Randstad's website, Indeed, Glassdoor, Google for Jobs, Jobcentre, job boards, LinkedIn; each one of these is what you would call a job finder. But with an endless choice of jobs online, where or even how do you start your job search? Google is the go to, first point of call for a job search. According to Business.com 30% of all Google searches, which is around 300 million per month, are job related. Sifting through the results could be a long and stressful task when, for example, a simple "labourers in London" search brings back 2.7 million results.
So how do you perfect your job search to make sure you see the most relevant jobs you're after at the top of the search? We'll cover off the following topics to get you well on your way:
- Competition
- Research
- Following up
- Taking a break
job searching.
First thing each morning, check the job listings. There are other people out there who would like to have the job you're applying for, and being among the first to apply can put you in a better position.
Expect fierce competition, so don't delay too long before you apply. Research varies, but around 250 CVs are received for each job vacancy with responses arriving quickly after the posting. Don't sacrifice quality for speed though. Grammar and spelling mistakes are still one of the biggest reasons CVs are rejected. Speed up your response rate by signing up for alerts which tell you when relevant jobs are advertised.
researching jobs.
A new job presents the ability for you to apply your skills in a different way. Do your research to find new positions that you can enter that match your skill set or you're able to apply your transferable skills to. If extracurricular activities help you fit the job requirements, take night courses or online seminars to expand your employability.
You also need to show you've made an effort. Prove to the hiring manager that you've read the job description and that your CV reflects the role requirements. Focus on the "so what?" of what you've done - what value is it to a potential employer? Along with the scope of your role, targets and responsibilities, highlight your achievements and how you've used your skills to problem solve or contribute towards a business success story. Failing to do this can make a recruiter wonder if you're really bothered about the opportunity.
LinkedIn as a place to find jobs.
Recruiters are using this network for professionals more and more frequently to find new talent. According to LinkedIn's statistics 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn for candidate sourcing. By setting up a LinkedIn account and tailoring a well-worded outline of your career, employers can actually find your profile when searching for related keywords, meaning that simply by having a LinkedIn account you're passively accruing job leads.
Keeping your positions up to date can also make you 18 times more likely to be found in searches. On LinkedIn, you can upload your CV, your friends and co-workers can endorse you for certain skills and even write letters of recommendation for you.
following up on your job applications.
If you haven't heard back on job applications you have submitted, it is a good idea to wait at least a week to follow up. Sometimes, expressing further interest in a job can get you pushed up in the application process. If you receive a definitive no, you can remove that job from your list and move on.<
taking a break for your job search.
It may sound simple, but sometimes what you really need is to get away from the stress of job searching. If you can afford to, give yourself permission to take a week or two off. You will be surprised how your outlook can change. Searching multiple times each day can be exhausting and you might end up applying for roles that you aren't completely sold on.
Sometimes all it takes is a little adjustment for things to click. Be open to making some changes in your job search strategy, and before you know it, you will be the one dispensing job search advice.
