You can approach your job search in many different ways and achieve various levels of “success.” We understand success in the context of a job search to be not only how long it takes you to land a job, but also whether you have landed a job that is a good fit for who you are. Following are some job search tips to help you in your journey:
- Know Yourself
- Know What You Want
- Work Hard and Smart to Get There
Know Yourself
Of all the job search tips, this is a central one as it will impact what you do. It is important for you to know yourself because knowing yourself will give you confidence when comes the time for you to sell yourself. When you apply for a job, you do a sales pitch. The single objective of this sales pitch is to sell yourself as the best candidate for the position.
The first step in selling anything is to know what you are selling. You may think that you know yourself, but do you really? What if you are not the person that you think you are? What if you downplay your strengths or overplay your weaknesses? Even if you think that you know yourself well enough, can you describe yourself to others?
Brainstorm. Look at yourself from different angles. Write down what goes through your mind. Don’t worry if it makes sense or not. That’s not the purpose of brainstorming. The purpose of brainstorming is to let things out. Brainstorming is meant to be chaotic. Brainstorm along these lines:
- What is your education? What jobs did you hold? What were your responsibilities? What did you accomplish? What other qualifications do you have?
- How do you see yourself? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? How do you stand out?
- How do others see you? What strengths do others see in you? What weaknesses do others see in you? How do you stand out in their eyes?
Be as detailed as possible. Take a few days to brainstorm. Revisit what you wrote to make sure it’s complete.
Now that you have brainstormed, connect the dots. When you look at what you wrote, what stands out? Make sense of your thoughts. Organize the information.
Be true to yourself. Being true to yourself will allow you to speak with conviction.
Know What You Want
Job searching is a journey that will take you from where you are to where you want to be. You don’t have a lot of choices in terms of your current circumstances. You are where you are. However, you can choose your destination. How you define your destination can be as wide-ranging as “finding a job” to “finding a job that you like, in an industry that you like, working for a company that you like.” Don’t sell yourself short.
Look towards the future:
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What do you hate doing?
- What leaves you indifferent?
- What do you want to do to earn a living?
- What positions interest you?
- What industries interest you?
- What companies interest you?
- What are you looking for in a work setting?
- Are you open to relocating?
Revisit the past:
- What aspects of your prior employment did you enjoy?
- What aspects of your prior employment didn’t you like?
- If you were fired from your prior position or were let go, revisit what happened. Did you do something wrong?
- How can you change going forward?
This second aspect of the job search process is important because you will articulate your goal. This will allow you to visualize your objective and set a path for yourself.
Work Hard and Smart to Get There
Once you know your destination, you are ready to embark on your journey. There are five roadblocks ahead.
- Finding job openings (visit the Networking Section).
- Applying to those job openings (visit the Cover Letter Section and the Resume Section).
- Attending the job interview (visit the Interview Section).
- Following-up after the job interview.
- Evaluating the job offer.
The road to landing a job will not be easy. You will face rejection, but don’t take it personal. A rejection is only a failure is you don’t learn from it. Also, although your application may be rejected a few times, it could be that you will end up refusing job offers that come your way also. Two things to take out of this: (1) “your application” may be rejected, not you; and (2) you are in control, don’t feel helpless.
The above job search tips are just there to get you started in the right direction. We have a wide array of resources to help you in your journey to a better future. If for some reason you cannot find what you are looking for, use the search box. Your answer might be hiding somewhere. Also, please feel free to write to us and suggest topics that you would like to see added to WorkAlpha.
Good luck in your job search and believe in yourself.
Articles giving job search tips:
- Outstanding Grades VS Outstanding Personality
- How to Find Your Next Job
- BANG: Here’s How to Get a Job
- Business Cards for the Unemployed
- Replace Outdated Job Search Techniques With Ones That Work
- How to Remove Competition for Your Next Job
- How to Shorten Your Job Search
- Job Search Strategy to Get a Job by Spending Few Hours Wisely in a Day
- How to Find Jobs That Do Not Require Your Major
- How to Compete in Today’s Job Market
- Networking While in Transition Is the Key to Success
- Thinking of Getting a Job?
- The Expert Landing Principles
- Resume + Interview = A Job
- Job Search Tips for the Shy and Timid
- 6 Keys to a Successful Job Search
- How to Decode Online Job Postings
Articles on background checks:
Articles on discrimination:
- The Older Job Seeker: Strategies for Deflating the Ageism Myth
- Older Job Seekers Are Being Rejected
- Age Discrimination Is Not Based on Age
- Confronting Aging and Work-Related Issues
- How to Avoid Age Discrimination
Articles giving insights on the job search process:
- Insights Into What Hiring Managers Look For (6 Surprising Things)
- Are Employers Always Right?
- Decoding the Perfect Online Marketing Program
- What Changed for Job Seekers the Last Few Years
- How Important Is a Portfolio of Your Past Work?
- How Hiring Decisions Are Made
- Finding a Job Is a Nonsport Competition
- Do You Want a Job or the Right Job?
- By Using Professionals When in Job Search Can Speed Up Your Process
- Staying Informed Is Critical When You’re Unemployed
- Why Use Social Media While in Transition?
- What to Do When You’ve Just Lost Your Job
- How to Find a Job in This Job Market
- The Long-Term Unemployed: Can They Do Better?
- The Psychology of Finding a Job
- What the Unemployed One Percenters Do
Articles on how to make a good impression:
- How Not to Disappoint—Especially When You’re Unemployed
- You Have to Discover Yourself First Before Presenting Yourself to Others
Articles on personal branding:
- 3 Tips for Building Your Personal Brand
- Personal Brand Management: The Secret to Career Mobility
- Personal Branding and Your Resume
- The Importance of Personal Branding
- Developing Your Personal Brand
- Building a Brand that Sells YOU to the Market
- Step 1 in Building a Personal Brand (Yes You Need One)
Articles on relocation:
Articles on standing out:
- Follow-Up After You Send Your Resume
- Incorporate an Element of Surprise in Your Job Search Application
- How to Keep Track of Your Accomplishments by Creating a Folder of Your Successes
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