Updated: 2021 Job Seeker Tips

As a former career coach and HR consultant, I've shared this info in the past but wanted to pay-it-forward and update for the current unemployment landscape and job seeker market. If you are currently unemployed and seeking your next opportunity, hoping that these tips will help you stay the course.

1. GET SOCIAL

Building your online brand during your job search begins with social media. Social networking gives job seekers the opportunity to get their name/profile known online and build credibility for themselves as professionals. To get you started, be sure your LinkedIn profile is established and current. Mirror your resume as best you can, without too much content, and include accomplishments, metrics, data to support your success in each position or your career as a whole.

Look at likeminded or similar career paths/profiles so yours can stand out and be competitive with your peers in same career path or industry. Find companies/roles of interest and make sure your resume shouts “fit” related to experience, exposure to projects, and keywords relative to industry or genre. It’s a good idea as well to join Groups on LinkedIn or join Discussions relative to your industry or expertise so that you become more visible and integrated with the people you hope to work with one day. This typically up’s your profile views and is a great way to further build connections.

2. USE JOB SEEKER APPS

According to Jobvite, nearly half of job seekers use a mobile device during their job search. In fact, most active job seekers want to be able to apply for jobs from their phones. There are a number of job search apps available for job seekers to use. Leading job search engines are Indeed.com, Glassdoor and LinkedIn. Indeed now merged with Glassdoor and is an aggregator from ALL job sources/company career pages. All of these job sites are applicable to a mobile version to enhance job search experience. Glassdoor is often viewed as a top job board and offers insights/reviews to job seekers related to culture, benefits, engagement, and values. All job sites and company careers pages are quickly moving to “one click” applications. Make sure you upload your resume, cover, and profile to these sites so you can “one click” apply quickly to jobs of interest. And don’t lose track of where, when, and how you applied to positions so that you are quick on your feet for when you get the “call-back” from a prospective employer. Taking notes and monitoring your output of applications will help you leverage some preparation so you can focus on your highlights of resume for alignment to role, company, and culture.

3. FIND A MENTOR or EXECUTIVE SPONSOR

Leaning on a mentor or executive sponsor can help you navigate your search, in addition to facilitating introductions or networking assistance. A mentor can be a former/current boss, a colleague whose success you admire, an old college professor, or even a professional you met through LinkedIn or another professional network. This person is typically someone who has experience in your industry and can share stories/advice from their journey, as an example, while also providing you some insight as to how to build your own roadmap to your next career level or long term career goals.

4. VOLUNTEER

Get involved and be seen, plus feel amazing giving back to your community! There are many ways to volunteer, whether it be your time, your expertise, fundraising, or sitting on a board/committee. You can pick something close to your heart or a cause you feel a connection to and/or pick a volunteer opportunity that is specific to your industry or genre of career path. Doing one or both will not only make you stand out as a candidate; it’ll put you alongside your future peers, leaders and decision makers that could be a connection to your next big break!

5. START A V/BLOG, POST ARTICLES, or create an ONLINE PORTFOLIO

Nowadays, almost every professional has a vlog/blog, podcast, social media page, or online portfolio that showcases their expertise and accomplishments. Not only is this a great tool for you to use during a job interview, but it will also help you get noticed by more employers. To get you started, the most visible and easiest way to begin is LinkedIn. There is a tutorial video on these topics and it’s easy to share, tweet or get as many views as possible, all within the world’s largest professional networking resource.

6. CONNECT AND RECONNECT

Once you’ve done the above, it’s time to “advertise” your search. Send your resume, cover letter and a few job titles/companies of interest to your trusted network and contacts. Include a quick, humble but straightforward note that you are about to expand your job search and would appreciate if they would take a few minutes to look at your resume, cover letter, and a few of the roles you are looking for or applying to. Ask for referrals and recommendations in their network or introductions to others that may lead you to a “it’s-who-you-know” job lead. You may get little to no response, but don’t worry, at some point in the coming weeks you’ll be in the back of their mind for when someone mentions a role or opportunity, they may just say: “hey, I just got an email from XYZ looking for an opportunity like this – let me connect you/forward their resume”.

7. PRACTICE YOUR PITCH

While most of us more savvy/seasoned recruiters cringe at the interviewer kick-off; “walk me through your resume”, it’s still a good idea to be prepared with your “elevator pitch”. This should easily flow along with the various roles, accomplishments, and career movement of your resume except that it is enhanced with the context and color behind each advancement or change throughout your job history. Include what sparked your search and your goals for your next position. Be sure to include alignment to the role you are being interviewed for and where you can hit the ground running or may need a little time to ramp up. 

Psst...it’s okay to be nervous; nerves are just the result of your value or interest for the role or company and it’s absolutely okay to share that honest excitement with your interviewer. Practice a one minute pitch for those quick intros where you happen to be in the right place at the right time and want to share who and what you are about. Practice as well, for more formal conversations or interviews, a 3-5 minute pitch that includes the broader story behind how you arrived where you’re at and what you are looking for in a new opportunity. Ask your mentor or someone you respect for feedback and then practice some more. Be so comfortable with this that you can hook your listener so they want to learn more about you beyond the black and white of a resume.

8. THANK YOU!

The Thank You is your last first impression. That's right, you still have a chance post-interview to button up your answers and leave an even deeper lasting impression. Email is acceptable to the interviewer/team and 24-48 hours after is the perfect window to digest the conversations, think about what stood out to you for mutual fit, and highlight the why/how you would make a terrific addition to their team. You'd be surprised at how many candidates never send the recruiter or interviewer even a brief but kind thank you or follow up. Check out this past article for more tips on the benefits of a proper THANK YOU.

9. STAY THE COURSE

Whatever you do – don’t give up! Find a good approach, remain consistent and stay the course. Building your brand, being authentic, connecting to others for networking, and giving back to the community will all lead to your next adventure. 

Note: If you are currently looking for a new opportunity ~ follow me for job postings and for reshares of other terrific jobs in market. We are in this together and I hope this helps reinvigorate your job search energies.