The decalogue of the good (and happy) job hunter

Searching for a job is probably the most difficult job you could undertake. As I usually say, "finding a job", it is a jos in itself.

There are few things, or maybe 10, that can help people to enjoy their journey towards finding a new professional challenge.

Here we go with the "Decalogue":

1) CLARITY: Clarity is probably the most important element during the search for a new job. Be honest to yourself and clarify what you are really looking for, what is your passion and what kind of job would deeply motivate you.

2) RESEARCH THE MARKET: Create a plan for your search. Research the market and the companies involved. Find out the companies that would really interest you, not only from a professional perspective, but also from a human one. Remember you will spend most of your daily time at work, more than you will spend with your family. Be happy to go to work.

3) THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX: Remember that more or less only 30% of the vacancies are published online. The other 70% is filled through networking. Sometimes you create your own vacancy through a direct contact as many companies are will to invest in talented candidates, even if they do not have any open position. They are willing to take the opportunty to onboard people with potential. People interested in working for them. Find the way to get in contact with the company of your dreams.

4) LEARN HOW TO NETWORKING: Networking, whether it is online or in-person, is one of the most effective way to get hired. Tell your connections (real and virtual) that you are looking for an opportunity.

5) DO NOT LOOK FOR A COUNTER-OFFER: Do not undertake a job search in order to create an opportunity to get a counter-offer from your employer. This can certainly harm your career development because your employer would decide to retain you simply because it would be easier than finding a replacement. He will know you are for sale. Is this what you want for your career? Don't you want passion in what you do?

6) DON'T QUIT: The job of your dreams might take sometime to come. Do not get over-frustated. Be focus. Be aware that the route to get to what you want might be full of obstacles, but if you have the will to reach your goal, you will get there. You will be rejected, but be confident! The job of your life will be on the way to reach you. And it will!! Keep on fighting for it! Getting a great job is not about luck, it is about studying and consistency.

7) STORYTELLING: Create your own story. Your story starts witth your CV. Create a great CV which can tell people what you are good at. Give consistency to your story or to the story of your experience, prepare your storytelling for the interview, highlighting why you are good in what you are good and why the company should choose you. Most of the time, a person get hired not beacuse he/she is the best candidate running for the position, but because he/she can communicate in the most effective way.

8) DON'T FAKE: Do not fake your answers during an interview. Be honest. We all have weaknesses and the perfect candidate does not exist. Focus on what you are really good at and how you would be able to close some gaps that you might have. Employers do not want to hear fake answers, they want to know how badly you want to work for them and how deeply you know their company.

9) TURNS NEGATIVES INTO POSITIVES: When attending an interview let your listeners know how you turned your negatives into positives and how you have learnt from your mistakes. Developing is a process and we all go through mistakes. The important thing is to turn them into positives and let people know that you have learnt the lesson.

10) BE ENGAGED: Hiring managers and employers will check, sometimes as a first question, what do you know about their company. If you fail this answer, you fail almost the entire interview process. Knowing the company you are applying for is probably more important than possessing all the requirements for the position. You might be the best candidate ever, but if you do not browse the organization’s website, read reviews, check the social media pages, learn the company's history and the values, why should a company choose you? Companies are not only looking for employees, they are looking for ambassadors. There is nothing more impressive than someone who shows to be prepared and ready to answer any questions ahead.

Last but not least, make eye-contact. A lot of hiring managers eliminate candidates after an interview because candidates failed to shows confidence.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SEARCH!!