- Know your career Targets.
- Plan your job search ahead.
- Succeed in your current job so that you have relevant achievements you can use in future job application
- Work on your resume
- Customize your cover letter.
- Use all job search resources Available.
- Research companies.
- Ensure that your application is thoroughly proofread before applying/ sending to potential employer.
- Schedule informational interviews.
- Network regularly.
- Identify examples of your skills.
- Prepare for interviews.
- Follow up.
- Commit to Continuous skills Acquisition/ Self development.
Know Your Career Targets.
To make your job search effective, to make it smooth running, identify what type of career you want. This is particularly important for people entering the workforce for the first time or changing careers. This step can help you to narrow your job search to positions you are passionate about and posts that will help you advance professionally.
Plan your job search ahead.
Make sure you have a clear and realistic goal, in terms of the position you seek, the company you want to join, and your networking targets. Determine how you plan to reach those targets and note what qualifies you for that career path.
Organize yourself and your schedule to search for jobs more efficiently. Determine how many hours per day or what days of the week you will dedicate to job hunting or networking. Make sure your resume and cover letter are up to date. Have a list of two to three references and their contact information ready to provide employers.
Create or update your profile on professional networking websites and create a spreadsheet to note the jobs you have applied for and the interviews you have received. You might also choose to set up a professional email account to keep your job search messages separate and organized from your personal ones. Completing these steps before starting your job search can make the process faster and easier
Also, get recommendations from family, professors, a career coach or former coworkers.
Succeed In Your Current Job If you are currently employed and looking for a better or different career, continue to perform your current job with positive commitment. It gives you relevant foundation or building blocks you can use in the future.
Maintain good relationships with your coworkers and managers as long as you’re working with them. Your professional attitude and efforts can result in job references or opportunities in the future. You certainly do not want to lose an important opportunity because a former boss could not spare you a bad reference.
Work on your resume
Customize your resume to each job you apply for. To do that well, study the job description to understand what the company needs, to determine why you are a great fit. Then, add your skills, experience and measurable achievements that are relevant to that position. Hiring managers who look through many resumes should be able to read yours and quickly know you have the skills for the position.
To simplify this step, have templates of your resume customize. Keep key sections such as your education and contact information the same, but personalize your abilities or past job duties to fit the job you are applying for.
Proofread your resume for errors and also ask a friend, family member, coworker, career counselor or other professional to proofread your resume, as well as to offer advice.
Customize your cover letter.
Customize your cover letter to each job you apply for. Have a template of your cover letter ready to customize and proofread for errors.
Use All Job Search Resources AvailableRather than limiting yourself to manual online searches, take advantage of all job search options. This might include reaching out to companies or hiring managers in person, contacting your connections for leads, attending career fairs, searching social media or using a career counseling service.
Use job search engines to find openings on job boards, company websites, professional associations and more. Sign up for daily or weekly job alerts by email
Research Companies
When you find job listings that interest you, research the hiring companies before applying. This can provide you with information about their company culture, benefits and salary range, products and services and work environment. Your research will tell you whether you want to or are qualified to work for that company. It also gives you valuable information you can reference in your cover letter or interview.
Schedule Informational Interviews
Informational interviews are informal conversations with professionals in an industry or a company you might want to work for. Find out whether you are a good fit for a job by requesting informational interviews with someone working in a field that interests you. Search for potential interview subjects on professional networking sites or member organizations.
Network regularly
Interact with people and develop professional contacts both online and in person. Start conversations with people at seminars, social events or appointments. Let them know you’re looking for a job or want to work in a certain industry. They might have connections or advice that can help you in your job search. You might also discover unlisted job openings or people might recommend you for future opportunities.
Identify examples of your skills
People tend to remember engaging stories and examples over lists of facts. Plan ahead by identifying personal experiences or accomplishments that highlight the skills needed for a certain job. Add these to your cover letter and use them during networking opportunities or job interviews. Use the STAR method—situation, task, action and result—to tell your story effectively.
Prepare for interviews
Research common interview questions, create responses for them and practice those responses before you get invited to an interview. Ask a friend or professional contact to do a practice interview with you. If you are well-prepared, you will be more confident and comfortable when you go into your next interview.
Be mindful of your online presence
Some hiring managers look at an applicant's social media to learn more about them. Always be mindful of the type of content you share on social media. Keep it courteous and professional. If you don't want an employer to see your postings, make sure to set your profiles to private.
Follow up
Immediately after a job interview, send the hiring manager a thank-you note. If you have not heard back from them after a week, follow up with a phone call or an email. When doing so, show your excitement and interest in the job. Make sure that your email is personalized or sent to a named person. Avoid using "To whom it may concern or Dear Sir/Madam". While you wait for a response, continue searching for and applying to jobs that interest you.
In your follow-up mail, explain that you are still interested in the position and enjoyed speaking with them. This shows employers that you are courteous and professional.
Commit to Continuous skills Acquisition/ Self development
If you are just entering the workforce or starting a new career, you might need more training or experience to get a job. Consider getting an internship or volunteering with an organization in your desired industry while applying for jobs. Use these opportunities to expand your network of contacts or advance to a full-time position. You might also take online courses or attend workshops to build certain skills or learn technologies and processes relevant to your industry. Update your resume as you gain more experience or accomplishments.
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