Welcome to the World Academy blog series. In these posts, our very own HR department shares valuable tips and insight to help you unlock your financial good in your career as well as your finances.
“How’s the job search going?”
It’s a question you might dread answering. There are plenty of open positions, but so many applicants that it can feel like you’re swimming in a sea of opportunities without getting wet. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged when you apply for job after job and hear nothing back.
We’re here to help you navigate the open waters of your job search. These tips are powerful yet simple ways to find – and get hired for – the job you want.
Get Clear About What You Want
- Be Selective
- You might think that the more types of positions you apply for, the better your chances of getting hired. While that makes sense in theory, you should also consider what happens after you get hired. If you’re hired in a role that you’d rather not take or that doesn’t really match your best skills, you might grow to resent it, putting you right back where you are now. Be selective in your intentions and be selective in your search. You’ll be able to give your best in a role that you’re well suited to – and that you want to be in.
- Do Your Research
- It is just as important for a company to meet your qualifications as it is for you to meet theirs. When a job listing catches your eye, take time to look into the company. Find out who they are, what they do, how they are perceived by their clients, customers, or peers. Use your findings to target subjects in your cover letter, ask informed questions in an interview, and help you decide if you want to work there.
Think Outside the Box
- Get Resume Help
- You don’t need a professional to edit and tweak your resume, but you also don’t have to do it alone. Ultimately, your resume is for someone else’s eyes, so put it in front of someone else. That may be a friend, family member, former coworker, mentor – anyone who knows you well enough to give you feedback on whether your resume adequately reflects your strengths and offerings. Keep it to one page, keep it skimmable, but make sure the information is robust and that your personality comes through.
- Reach Out to Humans
- Online job searches and applications are convenient, but remember that sea of opportunities? It turns into a sea of applicants, too. Set yourself apart by networking. Find an email address that belongs to a person at the company, introduce yourself to potential peers and ask about their experiences. When you as a person are on the company’s radar, you’re more likely to be remembered in the sea of applicants.
Make Yourself Memorable
- Be Active on LinkedIn
- Not only can you search for and apply for jobs on LinkedIn, your profile also instantly gives you visibility to recruiters and would-be employers. Use it as another, more social place for people to see your work history, as well as an opportunity to show more personality and interest. Recruiters are already on there – make sure that you are, too.
- Believe in Thank-You Notes
- When you get a call back on an application, send an email of thanks. When you get an interview, send a handwritten thank you note. It may sound gimmicky, but it’s not. Thank you notes are a timeless and decisive way to show thoughtfulness – and that you are serious about the job.
Don’t get overwhelmed by the landscape of job searches today. Instead, take a deep breath and remember these tips. Good luck out there!
On the job hunt? We’re always looking for people to join our team. Check out open positions at careersbyworld.com.