You've done everything you can for the past six months to get your desired job, but have not been successful! Try some of the following tips for putting fresh life into your search.
- Reassess your employment goal. Ensure you're still enthusiastic about it, and it's compatible with your purpose, interests, needs, skills and accomplishments.
Continually visualize yourself working happily and productively at this desired job.
- Study content of classifieds. Does your resume and cover letter use the same key words listed in the job description? Human resource personnel screen candidates with a quick look at resumes and letters. Key words describing your skills and experience should closely match the company's stated requirements. Include concrete examples of results you achieved.
Ads also tell you about the corporate culture and structure. The phrase, "hands-on manager wanted by start-up company" tells you that the company is new and perhaps small and informal. When responding to this ad, emphasize your flexibility, creativity and willingness to pitch in. The "line manager needed to implement national policies and procedures" suggests a large, bureaucratic environment. For this ad, highlight skills and values that fit this environment.
Don't just skim your desired occupational section such as accounting, management or social service. Peruse all of the ads to increase your prospects. Matt, a former director of a non-profit social service agency, found his desired position, manager of a nonprofit that builds low-income housing, in the construction section.
Classifieds can also help you identify companies that may be in an active recruitment mode. Although an ad may be directed toward engineers, the company may also need buyers, sales personnel or programmers.
- Use social media to both find jobs and make yourself find-able for recruiters who are consistently searching social media to find people qualified for specific company jobs.
Social media helps recruiters get a clear picture of who you are and what you have done before they talk with you.
They pick up clues about your personality and how you might fit into their corporate culture from what they see online.
Employers learn how well you communicate (your spelling, punctuation, grammar, ability to communicate ideas). They also know your work history, education, industry knowledge, use of alcohol or illegal substances, use of profanity; and how you spend leisure time.
In general, the major social media platforms associated with job search are: LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
Linkedin is the network preferred by most employers and professional/business types. LinkedIn has millions of members in several hundred countries. Use LinkedIn to boost your chances of getting hired through people you know. Check https://www.linkedin.com/jobs and join the Job-Hunt Help LinkedIn Group.
Facebook enables you update your personal profile, make friends, send messages, and notify friends about new happenings including new job interests. Consider joining networks organized by city, workplace, and educational institutions. See Guide to Facebook for Job Search.
Twitter enables users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to the author's subscribers who are known as followers. See Guide to Twitter for Job Search.
- Blogs. Blogs are usually maintained by individuals with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or videos. Many blogs provide information about a particular subject; others function as personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other resources. A number of blogs have interactive formats that enable readers to connect, share ideas.
- Look for hidden job leads. A newspaper article or television story describing a new product may suggest positions with a new company or expansion of a larger one.
- Get outside of your industry. Examine other possibilities. Consider growth industries such as high tech. Erin, a journalist, uses his writing skills as a publications manager with a software manufacturing firm.
Also consider your industry's competitors. For example, airlines compete with teleconference companies. Why travel if personnel can have less costly teleconference meetings on their own turf?
- Contact small companies. Investigate start-ups in your field or related ones. They want professionals with big corporate backgrounds who can bring depth and expertise.
- Maintain contact with your network. Call or email contacts to update them re your "happenings.' Also contact your references to ensure they're still positive. Ask former colleagues if they've been contacted.
- Explore other job finding avenues. Try executive recruiting firms, temp agencies, college placement offices, trade and professional associations and chambers of commerce.
- Polish interview techniques. Are you preparing for interviews by researching the company? Can you give a one-minute commercial illustrating how you can contribute to the company's bottom line? Do you believe you'll succeed? Do you radiate interest and enthusiasm? Answer questions promptly, offering concrete examples?
Send a thank you note within 48 hours after an interview describing what you can offer the company. If you haven't heard from anyone within a month, call. Ask for feedback on your qualifications and interview performance.
- Bottom Line - Attractive jobs are available. They're created by the mobility of the work force -- the deaths, retirements and promotions of current employees -- and the growth of new and thriving companies. A company exists that can use and pay for your expertise.
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Put Fresh Life Into Your Job Search
May 20, 2019