Job Hunting Tips to Help You Land a Job
The job search can seem like a full-time job in itself. It takes dedication and consistency to go through the application and interview process and find the right job. But the reward is worth the effort! When you finally land a great job, you’ll be glad you did what you had to get where you want to be. Just starting your search? Here are 6 surefire job hunting tips that can help you get noticed in all the right ways by the right kind of employers.
1. Update Your Resume
Your resume is the cornerstone of your application. It shows employers, at a glance, what qualifications you have and if you’re a good fit for the job description. Update your resume to include your most recent work experience, your education, skills you’ve acquired, certifications you may have, and your current contact information. Organize it so your work experience and education are at the top. Use a professional-looking font such as Times New Roman or Arial and keep it consistent throughout the document. Also make sure your resume includes keywords that can help it pass through an initial computer scan. For example, if you work in nursing, a scanner may look for certain skills or abilities such as “patient care” or “triage.” If you don’t have them—and list them on your resume—you could be out of luck.
2. Create a Job Search Routine
If you want to land a job, you need to spend time searching and applying for open opportunities. Set aside time each day—it can be as few as 10 minutes or as much as two hours. Create a schedule to stay organized. For example, you might use your time on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to look through new listings, and spend time on Tuesdays and Thursdays filling out applications. This consistency will help you find good opportunities, weed out jobs you wouldn’t want, and catch new listings as quickly as they’re posted. Sometimes being the first in line shows that you’re eager and on top of your game.
3. Tailor Your Cover Letter
Make sure to customize your cover letter for the position. Employers want to know that you want to be considered for their job, not just any job. Be sure to read through the job posting carefully to see what the job entails and what skills the company prefers in a candidate. Then think about how your experience fits what they’re looking for. You don’t have to meet every single qualification, but your cover letter should be able to explain how your skills and abilities match up with the position.
4. Create a LinkedIn Profile
A LinkedIn profile is a good way to get noticed, and it’s also a great tool to help you search for jobs. Once you create a profile, you can access the jobs posted by employers and apply to them with your profile. You can also connect with people in the industry you’d like to work in, as well as former co-workers, supervisors, and advisors. The more people you connect with, the more visible you become. You can also ask your LinkedIn network to stay on the lookout for you for open job opportunities.
5. Look in All the Right Places
Run a Google search and it’s easy to find job boards like Indeed, Monster, and ZipRecruiter with plenty of job listings. Those sites are a good start. Get into the habit of checking them every day. You’ll start to notice that some jobs are listed on multiple sites. Which one consistently provides you with the kind of job search results that match what you want? Frequent it more often. But don’t stop there. Also think of where you want to work. Maybe there’s a healthcare facility in the next town over. Check out its job listings. Or is there a company you’ve always wanted to work at? Check out its website and look through the careers section. Not only will you see the jobs; you can also find out who works there. Maybe you know some of them.
6. Practice for Interviews
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but you can ease your worries with a little bit of practice. Take the time to prepare bullet points for common interview questions such as “What are your strengths and weaknesses,” and “What makes you a good fit for this job?” Since many interviews now take place over Zoom, practice answering questions in a mock Zoom interview. You can do this by yourself or with a friend or family member. This way, you can become familiar with the digital setting and check how you look on camera. You can adjust your lighting, positioning, and background well ahead of time, so you look professional during the interview.
Another great way to get noticed by employers is to have the right skills. If you’re ready to train for a new career, contact Charter College today. We offer a variety of programs in Business, Health Care, Information Technology and some of the Trades. Fill out the form today to learn more.