Active job searching and job application

The job market no longer is like in the 60s, 70s, 80s, where a job was most likely a job for life.

We're living in a fast-paced world, where changes are abrupt, where you can leave a job today and start working tomorrow or a lot later than that.

We're also living in a world where, if you wish to find a job, you cannot wait to have it fall on your lap -- you need to go get it, to actively search for your job. And taking matters into your own hands can be scary. So, please find below a few ideas that might help you land a job.

1. Know yourself

First of all, you need to know yourself. What are your skills?

How do your skills apply to the job you want?

Make a list of your skills, what you learnt and what you still want to learn.

What kind of job do you want to land? Is it in line with what you've been doing so far or are you looking forward to making a change in your career?

2. Market search

Do a market search. What kind of jobs are there? Do your skills/resources fit the profiles you've been looking at or do you require further learning?

Are there any jobs available that, although might not be what you were looking for to begin with, you can see yourself doing, but you still need to gain knowledge for?

3. Keep learning

Gaining new skills is always a plus, be it languages, soft skills or more technical skills, as it shows you keep evolving and enjoy learning.

So make sure to be learning and growing both personally and professionally.

You don't have to go for a master's, but have you considered shorter courses (for example, LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, or any other platforms available)?

Also, consider on-the-job training and internships.

4. CV and LinkedIn

Take a look at some profiles/CVs online.

Talk about you, your achievements. But don't try to look better than you are. Be honest and don't put yourself down. We are usually better than we tend to think.

Personally, I prefer profiles that have more information than those that have close to zero information. However, since this depends on the person checking your profile/CV, you might as well create 2 versions, one more modern and one more complete.

I would also suggest that you keep your LinkedIn up-to-date and appealing to your potential clients, and add the link to your CV.

Keep in mind that you are selling a product: yourself, your work. Thusly, you need to market that product and make it appealing to potential employers.

5. How to apply?

There are places that allow you to apply in person, and you can actually go to the place and leave a copy of your CV.

However, most times, you need to apply via the company's website or via platforms/apps where the job ad was published.

Make sure to become acquainted with platforms such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor, among others.

If you're from a technological field, chances are it will be easier to look for jobs in more technical-related platforms than on general ones such as OLX.

Also, if you are searching for a job abroad, you might want to look into that country's immigration laws, job platforms (in Europe, for example, you have Eures), and check if the type of job you are looking for is something that that country's employers usually look for.

6. Cover letter

This letter should be tailored to the company and position you are applying for.

You should refer the position and the company, what interested you in the company and job ad that lead you to applying to that position.

Mention why your skills, soft (personality wise) and hard (work wise; these include technical skills), and previous knowledge are assets to that job position at that particular company.

This means you might have to investigate the company a bit (Glassdoor is a good platform for this).

Offer to provide further information and mention you're looking forward to be granted the opportunity to go to an interview.

If you still have a job but are looking forward to finding another one, use the fact that you still have a job to take your time to find another. That way you will not feel the pressure to get into the first thing that shows up.

Remember: you want a job you enjoy at a company that has a mission and values (not mandatorily what is up on their website) that match your own, not a bland job or even one you enjoy at a company with a lousy organisational culture/environment.

A business relationship is like any other: you wouldn't choose to marry someone that does not have a thing in common with you, now, would you?

Regarding interviews, you can find information on how to prepare for them here.

Originally posted to Psychology of the Workplace.