There is a lot more to finding a job than just opening the paper every day and circling the jobs that catch your eye – so before you even open the paper, there are a few other things you need to do.
Your resume and cover letter have to be both up to date and flawless and be ready to send off to a potential employer at a moment’s notice. You also need to be very clear on exactly what it is you want in a job – or career, so, here are a few tips that will hopefully stop you running around in circles.
*Know what it is you want – so before you start sending out bulk e-mails to every advertised position you think is suitable just stop, Take some time to really think about what it is you really want and narrow your search down, this will save both you and the employers time. Make a list of what you are looking for – professionally and personally and only apply for jobs that match your experience, talents and priorities.
*Where to look – Many job opportunities can be found everywhere, so don’t limit yourself to the *traditional* methods. There are many outlets available including industry workshops, newspapers, online social networking sites, trade magazines, internet job-search websites, recruitment companies , so don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Divide your time by looking through advertisements, network both online and in person and keep in touch with recruitment agencies.
*Keep to a routine – treat job hunting as a job in itself – so set aside time to actively seek out opportunities , to attend interviews and to put in applications. You can also bump up your skills by attending courses to update old skills or to learn new ones. Doing temporary or volunteer work can help gain skills and the role may even turn into a permanent one.
*Stay Sane – Don’t expect to find your dream career in a few weeks – or even within a few months – you may need to tough it out for quite some time and this means building a *thick skin* and dealing with rejection. Don’t get too upset if you miss out; just tell yourself there is another opportunity just around the corner. Get support from your friends and family and remind yourself you are doing the best you can, look after yourself physically and mentally. It is important to have time away from the job hunting so don’t feel guilty when you take a little *down time*
*Be quick – the job market is not one where you can procrastinate – don’t take your time in replying to job ads – try and reply within 5 days of a position being listed. If you hear of a job coming up, pick up the phone and give the employer a call – many employers will *leap* at the first good candidate they see – so get yourself into gear early.
*Make a note – keep a record of the jobs you have applied for, the requirements, any interviews, contact people and their details.
*Knowing the right offers – good job hunting isn’t just about getting as many offers as you can, it’s about knowing what offers are right for you. After weeks or months of job searching and countless rejections getting that call that says you can start on Monday will have you wanting to jump over the moon. Take a moment to think back to when you first started looking for your dream job, have your goals changed? Ask yourself will you enjoy the work? Do you need to make any lifestyle changes? Is the salary fair? Are you suited to the company? If the answer is no – let the job hunt continue.
Do you have any other tips or advice to share? We would love to hear what you think.
