Tips On Taking Control Of The Job Hunting Process
Looking for a new job is always a daunting process. You spend days scouring classifieds and emailing your friends, writing cover letters, sending in resumes, and then wait eagerly to be reached for an interview. But after you’ve applied for dozens of positions without a single call back, even the most optimistic people find it hard not to start feeling discouraged.
Looking for a job isn’t an insurmountable obstacle, though. With the right strategy you can get back into the workforce soon.Here are a few ways you can take control of the job search and get ahead of the pack.
Tailor Your Resume To Fit The Job
Prospective employers are going to look at resumes from dozens if not hundreds of applicants. Creating an eye-catching resume that makes you stand out from the crowd is a real art, and employers want to see the experience you have that is relevant to the job. Your resume and cover letter should be designed to provide that information as quickly as possible. Make sure your resume is tailored to the specific criteria of the business and industry. Highlight the experiences that make you a good candidate for the position.
Remember, while the resume and cover letter should touch on the same material, they are complementary documents that don’t repeat too much of the same information. Instead, use the cover letter to provide commentary on why the work experience detailed in your resume makes you a good candidate for this particular job.
Look Online
No matter what industry you work in, the Internet is increasingly the best place to look if you want to find job postings. With thousands of new positions posted to websites like Kijiji every day, the chances of finding something in your area for which you have the right qualifications is high. And because applying online is much easier than mailing in a resume or dropping it off in person, you can dedicate more time to crafting a compelling application.
If you want to find your next job online it is important to stay on top of new postings. Because online job ads get more traction, the quicker you can respond, the better your odds of getting an application in before the window closes. Check back multiple times a day. Be ready to respond quickly if an appealing position opens up. That will drastically increases your odds of getting that all-important interview.
Don’t Become Fixated On Full-Time
In today’s gig economy, it’s no longer guaranteed that full-time work will materialize immediately. While moving from one salaried position to another might be ideal, a growing number of employers are opting to test potential hires out, either by offering short term contracts or by offering part-time hours.
Don’t feel you need to hold out for a full-time job. If you find something in your area that is short-term or part-time, it may be the first step toward a regular position. And even if it isn’t, it can help you cover expenses and bolster your resume while you keep looking. This is another area where looking at online postings can be helpful. A variety of opportunities for short term or project-based work are often posted on online marketplaces. They can provide a valuable entry-point to a workplace. And if you want to make the move to another industry, part-time work can be an excellent way to do so.
Be Flexible!
Finding a job that pays well and is personally rewarding can seem like a difficult prospect. But if the job hunt has you feeling discouraged, remember that there are more opportunities out there than you might think. Tailor your resume to the job qualifications. Stay up-to-date on online postings. And be flexible about how many hours you work. That will help you get back in the work force as soon as possible.
