Below are 10 ways you can spice up your job search right now to get a leg up ahead of the competition – and get the job you want.
1. Narrow your search You‟re more likely to find what you are looking for if you can be as specific about your ideal job as possible. Don‟t waste your time applying to jobs that you‟re not qualified for or don‟t really want. Jobungo has hundreds of thousands of job postings, so refine your search by trying different keywords for the job title, skills, or company you want. Once you select your city, try using the „search radius‟ filter (located to the left of your search results) to limit job postings to a certain distance away from your location. You can also choose how many „days back‟ the job posting is, but remember: job postings older than 30 days are often still good, so applying to them is still worthwhile.
2. Apply directly
Look beyond the job listings you find posted on job search sites. If you know the industry or company you want to work for, target that industry or company. Go to that company‟s website; many have a “careers” page where you can search and apply for jobs. Try contacting the company‟s hiring manager. Or find and Talk to someone who works for the company you want to work for
they may be able to get you a job through the company‟s employee referral program.
3. Make connections
It‟s not what you know, or even who you know – it‟s who knows you. Learn to make every face-to-face encounter an opportunity to network. Talk to new people, stay in touch with people you know, and be a good listener. Smile. Be sure to tell people that you are looking for a job, and ask them to keep an eye out and help you with your search. Make, carry around, and give out business cards that have your contact information on them.
4. Rehearse an elevator pitch An elevator pitch is a carefully crafted description of yourself that quickly and simply describes what you do and why an employer should hire you. It should be delivered in 30 to 60 seconds – about the amount of time spent in an elevator, hence the name. Make it as clear, powerful, and as concise as possible. Think of it as your own movie trailer – full of flash and bang, hints at the story, but without giving away the ending, making the observer say “Wow” and wanting to see the full movie. Rehearse it, so that you can deliver it on a whim. Even if you never get to use it for someone, it is a great exercise because it forces you to define who you are and what you do in just a few words.
5. Google yourself
Many employers do background checks on job candidates by searching their name online and seeing what comes up. Remember that what you do and say online is remarkably easy to track. If you search your name and find anything embarrassing or inappropriate that could hurt your chances of getting the job, do everything you can to take that content down! You can do damage control by setting your social networking settings to “private,” but if there is any doubt, the safest thing to do is take it out.
6. Learn new skills
Stay up-to-date on technology, industry trends, and any other evolving skillsets that are important to your personal and professional self-development. Look into getting an advanced degree, such as a Masters or PhD. Take classes online or at a community college to add new skills or further advance the skills you have now. Try volunteering at a non-profit organization. You‟ll gain skills that will make you more valuable to employers.
7. Research
Get to know as much as possible about the field, the companies, and the available positions as possible. Scour the company‟s website for “about us” pages, career pages, “Meet the Team” pages, and press releases. Find the company‟s LinkedIn groups and profiles, Twitter accounts, and Facebook pages. Not only is this good preparation for the job interview, but you will also be the first to find out about that company‟s job openings.
8. Get social
Join Facebook and Twitter if you have not already done so. Then, look for ways to harness these social networks to aid your job search. Is there a friend or relative in your network you haven‟t spoken to in a while that might know someone at such-and-such company who can find a position for you? Pose an insightful job-related question to your followers on Twitter, or connect with recruiting companies on Facebook via their Facebook Pages or Groups. Don‟t be afraid to ask for what you need, but remember to give back generously to others in your network in their time of need.
9. Stay positive
Job searching is often slow and frustrating. Don‟t get discouraged! Let go of negativity and past regrets, and refuse to let yourself believe that everyone hates you (they don‟t) or that the world is out to get you (it‟s not). If the stress is too much, put away the job search for the day, get a good nights rest, and come back the next day, reenergized and focused. Interviewers like to see candidates who are energetic and enjoy a challenge. Prove to yourself that you‟re worth it, and then prove to the recruiter that you are the person they are looking for. If it doesn‟t work out, try again elsewhere. Spice it up! Studies from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that people who use many job search methods find jobs faster than those who only use one or two. Try these tips to reinvigorate your job search, so you can get back to doing what you‟re truly passionate about.
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