Searching for a new job can be stressful and overwhelming. But with some guidance and direction, it doesnāt have to be. When looking for a new job, it is important to remember the following:
- Job finding apps are extremely helpful
- Updating your business profile is essential
- You must network with professionals in your industry
- Never give up, even when the process gets frustrating
Start your career and get a new job now with these insightful tips.
Find A New Job With Search Apps And Tools
Job hunting happens almost exclusively online nowadays. Make sure you are looking in the right places.
Job searching websites likeĀ Indeed,Ā Monster, and evenĀ CraigslistĀ are excellent places to begin. All of these search engines have downloadable applications for your phone, so you can look for a job wherever you are.
- Jobs by CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder is one of the most commonly used websites for career seekers. However, if doing something on a mobile platform is more your speed, then you just so happen to be in luck. CareerBuilder has a rather user-friendly mobile app that allows you to both search and apply to almost 2 million jobs at any time of the day or night. It is a free to use app that can be used on both iPhone and Android.
You do not need a CareerBuilder account to use the app. All you need to do is to upload your resume from your Google+ or Dropbox account and begin your job search. You can keep track of and view your job-search history, view other applicantsā education levels and years of experience, and save jobs you have found for later. You may also be recommended jobs and be alerted when your application has been received and looked at.
- Snagajob
If you are looking for something that is more along the lines of hourly work in retail, restaurant, or customer-service industries, then Snagajob is the app for you. Like CareerBuilder, Snagajob is primarily a website, but it has an easy and free to use mobile app as well.
The app allows you to narrow down your search results by location, type, and other criteria. You may also view an integrated map that will show you the exact location of every job. If you find a position that you want, save it for a different time, or apply right now in the app. You could also sign up for email alerts to be notified when a new job opportunity opens.
- LinkedIn Job Search
For those who were not already aware, LinkedIn is essentially the professionalās version of Facebook. It is a social network all about making professional connections. This includes job hunting. LinkedIn also has a free mobile app that will let you search for job positions in your interested industry and then sort them by salary, date posted, and other criteria. You may apply directly on the app with your LinkedIn profile when you find a listing you are interested in. The app will display jobs to you that are based on your past search criteria and your profile information. It will also tell you when a relevant position is posted near you.
- ZipRecruiter Job Search
ZipRecruiter is a simple to use free app that makes it easy for you to get ahead of the competition out there by allowing you to set up personalized job notifications when new ones have been posted. You could then immediately apply to those jobs without having to get on a computer. Like CareerBuilder, you may upload your resume from your Google+ or Dropbox account, or even import it from LinkedIn.
- Indeed
Indeed has expanded from just a website into a free to use mobile app. You may find all kinds of jobs there based on what industry you want to work in, salary, location, and other criteria. It groups thousands of listings from online job boards, newspaper classifieds, and company career pages.
You may also set up email alerts that notify you when new jobs pop up in a category you are interested in. When you find a job that interests you, you may apply on your desktop, save it for later, or attach your resume to your personal account so you could apply directly from the app.
- Monster
Monster is a job search site that expanded into the world of free to use mobile apps as well. Like many of its competitors, you may browse job boards to look for new openings based on whatever criteria you input. You do need to have a Monster account in order to use it, but you will be able to access your resumes, your cover letters, and any job applications that you have previously submitted. It also includes the ability to be notified of new listings.
Keep Your Job Search Focused When Looking For A New Job
There are so many jobs outs there, it can be tempting to try your chances with them all. The more jobs you apply for the easier it will be to get one, right? Wrong.
Applying to every single job you come across is just a waste of your time. You will clutter your inbox with updates from jobs you are not really interested in, and you might miss an opportunity in the sea of application responses.
Instead, focus your search to specific jobs in your desired field. Put your effort towards applying for fewer jobs you are more qualified for. That is how you turn a job into your career.
Use āadvanced searchesā to look for jobs that are near your home, or at least in a location you wouldnāt mind commuting to every day. Distance from your home may not seem like a big deal during the job searching process, but if it becomes a part of your everyday routine you certainly will care.
Build Your Online Presence To Attract Potential Employers
Your online presence is a virtual representation of your business self. Typically, an employerās first impression of you comes from your professional profiles online. Make them look good.
Websites likeĀ Wix,Ā Weebly, andĀ WordPressĀ allow you to create your own personal website for free. Creating a website for yourself is a fantastic way to showcase your unique personal brand. You can include links to any online projects you have worked on, photos of any other assignments you are proud of, a few photos of yourself, and of course your resume.
Potential employers can get a feel for your personality, work experience, and business potential from a well-made website.
Another great way to build your online presence is through the business networking site,Ā LinkedIn. LinkedIn is where many business professionals go to communicate with one another and to find recommendations for potential employees. Create a profile and keep it up to date with all your past and current professional projects, assignments, and endeavors.
Having a developed personal website could prompt an employer to skip that awkward recruiting phone screen conversation and move straight to requesting an in-person interview.
Network with Your Contacts to Land a New Job
Now that you have cultivated your online presence, it is time to do something with it. Communicate with the professionals in your field. You donāt always have to talk about available jobs though, you can discuss any news in your industry or anything else professionally appropriate. LinkedIn is not the platform to discuss the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal or Justin Bieberās latest remix.
Attending events is another terrific way to network with professionals in your industry. An advertising seminar may seem like a pretty boring way to spend a Saturday, but if that is your desired field, you might just find the next step in your career. If not, you will undoubtedly gain insightful information that you can pull out in your next interview. Employers will be impressed that you are dedicated enough to attend these kinds of events.
Always Have Your Resume and Cover Letter Ready
Update your resume every couple of months or so. But, avoid a laundry-list.
You resume should not just be a list of all the places you have worked. A resume like that is sure to get a glance and a quick pass from a potential employer.
Instead, fill your resume with your skills, any problems you have solved in the workplace, and any recognition or promotions you may have earned. This is much more informative of your professional self than a list of locations.
As for your cover letter, you want to tailor each one for the job you are applying for. Create a template with your name and contact information, and the basic outline of your cover letter. Remember, your cover letter should be relatively short, so you canāt include all your qualifications and achievements.
Rather, pick which specific qualifications fit best with the job you are applying for, and include just those in your cover letter. You may be able to type 70 words per minute, but this would be more useful to know when applying for a writing job than for an advertising job.
Practice Your Interview Skills
Beat the pre-interview nerves by feeling prepared. Before you have a job interview, anticipate the questions they are going to ask you. You interviewer will most likely ask questions like: what are your strengths and weaknesses? Why do you want to work for their company? And, what are your more unique skills?
Have a few stories or anecdotes prepared that highlight your skills, strengths, and problem-solving skills. Telling your interviewer about how you created a filing system for your office will demonstrate your organization skills better than you simply saying you are an organized person.
When you anticipate what your interview will be like, you can better prepare yourself. This will make you less nervous and more confident in your interview, setting you apart from the rest of the jittery applicants.
Research the Company Before an Interview
Before you go on an interview, find some information about the company. What is their core mission? Has anything new happened with the company lately? What do their strengths and challenges seem to be?
Think about how the company relates to your personal work ethic or values. You will definitely impress your interviewer when you comment on the increase in the companyās stock market value, or how the companyās mission to provide excellent customer service corresponds with your belief that people should always come first.
Find a way to incorporate your professional personality with the core values of the company. How can they not hire you when you are such a perfect fit for the business?
Follow-up After an Interview
After your interview is over, send the person who interviewed you an email thanking them for their time. This is also a perfect time to throw in any work samples of references you didnāt include earlier in the application process.
Say something like, āHi Mr./Miss [Interviewer], I wanted to thank you for your time today. It was a pleasure speaking with you. I have also included another writing sample and reference. Thanks again!ā Keep your message short and simple.
It might seem like overkill, but the person who gave your interview has probably gone through the same process with dozens of other people. You want to do everything you can to stand out.
Donāt Stop Applying for Jobs
While you should narrow your job search to openings in your industry, you should not limit the number of jobs you apply for in your desired field.
Do not expect to hear back from every job you apply for. Most places will only contact you if they want to schedule an interview. For every 10 jobs you apply for, you can expect to hear back from maybe 2 or 3.
Donāt give up and keep on going! Eventually you will land a job in your field. It may take some hard work and dedication, but in the end your career is always worth it.
