click link to purchase) and speakers (click link to purchase). You will also need a big enough monitor (click link to purchase). I went for a 32″ curved screen. This is so you can have multiple tabs/browsers open. Personally, I don’t like using headphones for interviews, but that is a personal choice.
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Set Up a Professional Background for Virtual Job Interviews
For virtual interviews/meetings, ensure your environment is professional. I tend to have a blurred background, then it does not really matter what you have behind you. I would also recommend putting a note on the door of your room where you are set up for the interview so your family know not to disturb you (well, you can try at least).
Essential Job Interview Tips and Preparation Strategies
In-person job interviews (and virtual ones) are a crucial step in securing your desired position. They provide you with an opportunity to showcase your skills, personality, and fit for the role. Being well-prepared is essential to making a strong impression and increasing your chances of success. Among other things, you should arrive in plenty of time, have questions prepared and have thoroughly researched the company.
A more detailed list of job interview preparation activities can be found in another of my blog posts: 10 of the Best Job Interview Tips to Land Your Dream Job
Stay Positive and Keep Hustling to Land Your Dream Job
Job hunting during difficult times requires a strategic and proactive approach. By updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, actively networking, enhancing your skills through online courses, tailoring your applications, preparing thoroughly for interviews, and staying organised and persistent, you can navigate the challenging job market more effectively. These activities not only boost your visibility to potential employers but also demonstrate your commitment to professional growth and adaptability. With determination, a positive mindset and the right strategies, you can increase your chances of securing a desirable position. Even in tough economic times, you must look after your well-being.
So, how have you managed to make job hunting easier on you and your loved ones? Are there any other job hunting tips you can offer?
Job Hunting Tips – FAQs
What are the best job hunting tips to get hired fast?
Focus on tailoring your resume for each role, writing compelling cover letters, networking effectively (especially on LinkedIn), and preparing thoroughly for interviews. These steps help you stand out in a competitive job market.
How can I stand out when applying for jobs?
You can stand out by customising your application (both a covering letter and your resume) to each job, highlighting measurable achievements, and using keywords from the job description. I always follow up on my application, either with a phone call or a message on LinkedIn, and I find that way you are more memorable with the recruiter, and you can make sure they actually have your resume and have read it (not been rejected by an ATS)
Is it better to apply early when a job is posted?
Yes. Applying within the first 48 hours of a job being posted significantly increases your chances of being noticed, as recruiters often review early applications first. Though I always follow up on any application.
Needs some more creative job search strategies: 10 Top Job Search Strategies You Haven’t Tried Yet
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