Five Top Job Search Techniques

If you spend five seconds and google “Job Search Techniques,” you are immediately bombarded with 100+ job search tips, techniques, and strategies. Let’s be honest; if you were to read each of those articles and faithfully adhere to every piece of advice, you would quickly find yourself ripping your hair out from stress. There is so much conflicting information out there about job searching and no sure-fire guaranteed way to land a job. So, what do you do?

There are two routes you can take: apply online or network to try to get your foot in the door.

Targeted Employment & Targeted Employer List

Everyone has a dream job and if not, maybe you should! I ask just about everyone I meet where do you want to work? Most people reply with “Anywhere,” I didn’t know they were hiring…Having a targeted employer list will allow you to focus on quality, not quantity.  Write down what you want whether it be a large or small company, public or private company, and in what industry; I usually recommend no more than 15 employers. Creating a targeted list will allow you to tailor your resume to your targeted employers. Research the companies and make their values and priorities yours as well.

Creating a Resume for Online Submission

It's best to think of a resume as a fluid or living document, one that changes over time or with the situation. Just like you will create a unique resume for every job at every Company on your targeted employer list; you should also have a resume for online submissions. When applying online your resume will most likely face the scrutiny of an applicant tracking system before reaching the hiring manager which is why your resume for online submissions should be a simply formatted resume that includes exact keywords related to your industry or desired position.

Networking

We’ve all heard the saying “It’s not WHAT you know but WHO you know” and that couldn’t be closer to the truth. The reality is that having your friend Mike take your resume to HR versus applying online hoping to get through the Applicant Tracking System is going to make it much easier to get an interview. Of course, you can always make friends by networking at meetups in your industry or joining Facebook groups relating to what you want to do.

Branding

Once you have that interview, how are you going to put your best foot forward? Your research and personality will truly have their time to shine but did you know that 90% of hiring managers, are going to search for you on social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter as part of the vetting process? Make sure your profile or brand represents who you are and how you want to represent yourself. If you don’t have an into a targeted employer; get one! Follow the company on LinkedIn, look at people who already work there, comment on posts or articles, and add your content. Brand yourself as an expert in a field or be present in the online community, you’ll get more searches that way.

Do you know what your brand is?

Upgrading Skills

One last piece of advice, if you aren’t happy with your current situation…Change it! I meet people all the time who have their CompTIA A+ certification but are on the hunt for another job. Unless they make an effort to get the next certification, like CompTIA Network+ or Security +, they will find themselves in the same job that they’ve had before. If you want to upgrade your job, upgrade your skills.

If you are not sure how to upgrade, reach out to Computer Coach and speak with one of our certified career coaches. They can help you figure out a path to get to where you want to be.