Looking for a job can be challenging, especially in today's competitive job market. It can be frustrating to send out numerous resumes without a response, but there are ways to increase your chances of finding the right job. In this blog post, we will discuss how to search for a job effectively.
Define Your Goals
Before you start your job search, it's essential to determine what kind of job you're looking for. Consider your skills, experience, and interests, and use them to narrow down your job search. Be realistic about what you want and what you're willing to do to achieve your goals.
Ask Yourself The Four “w’s.”
Who - Knowing who you want to work around and with is essential because these are people you will be around a lot! Who do you want to work with as colleagues and clients? Who do you want to lead you?
What - What do you see yourself doing? You must narrow down what you're looking for in a job. Do you want to help people? How? By offering mental health services? Legal services? Financial guidance? What content will you work with? Data? Research? Physical items?
Where - Knowing the setting you want to work in is as important as who you are with and what you are doing. Where do you envision yourself working? Are you alone or with others? Does the space have an open office design, or do you need doors to work? For healthcare workers, location matters significantly. Are you in a hospital, a rehabilitation center, or a smaller clinic? Are you working as a nurse or doctor, a salesperson, or in leadership roles within the healthcare system? As they say in real estate: Location, location, location!
Why - Once you’ve answered the first 3, you must consider your “why” behind the answers. Why did you say you want to work in a highly interactive space? Why do you want to work with the people groups you listed? Thinking about your “why” will help you find meaning in your new job.
Create a Targeted Resume
Your resume is your first impression on potential employers, so make sure it stands out. Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for, highlighting your relevant skills and experience. Use keywords that match the job description to help your resume get noticed by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Network
Connect with people you have worked with in the past. These individuals will know what you are capable of and can endorse your work. Having someone who knows your skills and talents can go a long way in receiving an endorsement and landing an initial interview. These people may be working at your dream company, or they may be able to recommend you to a different place.
Use Online Job Boards
Numerous job boards are available, such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor, that you can use to search for jobs. Set up job alerts to receive notifications that match your criteria when new jobs are posted. Ensure your profile is current and complete, as recruiters often use LinkedIn to find potential candidates.
Refine Your Search
Gone are the days when you could search for a job by title. Job titles may vary from company to company, and you could miss out on great jobs because your search is too narrow.
Search “job openings in (your field of interest).” Use this to research your career field. Learn what titles are used frequently and what skills and qualifications are commonly needed. While doing this, you can decide what companies, job titles, and roles align with your 4 W’s.
Talk to people in similar roles. LinkedIn is a great spot to connect with people who are working your dream job. You can introduce yourself and explain why you are reaching out. “Hi, I’m (your name), and I am beginning a career change. I was hoping you could give me some information on (career field of interest) and how you got your job, what your job is like day to day, and anything you love about this job. I am looking for advice from people in the field so that I can make an informed decision.”
Do this with MANY jobs. Don’t just find one job within a field. Look at many different positions. Compare and contrast these jobs. What do you love about one and hate about another? Does one seem to check more of your boxes than another? Does one seem to be the dream job but have a lot of things you don’t like after talking to someone in the position?
It is essential that you don’t narrow your search too much by just searching for job titles. Get creative, and use your 4 W’s to help you do more research on different positions you could fill.
Searching for a job can be daunting, but with the right approach, you can increase your chances of success. Remember to stay positive and persistent; you'll soon land the job you've been searching for. Good luck!
