Job Hunting Tips

We see reports on the news and online seemingly every day about the fantastic jobs available. We see the listings, and sometimes the salaries stated are significantly higher than we earn, and it is tempting to take advantage of the situation.

It’s exciting, but it can also be stressful. By being strategic about your job hunting, you can ensure you don’t waste time or effort.

Here are some tips to make it easier when it is time to look for a new job:

Clearly identify what you want. This first step in looking for work is an important one! If you don’t know what type of position to look for, you won’t stumble upon it. Knowing what things you don’t want makes it easier to decide where to focus your efforts. Does the location matter? Do you have time restraints? Are you comfortable with occasional overtime or travel? Do you want to be on call 24/7? Knowing you don’t want a family-run organization, or a unionized job makes it easier to weed out what isn’t a good use of your time. If you want an opportunity for advancement, smaller companies might not be for you.

Identifying your boundaries and desires makes it easy to decide if the job is something you should pursue instead of deciding based only on the salary offered.

I’ve known several people who applied for jobs based on the salary stated and overlooked or ignored the other parameters of the job. Naturally, the job didn’t work out because those other parameters are often just as (or more) important as salary.

Decide what is important to you before you start your job hunt.

Stay alert to opportunities.

Sign up for job alerts on LinkedIn. You can get job alerts based on location, skill set, and other criteria. You can also set up alerts for specific companies you are interested in.

Let your confidential network know that you are interested in other opportunities. You may only want to announce to some you are looking for a job if you still have one, but there should be people within your network who can keep their eyes open for you (like me!).

Connect online with recruiters and head-hunters. You’ve probably had someone reach out in the past to see if you are interested in moving. Connect with them to let them know you are open to opportunities.

Know how to negotiate. Whether during interview prep or once on the job search itself, knowing how to negotiate salary, vacation, benefits, or hours allows you to start your new job feeling valued and happy.

Before you negotiate, you need to know the answers to those questions. Where are your boundaries? Are you willing to concede on any of these issues, or will you walk away from a job offer if your requests are not possible?

Make sure your resume is updated and ready to go. Be sure to update it with new skills and accomplishments. Don’t simply copy over what’s on your last resume without anything other than updated dates. Make it a practice to update your resume annually, even if you aren’t looking for a job. It is easy to forget courses, skills, and experiences that may be important to your next employer.

Update your LinkedIn profile. Provide an updated photo as well as your online resume and include any relevant experience or skills you’ve picked up since your last update. Don’t forget your education and any accreditation you have earned!

Prepare for the interview?by thinking about the standard questions you’ll be asked.

No matter what kind of job you’re applying for, chances are you’ll be asked some variation of these:

• Tell me about yourself.
• What’s your biggest weakness? (Or: What’s your greatest strength?)
• Where do you see yourself in five years? (Or: Why do you want to work here?)
• Do you have any questions for me?

You can be prepared for the job search and make it less stressful and far more successful.

Look for internal opportunities as well as external ones.

Start conversations about what you can do better to help yourself get promoted or secure a higher-paying position within the company. Even if your boss isn’t willing to offer any advice, another manager in the office might be happy to chat with you about where else you might find opportunities within the company.

If you’re looking for a new job, it’s important to be ready. If you are ready, willing, and able to make a jump, you can take advantage of the opportunities that are bound to come your way.

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