Because Looking for a Job is Also a Job

In our previous article, we discussed the first step in job hunting: “Analyzing Your Options.”

The next step is “Preparing for the Job Search.”

When I was young, I often heard the saying, “Not everything that glitters is gold.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand it, but now, when facing difficult situations, especially in the job market, the meaning has become clear. Finding a job is not easy, but I can assure you from experience that it’s not impossible if you know how to use the right tools.

Job hunting requires prior organization of your professional data, companies, geographical areas, and continuous updates to these. It demands discipline and persistence. It’s important to set a fixed schedule for researching companies and sending out resumes, without getting discouraged if immediate responses don’t come. Results will appear in due time.

Additionally, it’s essential to engage in self-motivational activities that will help when you feel discouraged or frustrated. Positive examples include sports, music, learning new languages, group activities, or spending time outdoors. Spending time with family and friends also serves as a great support system.

To find the job you want, you first need to create a resume that takes into account several key elements:

• Resume Length: If you have a junior profile (limited professional experience), your resume should never exceed one page. For those with mid-level experience, two pages is ideal. For those with extensive experience, it should never exceed three pages. We don’t want the reader to lose interest due to too much detail.
• Professional Photo: Always include a professional and flattering photo. This enhances your image as a human being and leaves a positive impression. Remember, first impressions are crucial.
• Clarity and Conciseness: The information should always be clear and concise. Start with your name, highlighting it in bold and in a larger font than the rest of the document. This will make it more memorable. Contact details are essential—include a phone number and a serious email address. If you have a complete LinkedIn profile, add that link too, as many recruiters use this tool to find candidates. Indeed, I’d encourage you to have your profiles well described in the platforms you use
• Summary Section: Include a brief summary of your cover letter, placing it just below your contact details to kick off your resume.
• Order of Information: The order in which you present information is also important. If you have a very junior profile, highlight your academic background first, followed by any work experience you have. If you have a more extensive professional background, emphasize your work experience first, followed by your education.
• Colour Usage: Be cautious with the colours you use. Although there is a trend toward more modern resume designs, always tailor yours to the job you’re applying for. If it’s a creative role, a creative resume might be appropriate, but it won’t suit more serious positions. You might even need to create several versions of your resume, depending on the type of job, emphasizing aspects related to the job offer. This will increase your chances of being selected.

In addition to the resume, prepare a cover letter where you express your professional interest, highlight your relevant work experience for the position, and present your personal profile. Always be honest. This point can be considered even mandatory in some countries.

When searching for a job as an employee, you must establish your professional motivations based on an analysis of your environment and professional profile. Do you prefer working in large or small companies? Do you want to work in your city and country, or are you open to geographical mobility? Do you want to work only in your profession, or are you open to expanding your job search? Are you looking for a temporary or permanent position? Full-time or part-time? This analysis is necessary to apply only to positions that align with your priorities, saving both your time and others.

Focusing on a job search in your desired country, create a list of companies to send your resume to. The fastest step is to create a profile with employment/recruitment agencies and temporary employment companies. Additionally, job aggregators (i.e. Indeed) that gather vacancies from agencies, and other companies are very convenient as they allow you to see a wide range of opportunities. You should also analyze the job market to understand trends and fluctuations in job postings.

A basic example of a primary list in Spain could be:

• https://www.infojobs.es
• https://www.infoempleo.com
• https://www.indeed.com
• https://www.hays.es
• https://www.pagepersonnel.es

Before starting your job search, create a secondary list of companies where you would like to work. Create also an excel list with columns such as company name, date of application, Status, comments, link of the job advert, etc. This way, you can track your activity and direct your efforts effectively, even knowing which companies you have applied to and which are still pending.

And finally, create a routine, your dedicate time slots to invest in the searching, and plan your breaks too.

As we can see, looking for a job is indeed a job in itself, but with a methodical approach, plenty of motivation, and a bit of persistence, you will see the results sooner than you expect. Good luck with your job search!