Ways to Improve Your Job Search Success

Ways to Improve Your Job Search Success Ways to Improve Your Job Search Success Searching for a new job can get frustrating, even a bit discouraging. You spend weeks scrolling through job listings and sending out your resume with little success. You’re not getting calls for interviews or you’re not finding many postings worth applying. Then you start wondering what you’re doing wrong. First, accept that it may take time, longer than you expect. Secondly, there could be factors in the industry or market posing challenges such as tons of applicants for fewer positions. And third, maybe there’re some things you can do to improve your job search success. It may be time to take a fresh look at your materials and processes. Try the things below to reboot your job-hunting efforts. Search Often.  Some recruiters may get dozens of applications and resumes online within a day of posting a new opening. Search frequently so you don’t miss great opportunities. Get your resume in the first batch they see. Set up alerts for job titles in your area so you can see them soon after they’re posted. Focus.  Focus your search on the jobs for which you have the most interest and qualifications. Cast a narrow net but don’t get hung up on strict job titles.  Here are   tips to get hired in the digital age. Get Organized.  Searching for a new job can feel like a full-time job itself. So why not approach it with the same type of preparation and planning. If you’re serious about finding a new job, you can’t just check Indeed once in a while. You need to commit serious time and effort to this search. Set aside time each day devoted to job searching. By segmenting and organizing various tasks, you lessen the load and boost your job searching skills. Create folders for the versions of your cover letters and resumes and a spreadsheet and folders of the companies you research. Network for Referrals.  One of the best ways of getting to the top of the application pile is networking and cultivating referrals. Social media and LinkedIn are great for this. Talk to people in the industry. Join discussions and keep your eyes open for potential job openings. Join relevant professional associations. Networking and recruiting is part of the reason these organizations exist. Meet and develop relationships with professionals, laying the groundwork for when there is an open position. It’s a good way of getting your foot in the door. Go Beyond the Internet.  By some estimates, only about 30% of job vacancies are posted online. A lot of people hear about job openings through the grapevine offline. They know someone in the company who gives them advanced notice of an opening or put in a good word for them. Get out there in the real world and mingle with people in the industry. You never know what you’ll find. Volunteer, join face-to-face networking groups, and attend seminars. Research Your Target Companies.  Develop a list of companies you’d like to work for and then research them. Contact a company and ask if you could send them your resume. They may hold on to it for up to a year even if there’re currently no openings. Improve Your Web Presence.  With the prevalence of online recruiting, personal branding has become more important. Recruiters are searching professional sites looking for the next top candidate, so make it easy to find you. Become more visible to employers you want to attract; follow companies and organizations, interact with other members, and join groups. More employers these days are looking at the social media pages of job applicants. Update your information and professional looking profile pictures on all the platforms. Perfect your LinkedIn profile: Review and update every section, add more information and proficiency, and use the tools available.