Job search is competitive at any level undoubtedly, and job seekers need all the help they can get. Here are some tried and tested strategies to refocus your job search and help you land the job you’re after.
Clearly Define What You Want
This can be a real stumbling block for people. Roles can be difficult to define and may differ subtlety from organisation to organisation. Be very objective and analytical in defining what you want. Identify the strengths and skills that you want to use. Set parameters around geographies, length of commute, types of organisations – all the practical aspects of the day-to-day routine.
Ensure Currency for Relevant Skills
In a rapidly changing business world, ensure relevant skills are kept honed and current. Make sure your market knowledge is up to date as well as your skills. If necessary, invest in a refresher course or other skill-building exercise. Offer your services on a project-basis to market leading companies to immerse yourself in current trends.
Clear Your Mind
Clearing your mind from negative thoughts, or not being receptive to different ways of approaching the same role, being too narrow and uncreative in your thoughts all negate the good work you’re doing. Free yourself from what you’re used to. Understand that your new ‘norm’ is based on change and that you need to be flexible in your approach.
Time Management
Job hunting is time consuming and you should expect to be actively job hunting on a full-time basis if you are serious about it. Different job search strategies will take up a different proportion of your time, depending on your role and what is the best approach for you specifically. For example, if you are a specialist cancer researcher, you will probably want to allocate more time on networking across an easily define universe than on trawling through on-line job sites.
Get Your Marketing Collateral in Shape
Be consistent in your branding of yourself. Ensure that your message is clear, focused and consistent. Identify the different medium available to you and the relevant platforms within on-line options. As a minimum, you’ll need a resume and profile on LinkedIn, and possibly a brief bio. If your current resume isn’t up to scratch or isn’t resulting in responses, then consider investing in getting it professionally written. Good Resume Writers understand what is needed for the current job market, and how to maximise the impact of your experience to date. According to some recent research by Forbes in the US, job seekers are 40% more likely to be noticed from their professionally written resume. Consider the difference this could make to your job search.
On-line platforms in addition to LinkedIn such as Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, relevant industry association sites and others offer you the opportunity to demonstrate your expertise to others.
Google your name regularly to check your digital branding – you may find it interesting.
Prepare Properly for Interview
This is incredibly important…. having worked so hard to secure an interview, don’t blow it by not preparing thoroughly. Research the organisation, the industry sector and what challenges it is facing, key leadership profiles and of course the actual role itself. You’ll be able to ask insightful, probing questions that’ll impress the interviewers. Additionally, practice answering likely interview questions, and again, investing in some professional training will help you significantly. The financial outlay for a couple of hours interview coaching is more than covered when you land your dream job.
Socialise with Others
Remember that interacting with others is vitally important to retain our sense of well-being and provides perspective and balance. Sitting alone at home with your computer and phone all day can become isolating, so remember to build some social fun into your week to retain a healthy perspective on life.
And Finally
Once you have landed a great role, remember to assist others where you can in their job search. Reciprocity is a great thing and should be encouraged whenever possible.
About the Author
Katie Adler – the person behind Katie Adler Consulting
Katie Adler – the person behind Katie Adler Consulting
Katie Adler’s professional career has been in executive search and the corporate sector. She is a Professional Member of the Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA) and helps individuals develop the diverse skills required to succeed in today’s competitive job market by delivering highly acclaimed career coaching and job search services. For details of all services, click here.