??9 Things Every Job Seeker Needs to Know.

Looking for a job can be challenging.

However, adequate preparation can make the process much less difficult. While performing a job search in the current market is not an exact science, and there are many variables at play, here are a few things that will make the search more productive and enjoyable:

1. Don't underestimate the power of networking.

By definition, networking is a conscious effort to create, maintain, and grow relationships of trust with others in order to advance your objectives. Professional networking is networking with an emphasis on business objectives. Today, one of the main difficulties for job seekers is the lack of solid connections at their target companies. These connections are crucial because they present possibilities, knowledge, and resources for your career and job search. Although developing these relationships might be difficult, they are also one of your greatest strengths.

So, get out there and get to know people, especially in the fields and companies you are interested in. See every interaction as a potential opportunity instead of concentrating just on traditional job-searching methods.

2. Update your LinkedIn profile. Your social media presence counts, so make it good.

First, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and represents you well. Additionally, your LinkedIn profile needs to tell a story different from your resume and always in the first person.

Remember, before making a recruiting decision, businesses frequently Google potential employees. So, check that your Facebook presence is clean before you start your job search! Once anything is up, it can be challenging to take it down. Review your privacy settings and, if necessary, take something off the Internet if it seems dubious.

3. Update your cover letter and résumé.

The standards for resumes are constantly changing. Just because a certain style or approach was effective ten or even three years ago doesn't mean it still is. In today's world, your resume needs to be ATS (Applicant Tracking System) compliant. If it's not you will hear crickets. You could be the best person for the job and check off all the skills required, but if it's not ATS compliant you will not get through.

Having a bit of color like (blue or green) can help you stand out from the boring black-and-white resumes. However, it should?still be appealing and easy to read. Because certain ATS (Applicant Tracking System) software doesn't even read serif ?(small extra stroke found at the end of the main vertical and horizontal strokes of some letters like Times New Roman) fonts, your impressive job experience might not even be seen by a potential employer simply because your font isn't one the computer can read. So, just state the facts and the wins and highlight your accomplishments to stand out.

4. Have a list of contacts, companies, and recruiters to reach out to.

Create this list with your specific job title in mind. Work directly with those who are in close contact with the companies you are looking at.

Furthermore, finding a recruiter or expert specializing in your industry can be helpful. They will be a far greater resource for you than one who focuses on other industries. Therefore, make use of this aspect to your benefit. Ask them about their knowledge of the sector you both work in. They'll know more people in that industry to introduce you to and will be more knowledgeable about the qualifications needed for the position.

In addition, create a relationship with your recruiter after making contact. Aim to communicate with your recruiter at least once every two weeks to stay on their radar.

5. Have a job target and title (know your niche)

You need a job, but applying to every position you come across could be compared to traveling without a destination. Therefore, be explicit about what you intend to do in order to prevent that. Next, look for jobs in that industry or a related industry. By focusing your search, you may be confident that you're submitting applications for positions where you stand a better chance of being hired. The task is not finished once you have chosen the industry you wish to work in. Do some research on the subject you want to explore.

Also, read. Yes, reading a book is not limited to the confines of a classroom. Most hiring procedures involve a number of online tests or in-person evaluations. If at all possible, research your field of work by reading papers and other information related to that field. Your chances of succeeding in your chosen career through recruitment would be considerably increased.

6. Clarify your career direction? – Have a job search strategy.

Job searchers frequently make the fatal first error: they should not start their search on LinkedIn, Indeed, Targetjobs, or any other job search website. Instead, consider exactly what you want to be doing and where you want to be doing it as a starting point. Your career goals, dreams, and aspirations need to be defined and clarified. Once you've done that, it will be simpler to translate them into concrete short- and long-term career goals.

It's about quality over quantity, thus, putting a lot of effort into a select few opportunities will increase your chances of landing your dream job compared to putting little effort into every position you apply for.

7. Knowing your potential employers can make a big difference.

Throughout the hiring process, preparation and knowledge are essential since they let you show that you have what it takes to do the job you're applying for. You can better comprehend the employer's expectations and prepare successful interview answers by doing some preliminary research on the company before your interview.

Furthermore, suppose you go into the interview with knowledge about the company and the role you might expect to perform. This can definitely give you a leading edge. Let them see that you are the kind of person that does their research and finds the facts. It can make all the difference in getting the job or getting a rejection.

8. Perfect your elevator speech.

Your elevator speech should be not more than about 2 to 3 minutes. The elevator speech is a short, persuasive opening that may be delivered in the time it takes for a person to ride the elevator to their floor. This is a useful technique to master when you're introducing yourself at an interview, a sales pitch, or a networking event. People are busy, so no matter how brief the chat is, being able to swiftly and effectively express who you are and what you do will ensure that you get your most essential ideas across.

9. Keep a positive attitude. Remember, it's not personal.

The last and possibly most crucial thing to understand is that it's not personal. It's incredibly challenging to be optimistic. Even after attending dozens of interviews and sending out countless resumes, you may still not receive a call.

However, the right job for you will come along. After all, it only takes one. So, if you get rejected, it just means that you are not a good fit for that company or that job. It's not you, so don’t take it personally. The best thing to do is to put it behind you and move on.

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I wish you the best of luck! ??

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