Looking for a new job can be stressful. Setting up interviews, updating your resume, and contacting multiple employers can feel overwhelming. However, there are ways to make your search less difficult. Keep reading for four strategies that will make things easier when you’re hunting for your next job.
1. Get a Tech Assist With Your Resume
One of the keys to getting a callback is having a solid resume. And no, that doesn’t necessarily mean a long string of grand experiences and previous jobs. Those are great, but if you don’t portray them properly in a resume, they can fall flat in an employer’s eyes. Putting effort into this important document is part of what will get you hired.
When crafting a resume, there are many rules to follow. For example, many employers prefer you not go past one page in length; otherwise, it can come across as embellishing yourself. In addition, it’s essential to follow the correct format, whether that’s chronological or functional. All the unwritten expectations can make the whole process daunting for many people.
Luckily, with new technology like an AI resume builder, you can ease the stress of creating the perfect resume. You simply enter your information, choose a template, and watch as the computer does the work. You can even tailor your qualifications specifically for each job you apply for. So don’t hesitate to use technology to your advantage during your job hunt.
2. Use Virtual Job Boards
Here’s another way technology can help your job search. Virtual job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor will give you access to an expansive network of employers. These sites serve as a virtual bulletin board where companies can post job openings. These openings may be right in your local area or remote opportunities anywhere in the world. You’ll be able to see all these jobs and apply for them online with just a few clicks.
Many virtual job boards also let you create a profile to make the application process faster. You can upload your resume and add a photo so employers can get an accurate representation of you.
The days of checking the newspaper classifieds or walking into a building and asking for an application are long over. Now everything is at your fingertips, making job hunting a bit easier and certainly much faster.
3. Build a Network
Many times, one of the key factors to getting a job is having the right connections. Knowing someone who works at a specific company or getting a positive recommendation from an authority figure are both examples. Having these types of connections will give you a leg up in your attempt to land a job.
If you’re a high school or college student, cultivate good relationships with teachers and professors, which could yield letters of recommendation to future employers. Schools often host job fairs where you can meet with company representatives and exchange contact information. Additionally, many clubs and organizations provide pathways to landing a job in your desired field. This might include hosting guest speakers from companies in that field, which would put you in contact with possible future employers.
If you’re already employed in a professional career, you can still branch out and make connections. Industry conferences, client interactions, and professional societies all offer ways to meet people who can put you in touch with new opportunities. With these connections, you can work your way up or even transition to an entirely different career.
4. Expand Your Horizons
One thing to remember when looking for a job is that you can’t be too narrowly focused. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as the perfect job — you’ll always find something you won’t enjoy about any position. However, that doesn’t mean you should necessarily rule out those jobs.
You should certainly have an idea of what you want in a position and establish boundaries regarding what you’re not willing to do. However, don’t make those boundaries too rigid, or your job hunt could be fruitless. It can be eye-opening to try something different. Sometimes this is how people discover their passions, so don’t overlook certain positions just because they stray from your original search.
In addition, sometimes you have to gain experience at a lower level before qualifying for the job you want. If that’s the case in your field, you really can’t afford to be too picky. Remember that the entry-level position is temporary and all part of your pathway to success. Some of the most successful people started out at the lowliest levels of the working world. You can rise up and achieve great things, too.
Keep a Positive Mindset
While you can do everything possible to make your job hunt easier, sometimes there’s no avoiding the anxiety that can creep in. The anticipation and hope that you feel while you wait for an interview can make you feel nervous. Not hearing back from an employer can be discouraging — and getting a rejection even more so. However, it’s important to stay as positive as you can during this process. To paraphrase Theodore Roosevelt, nothing worth doing is easy, so keep your head up. You’ve got this.
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