Are you looking for a new job? The job force can be a little daunting if you are a fresh college graduate or someone who hasn’t applied for a new job in several years. There is definitely a system to job hunting and once you figure it out you can start to see results and hopefully get your dream job. This process isn’t cut in stone and can take longer for some people than others. There are some best practices that you can follow to make sure you are an ideal candidate which increases your chances for interviews and job offers.
Job Search Engines
These search engines are used by a lot of employers and are the most common way for companies to post new job openings. There are a lot of search engines out there and it is important to know that different companies post to different job sites. It is good to have several accounts with different search engines to get a broad view of what jobs are available. Monster, Indeed and Glassdoor are all good places to start your job search. You can create an account and save jobs that you are interested and they will track your progress with them, such as applying and interviewing.
Staffing Agencies
This is a great option if you need a job quickly while you are searching for a more permanent one. There are a lot of staffing agencies that specialize in specific jobs such as manual labor, it staffing, and teaching. This is a great way to narrow down your search because you already know what kind of job you want and don’t have to deal with a bunch of other jobs that don’t fit your search. Other agencies specialize in more temporary jobs that are great if you need money now while still searching for a job. You can get in contact with the agency by calling them and making an appointment.
Network
This is so important because a lot of jobs aren’t posted on search engines and are open through word of mouth. LinkedIn is a great place to start because it allows you to connect with people around the world. College is another great place to connect with colleagues and professors. Most people will get jobs based on what they know and who they know. Build a brand for yourself and show people that you are a worthwhile employee and hard worker.
Be Proactive
Don’t sit around and wait for a job offer to fall into your lap. Companies won’t call you asking for an interview if you don’t put some effort into your search. You have to apply to a lot of jobs before getting an interview set up. You may have to email companies after you submit a resume and email them again after they interview you. This shows that you have great communication skills and are interested in the job. Do some serious research before you go to an interview because it lets the interviewer know that you are serious about the job and know the company structure and background.
Be Patient
It can be frustrating not having a job, especially if you are providing for a family or loved ones. Finding a new job does take time so don’t give up hope if you have been applying for jobs for several months. If something doesn’t come up right away, don’t give up hope. While searching for a job it can be a great opportunity to take some feedback and make some changes to your interview approach or resume. This can be beneficial to you in the long run because you will be a better interviewee and job candidate. You can use the support of your friends and family during this new and difficult time. It’s best to keep your head up and know that with hard work and determination you will find a new job that is right for you.
Author bio:
Kevin Gardner graduated with a BS in Computer Science and an MBA from UCLA. He works as a business consultant for InnovateBTS where he helps companies with staffing, training, and retention. He shares his knowledge and expertise not only with his clients but with his fellow bloggers and readers.
