Finding a new job that you enjoy in today’s market can be challenging. But the hunt is worth the prize in the end if you can land that dream job. You can find everything you are looking for in a great employment opportunity. Knowing what you want is critical for finding a good fit. It’s best to spend time analyzing what jobs you are best suited for. This ensures you will not waste time applying for positions that don’t match your skills. First, you have to decide on what type of work you want to do. Then follow these easy tips on how to find a new job to begin your career. Let’s take your career to the next level.
1. Utilize Free Resources
There are many online resources that are free and that you can tailor your job search with. Some companies list on agency websites, some use social media to promote their open positions and others employ a peo solution for recruiting purposes and you work with them to apply for jobs you may want. Most include filters that enable you to specify what you are looking for. Filters exist for remote work, full-time or part-time, salary or location. All of these can help narrow the search for you and help you make the best use of your time. Many of the online services will ask you for an email address to send you lists of possible matches. These lists can save you time because they do the searching for you.
Some online newspapers still offer job listings and can be a great online source for local work. This satisfies both remote and in-person positions. Social media can also be used for job searches. Even though some charge a fee, there are free possibilities as well. If you are going to spend your time scrolling, you might as well scroll for a new job.
2. Tailor Your Resume
Keeping a resume on file with online employment companies is a smart time-saver but you should still customize the resumes you send to jobs when applying through their services. Many of the postings will feature the option of applying on the business’s site. This enables you to edit and tailor your documents. Each position is a little different and has its own keywords. These keywords must be incorporated into your resume and cover letter to be chosen as a possible match.
There are free resume and cover letter templates available online to use as a base for your resume. These include standard aspects of personal information, education and background. Those things do not change, but you can use the language of the job posting in your skills and abilities section to fit what they are looking for.
3. Offer Valuable Ideas
When you reach out to a company that you are very interested in working for, give them a reason to reach back. In the cover letter that you include with your application, offer a valuable idea to them showing how you can help with a service or product related to the position. Let them know that you are a creative, critical thinker who is ready to bring ideas and energy to their table. If they read something new and valuable in your cover letter, it will make them want to talk to you and hopefully hear what other ideas you have to offer. Communicate to them your knowledge of what they need and how you can provide the solution. Paint a picture that provides proof of your worth and they will want to meet you.
You need to offer something unique and important to stand out among all the other applicants. It is important to highlight what you have accomplished and what you would like to help them achieve. You will spend less time on your job search and more time landing job interviews if you tailor your words. Give yourself time every day to spend on your job hunt. Set a goal of how many you will apply to each week and stick to it. It may be hard to find the energy at first so create a positive environment of good music and a refreshing drink to make your search enjoyable. Reward yourself at the end of the week for a job search well done by doing something fun and completely unrelated to this task. It is important to give yourself room to breathe.
4. Connect with Professional Organizations
Every field has organizations that educate, support and engage its members. Seek out these groups in each type of job you are interested in and follow them on social media. By reading what is going on in their groups, you will learn more about this work and gather useful information. You can talk about current trends and topics during your interviews and can include them in your cover letters. These organizations are great resources for job openings, networking and career advancement. Many times you will find positions open in businesses you want to be hired by that are only posted on their websites or with these clubs, and you will need to join them to apply.
Sometimes the easiest way to find a great job with a company you are interested in is to simply reach out and ask if they are hiring. Don’t be afraid to begin the conversation about what you would like to help them with. You know you can be a valuable asset to their team, they just don’t know it yet. If you become an active participant in the online community of the professional organization, field or company you want to be employed by, you can build relationships with the people who are on the front lines of those businesses. Look for the people who are visible and vocal where you want to work. This allows you to find who you need to befriend. Watch and listen to what they do so that when positions are open, you will be ready to step in and offer your services.
5. Keep These Tips Handy
Finding a new job can be exciting, stressful and intimidating. It allows you to reinvent yourself to a certain degree and can lead to amazing challenges and career advancement. What makes a job perfect for you is different from anyone else, and takes into consideration how much you want to make. It also considers what goals you want to accomplish, where you want to work from and who you are responsible for. There are many online sources for job postings that you can use for free. And there are some that charge a small fee for their vetted listings.
When you change your resume to align with each job you apply for gives you the best chance to be picked for an interview. This allows you to judge if it is the right one for you. By using the cover letter as a vehicle to showcase your unique ideas, you spark the reader’s interest and already have a great topic to discuss during the interview. Becoming a member of any professional group in your field is a smart career choice and can lead to some wonderful job opportunities and long-lasting friendships. Many times the people you work with in your field make the best friends because you understand and appreciate each other and the work you do.
