5 Tips & Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

Job searching can be a trial, but there are several ways to make the hunt easier. We go over some basic tips and tools that can help you find the perfect job. From asking your network to utilizing other forms of social media, job seeking comes in a variety of forms.?

Whether you’re transitioning into a new role or you’re becoming part of the Great Resignation, you’ll need to adapt to the reality of today’s job search. Thousands of job seekers visit job search sites and apply to various jobs to see where they may end up. Don’t let your job search turn you into just a number or a file on a recruiter’s desktop. The tips and tools below will help you stand out and find your dream job.

Job Search Advice and Tips

Staying positive while job hunting can be difficult. You may worry that you’ll end up sending out hundreds of resumes and only hear back from a few hiring managers. We outline a few key tips and tools you can use to bolster your job search to move forward with the next step in your career.?

Here are a few pieces of advice you may find helpful:?

• Job hunting is a process. Take the time you need to modify your resume to fit your career goals.?
• Don’t limit yourself to online applications or job boards (get creative with your job search).
• We’ve all been there.

Tip #1: Ask Around Your Network

Networking is one of the most powerful and efficient ways to find a job. If you’re looking for a job, a good option is asking friends and previous coworkers in your network. Your connections will likely share job openings they know of informally before they’re publicly posted.?

Often, recruiters or hiring managers fill jobs internally due to personal connections with qualified candidates. This means the job listing doesn’t make it to public job search sites or listings. Try to talk to people you know who are influential within specific circles or have large networks. Your network may also know newly launched job search sites you can use to improve your job search.?

Rob Kim, LinkedIn Top Voice 2022 of Job Search and Careers, shares his thoughts on networking. “Networking is like cooking — to get better at it, you have to do it. No amount of watching cooking shows or eating at restaurants will match the skill building you will get from cooking from a recipe or breaking those eggs on that hot frying pan,” said Kim.

While you can continually research and prepare, Kim advocates for a practical interpersonal approach. “To become a skilled networker, consider trying out one networking strategy like coffee chats (a recipe) or focus on one type of networking environment like LinkedIn InMail (a dish). Networking is about taking baby steps. No one remembers their first steps, but if you were to see a compilation of yours, it would involve a lot of falling wobbly legs like a game of Jenga.”

Tip #2: Attend Local Job Fairs

A job fair is a great tool that companies and potential new hires use to network. Local job fairs can be a great source of information regarding open roles in your industry. During these events, you have the chance to meet hiring managers from around your city and beyond. Job fairs allow you to share your resume and experience while informally “applying” to a specific role in your industry.

However, you shouldn’t just bring a standard resume to a job fair. It is also important to have information that details any major career wins and specific metrics behind those wins to capture the attention of hiring managers.?

"There is no better time than right now to create a file that captures career wins, achievements, metrics, and specifics. These facts on hand will make a future job search, job transition, salary negotiation, resume creation, interview, or promotion request much easier," advises Adrienne Tom, executive resume writer and job search strategist.?

It is important to do your homework before arriving at any job fair. A few things you can do to improve your odds of landing a formal interview or job include:?

• Search job fair listings to find out which companies within your industry will be attending.
• Update your resume to match the needs of these companies.?
• Practice an “elevator speech” that includes your experience, what you would offer these employers, and a quick blurb about your past educational achievements. Try to keep the pitch at 20-30 seconds.
• Find a way to stand out. Hiring managers who attend these events may receive hundreds of resumes and see hundreds of people in an eight-hour period.

Tip #3: Contact Companies Directly

Another great job search tip is to contact companies directly through their careers page.?

If a company doesn’t list any immediate openings on their website related to the roles that match your skill set, consider a quick email or making a phone call. Your job search should be maximizing all the tools in your toolbox. Many job seekers only use job boards and don’t consider calling up a company’s HR department.

Before you make a call, make sure you:?

• Keep an updated copy of your resume (both in electronic format and printed out) handy in case you need to quickly send it off to a hiring manager or go over your previous positions.
• Know which type of role you’re looking to step into and why.?
• Make sure any recommendation letters are easily accessible.?
• Verify current contact information for your references and previous employers.
• Develop an introductory hook and be ready to express why you’re the best for a particular role.

Tip #4: Make Good Use of Social Media

Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram aren’t just for chatting with friends and posting your favorite memes. In fact, many job seekers post their resumes on these platforms and use status updates on social media to search for open positions.

Your friends and followers may have job leads and contacts in several different industries. Message past colleagues and combine your posts with relevant hashtags to help your network get a better idea of what industry you would like to work in.?

Another strategy is to follow company pages while interacting with their content. By staying up to date with a company’s social media profile, you gain valuable insight into the direction they are headed. You can also get an inside look at some of the company’s focus areas, many of which could be useful to bring up in an interview or phone call with a hiring manager. They may also post if they are hiring for current positions. One last tip: Share your thoughts and add comments below related posts daily. Ask about current job openings and when they plan to attend a local job fair or hold an online webinar.?

Try these social media job search strategies:??

• Update your educational background and ask for recommendations from previous colleagues and managers.
• Contribute to discussions on Twitter relevant to your industry.?
• Showcase any notable skills and/or recent industry certifications to help you stand out.
• Be open and ask for referrals to open jobs in your industry.?

Tip #5: Use LinkedIn

LinkedIn is specifically designed to benefit you in your search for new work opportunities. There are thousands of potential roles you can apply for, and companies are adding hundreds of job listings daily. You can use free tools, find helpful articles to improve your job search strategies and join groups dedicated to helping you find the best role that matches your skill set.?

Jessica Hernandez, an executive recruiter and a LinkedIn Top Voice for Job Search/Careers, recently shared some excellent advice for job seekers: "If you have a standard profile you should see about 10 keyword recommendations...look through the list, if there are any skills that you possess that aren’t listed on your profile make sure that you add them immediately. And obviously don’t add any that you don’t possess." Job hunting becomes a lot easier when you optimize your resume for search. Remember to apply to as many open positions as you can that match your qualifications.?

Avoid these mistakes when publishing your resume and information on job search sites:?

• Avoid having too much irrelevant information in your resume.
• Don’t go into too much detail in your cover letters.
• Try not to apply to job roles where your experience and skills don’t match the qualifications.
• Update your profile photo (business casual is best).

Rob Kim provides practical advice as to how to utilize LinkedIn for networking, outside of simply sending connection requests. “LinkedIn is a great networking tool and has been helpful for someone like me who enjoys talking with people one on one. Practice reaching out to people for informational interviews. Engage and interact before asking for one. Learn about them and reach out by referring to a recent post they shared that resonated with you.”

Job Hunting Doesn't Have to Be Difficult

Job hunting doesn’t have to feel like you’re stuck in an endless maze. Take the time you need to try new strategies like visiting new job search sites and networking with past coworkers or hiring managers over coffee. Sho Dewan, another LinkedIn Top Voice for Job Search and Careers, recommends, "If you're not getting any interviews, focus on your resume. If you're not passing the interviews, focus on your stories." Keep putting yourself, your resume, and your experience out there for any opportunity.

Top Takeaways

How can job hunting be an easier process in 2022?

• Reach out to recruiters and hiring managers to seek potential job listings.
• Attend local job fairs and become aware of the employers who are currently hiring, along with the opportunities they are offering.
• Take an assertive approach by contacting companies directly through their careers page on LinkedIn.
• Utilize social media as a way to network with both your followers and your friends.
• Use LinkedIn and the many free resources available.

(Reporting by NPD, Editing by Timothy Mably)