STOP Using Job Boards the Wrong Way [Do this Instead]

Here is how to conduct your job search in a way that optimizes your chances of getting the best possible opportunity to catapult your career.?

Most professionals when planning their next career move focus first on:

• Role
• Then: Company
• And finally: Industry

But that is actually backwards.?

The Ineffective Job Search Method (That You’re Likely Doing!)?

So many of us choose our next job the same way.

The process is:

1. Go to the major job board sites
2. Search by the job title and city
3. Choose roles based on experience level and compelling title/description
4. Apply to many roles and see who will call

Does this sound like what you do?

This is completely normal, and job boards are even designed to encourage you to job search this way.

But we need to approach it in a different way if we want to ensure we are making the best possible next career move.

Industry is Your Top Priority in the Job Search

First, focus on industry.

Not the industry that sounds the coolest and sexiest, but the one that fits your values.

For example, when I was determining which industry to be an HR professional in, I wanted an industry that:

• Highly valued the HR function beyond administrative tasks
• Does not see employees as interchangeable
• Promotes based on merit

I analyzed industries like the entertainment industry, which didn’t fulfill these values, whereas many of the technology companies did.

Therefore I went into the technology industry!

Additionally, working in the right industry won’t just make you happier, but will also set you up for longer career success.

Because industry expertise matters.

Do not underestimate how much effort it takes to learn a new industry. Learning an industry takes a lot, learning the customers, competitors, the terminology, the processes, the people, to name a few.

And it is difficult to switch industries once you realize an industry isn’t for you, because industry specific resumes and cover letters get more interviews.

The industry you choose can be broad or narrow, it could be high level like “e-commerce”, or it could be as specific as “all natural household products.”

An Improved Approach

So once you’ve zeroed in on the industry, you can return to the job boards. Filter for the industry you’re focused on or even go to industry specific job boards and company websites.

Job boards are excellent for seeing which opportunities are opening up, but what’s more sustainable is to attract job opportunities. With the right combination of targeted networking and Linkedin optimization you can never apply online again. If you aren’t currently attracting several opportunities a week in this way, we can look into working together.??

Which industry are you focused on?

__________________________

Madeline Mann is an HR & Recruiting leader who is known for her award-winning job search YouTube Channel, Self Made Millennial. Mann’s career coaching programs have led to thousands of success stories, and her work has been featured on ABC, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and more. Go here to get job search coaching.