8 Quick Tips to Get Hired Fast
Searching for a new job is no longer just about applying and waiting for a call. The job market is saturated — more than ever – with high-calibre candidates. This means you have to think smarter about your job seeking strategies. When you use a variety of strategies, you become an active participant in the process. The market is extremely competitive and these quick tips will help you beat your competition and get a job fast.
Read up, and learn how you can level up your job-getting game.
1. Treat your job search like full time job
Job postings are easy to access and it can be tempting to flip through sites while watching TV or waiting at an appointment. If you do it mindlessly, chances are you will miss a great opportunity. Keep yourself in work mode and set aside some time each day to focus on your search. When you find an opportunity you’re interested in, dig deep into the posting and check out the company culture. Check LinkedIn to discover if you have any connections to the company and reach out to ask questions. Invest in your future success by putting in the legwork necessary to ensure you apply for the right position, the first time.
2. Know what you’re looking for
Before you start looking, make a list of the opportunities you want from a new position. Equally important is a list of the things you don’t want. You are interviewing a potential company as much as they are interviewing you. Whether it’s opportunities for growth and promotion or the ability to work from home, knowing what you want from a position will help you identify the positions that are right for you.
3. Keep applying for jobs
You’ve been searching through job postings and you’ve finally found the perfect job — at least it sounds that way. By all means, apply, but don’t call off the search just because you feel excited about this one opportunity. Don’t stop applying until you’ve accepted a new position. This keeps your options open and you on the hunt until you accept a position.
4. Have your resume reviewed
If you’ve been out of the job search market for a while – or even if you’re relatively experienced — consider having your resume professionally written. You hire professionals in other areas of your life; if you’re committed to growing your career, it makes sense to do it in the context of your career. This is your chance to have a stand-out resume which showcases your career achievements and communicates what makes you different to other candidates.
5. Never use a generic cover letter
Your cover letter is your first introduction to the company and you want to make a good impression. Using their job posting, tailor your cover letter to highlight your qualifications. Remember to do your research so you know why you’re a good fit for the company culture, and include this in your cover letter.
6. Update your LinkedIn profile
If you haven’t visited your profile for while, this is the perfect time to take a look. Update your page to include career achievements, volunteer work and to strengthen your personal brand. It’s a platform to showcase yourself as an expert in your industry. Publish some articles relevant to challenges and changes in your industry and also share articles written by other leaders. When a potential employer views your profile, they will find an active and updated page that showcases your expertise and unique point of value.
7. Catch up with your network
Your network may turn out to be the most valuable tool in your job search arsenal. These are the people you’ve collaborated with, mentored and maybe competed with in your industry. In addition to applying for jobs, it’s important to let these key people know you are actively searching for new opportunities. They may have knowledge of open or upcoming opportunities or useful advice for your search. It’s important to constantly keep up with your network so that you’re able to tap into it when you really need it.
8. Brush up on your interview skills
An actor would never take the stage without rehearsing their lines – and neither should you. Once you’ve scheduled the interview, find a colleague or hire a professional interview coach to run an interview rehearsal with you. Many interviews include standard candidate questions, so it’s important to know how to answer them in a way that impresses recruiters and hiring managers. Go back to your research of the company and be prepared to talk about the synergy between you and the company and how you see yourself helping them achieve new business goals.
Bonus tip – send a thank you note!
The “Thank You” note is a lost art, but can make all the difference in securing the job. Before the interview, ask who you will be meeting with and be prepared to write the note immediately after the meeting. Ideally, you want to have them in the mail as soon as possible. Be sure to inject some personal notes about the interview. Did you connect on a particular issue? Do they have a big launch coming up? Make the note personal while thanking them for their time and the opportunity to meet.