5 Tips to Help Your Job Search
In 2020, unemployment numbers reached the highest percentage this country has seen since 1940. Although the job market is recovering, there is still stiff competition for positions. Whether you are looking to join the workforce for the first time, rejoin, or are looking for a career change; here are 5 tips to help your job search in 2021.
1. Build your LinkedIn presence.
Recruiters frequently use LinkedIn to find candidates for their positions. There are a few things you can do to make sure you get noticed.
The first and most important step is to make sure your profile is fully filled out and up-to-date. Recruiters have tools such as title and keyword searches which they will use to find candidates. By having your most recent job title, as well as some key skills listed in your “about” section you can ensure your profile pops up.
Second, make sure you are active. By sending out connection requests to key leaders and recruiters in your field you can help yourself be noticed. Adding personal messages in connection requests can be helpful with this as well. Once you have built out your network make sure you stay active by posting, commenting, and liking messages to ensure you stay on your connections’ feed.
Third, LinkedIn has numerous tools to help improve your profile and get you noticed. By taking skills assessments you can show that you are motived and meet the requirements for the jobs you are applying for. Looking for online certificates to add to your resume? LinkedIn has those too. Click here for our favorites. You can also turn on a setting that shows you are open to new jobs. This setting can be activated so only people using LinkedIn Recruiter can see it. Recruiters can filter by this setting when searching for candidates.
2. Apply intelligently.
Many people approach the job search as a numbers game, but this is not always best. Quality is always better than quantity. While it is good to spread your resume, it is important to do so without sacrificing the quality of your application.
Every time you apply for a job you should make sure that your experiences match up with the requirements and edit your application to reflect the requirements of individual jobs. Effort in an application goes a long way and is noticed. Even if you do not get the job you first apply for, good resumes are always noticed and can help you find positions you didn’t even know were out there. Learn how to perfect your application here.
3. Use relationships to your advantage.
Personal connections go a long way. When you are searching for a job, proactively reach out to recruiters you have spoken to in the past and see what they are working on. Recruiters speak to hundreds of candidates a week. Maintaining relationships with them can make sure you on their mind. Even if they do not have a job for you immediately a new job might come up the next day that could be a perfect fit.
4. Have a flawless resume.
Most of the time, your resume is your first impression to your potential employer. Everyone knows how important first impressions are, so make sure yours is the best it can be. The first thing you can do is make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. The devil is in the detail and making sure there are no typos is very important.
The second step to building a flawless resume is making sure that it is clear and concise. When describing your experiences make sure to use built points that highlight key responsibilities and skills. Using paragraph format can hide important information you wish to convey to potential employers. A good way to test whether your resume passes this test is to set a 30-second timer and skim your resume. If your resume portrays the message you would like it to in 30 seconds or less, you are on the right track. Adding a technical skills section to the bottom of your resume can help with this. Looking for more tips to perfect your resume? We’ve got you covered.
5. Availability is your best ability.
When you send out your resume, make sure that you have time set aside that week to be able to speak with recruiters. Jobs can move fast and making sure you have the availability to speak to recruiters or employers will go a long way. Jobs, particularly temporary or contract roles, can filled in the same week they are posted. Making sure you can interview quickly can help you land that job.
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