Finding, searching for, and landing a job is not easy and can be quite intimidating if you are new to the job market. There’s nearly one job opening for each unemployed person, according to the latest government data.
Hunting for a job requires skills and sometimes a strategy, especially if you’ve been in your current job for several years- sounds intimidating, right? Don’t worry we have you covered and will help you conquer your job hunt.
We’ve created an easy guide, filled with detailed information on everything you need to know about how to leverage yourself to effectively land the job in 2019. Let’s get started!
✔️Optimize Your Professional Brand
Many job seekers think that the resume accounts for the bulk of landing a new job. This is FALSE! Many experts say there are so many more factors to consider especially since we live in such a digital world. Job searchers can’t click “apply” 30 times in one day without a strategy.
Resumes are important, and you need to have a strong one, but there is more to a successful job hunt, like creating and maintaining a professional brand online. A professional brand showcases your past experiences, who you are, what you do, your habits, attitudes, core values, and where you’re headed. “Branding today is as much about consistently delivering on your promise as it is about differentiation. You have to position yourself in unique ways in order to stand out from others. You have to meet all of the subconscious expectations and go beyond the mundane to truly impress.”
You can leverage your professional brand on many social media channels and use it to demonstrate what your resume can’t. LinkedIn is a major playing field for recruiters, so make sure your profile is complete and up to date.
Networking on social media is something to take advantage of as well. You can foster long-term relationships with potential mentors, partners or employers. This can help you to develop your skill set, stay current on the latest industry trends and stand out from others in the applicant pool.
✔️ Update Your Resume
You have a short amount of time for your resume to make a great impression because according to a study released by TheLadders, an online job-matching service, recruiters spend an average of six seconds reviewing a resume.
When you do start submitting resumes, make sure each one is tailored for that specific job.
Your resume needs to be easy to read by including header sections, concise information, and simple lists. Include relevant information and order your resume by the information that you want to spotlight first, depending on where you are in your career. This will allow hiring managers or recruiters to quickly scan your resume for the qualifications they are looking for.
✔️ Have a Job Search Strategy
When searching and applying for a job you need to have a strategy. Focus on what you want out of a job, where you want to work and why? Finding the right job won’t happen overnight-an October survey shows that a job search can take about five months on average.
When searching for a job, visit and read several review sites to learn what current employees and past employees are saying about the work environment, culture, leadership and more. There are many popular employer review sites you can take advantage of such as Glassdoor and Indeed. According to Glassdoor, 83% of job seekers are likely to research company reviews when applying for a job. Take reviews into consideration, but don’t let them be the determining factor on applying for a job.
✔️ Master the Interview
The interview can make or break the decision to hire you. The only secret we have to successful nailing an interview is to PREPARE. Being prepared will boost your confidence and make the interview process less nerve-racking.
Do your research and learn EVERYTHING you can about the company. You can do this by going on their company website, scroll through their social media profile pages. Try to discover who their competitors are and understand their similarities and differences. Prepare at least 3-5 questions to ask the hiring manager/interviewer based on your research. This will show that you are interested in the company and are excited about the opportunity.
We know finding a new job is not a simple task and if you have pledged to land a job in 2019 remember to be patient and don’t jump at the first opportunity. It takes time and a strategy to find the right job that will be the perfect match for you.