Don't Start Your Job Search Without Reading this First!
Boly:Welch
The premier full-service talent agency for the Pacific Northwest Executive Search | Recruiting | Contract Staffing | HR
?? Welcome back to Never Job Search Alone! The new year has arrived, making it a great time to begin your job search. This week, we're offering our top tips to help set you up for success in your search.
If we were starting our job search in 2025, here's what we would do…
The job search process can seem daunting and overwhelming when you first start. Your immediate response might be to update your resume and start applying to jobs, but that might not get you the results you need.
The first step in your job search should be doing some research
People start their job search for many different reasons—new challenges, higher salary, different locations, layoffs, returning to work. The first step is to identify your reasons!
While being "open to anything" might seem like a good thing, getting a clear idea of what you want in your next role will ensure your career path aligns with your goals.
We encourage people to think about C.L.A.M.P.S.:
Not sure what you do want? Start with what you know you don't want based on your experience from past jobs. Is your commute too long? Do you wish you worked in a more friendly office??Are you looking for more of a challenge or career growth? Understanding your priorities and boundaries will help you find a path forward to achieve your goals.
At this stage, you can also reach out to industry professionals to get insights on their roles, skills, companies, and more. We cover this in our 7-Day Job Search 101 Challenge.
How to communicate your experience
Updating your LinkedIn and Indeed profiles can make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to find you based on your skills. Include things like hard skills, qualifications, and accomplishments.
The same goes for your resume. Having an up-to-date version that mirrors the skills you have that align with the role you're applying for is key. We encourage tailoring your resume to the role you're applying to by including relevant skills and accomplishments. Focus on your most recent experience, usually about 10 years' worth of experience or 5 past jobs, depending on what tells your story better.
Taking actionable steps to find your next role
Job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed are just two resources you can tap into. However, networking may offer a more fruitful way to learn about open roles and internal hiring practices. Reaching out to past colleagues, attending in-person events, and contacting new people to conduct informational interviews can reveal next steps forward.
When you get to the interview stage, make sure you respond promptly to any outreach. This makes it easier to schedule and keeps the process moving forward.
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Before going into an interview, come prepared with questions to ask the employer as well. You can ask about the role, organization, team dynamics, etc.
Lastly, this goes without saying, but be kind! Send a thank-you note or email to show your appreciation.
We know it's not simple, but we hope these steps help you find some focus in your 2025 job search. Good luck!
More of a visual learner? Check out our video ??
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Not what you're looking for? See more open roles on our job board.
?? Download our Hacking Your Job Search zine for more tips, strategies, and activities!