Top strategies for a successful job search

A job search can be time-consuming and frustrating. Especially with the economy in a slowdown, it is even harder to find your dream job in a short period of time. To maximize your success in finding the job you want, follow the following top strategies for a successful job search.

Know your strength.

Before you start looking for jobs, make sure you know where you excel. Add to your CV/resume all the qualifications and job experience you have. If needed, take courses that can help you in your future job. Your aim is not to collect any achievement you had in your life but highlight the ones that are relevant for your dream job. For example, if you are applying for a manager position, highlight the times where you had to lead and/or manage a team. If you are trying to become a lead engineer, make sure your employer knows your previous works as an engineer and as a team leader. 

Digital presence is key.

While there are offline job searches available, an overwhelming number of jobs are found through online methods. To ensure you are found in this online sea of candidates, make sure your digital presence is strong and visible. By online presence, we mean having complete and strong job-related social media profiles, profiles in professional networking sites and profiles in job-search platforms. Your profile should include basic information like your qualifications and work experience as well as your goals in your career progression. 

Also, add keywords that are used for candidates with your skillset. This makes it easier for a hiring manager to find you. And finally, be active in all these sites/platforms. Missing a job opportunity simply because you did not reach back a potential employer is one of the worst things that can happen during a job search.

Use the keywords in your search.

Once you start looking for jobs in search engines, you will notice that there are certain keywords that appear more in job descriptions of your interest. Take note of them and use these keywords to make sure you see all job opportunities for you. This will also help you narrow down your search results. If you could not find a job opportunity immediately, subscribe to these keywords so you are notified when job applications that contain these keywords appear on job search engines. The most popular job search engines like Indeed.com, Reed.co.uk and others have this feature. 

Customize your Resume and Cover Letter

When trying to find a job, most people tend to cover as many job applications as possible and send the same resume and cover letter to all applications. This is one of the biggest mistakes to make in a job search. A standard resume and a cover letter that is not tailored to the employer is a first sign for the hiring manager that the candidate is lazy. Such applications do not stand out of hundreds of applications. In fact, when employers see these kinds of resumes, they automatically discard the application and never come back. 

Hence, take time to tailor each application. Learn about the company, its mission, read the job description carefully and show in your resume and cover letter that you have experience in jobs with a similar job description. Also, show your enthusiasm, nobody wants to hire a person who does not show enthusiasm for that specific position.

Network regularly

We cannot focus enough on how much networking is important in finding a job. In fact, it is the most effective job searching strategy available. The more people you connect with on LinkedIn or on job fairs, or anywhere, the higher your chances of learning about open positions. Do not hesitate to connect with anyone since you do not which contact may be able to help you with your job search or connect you with someone who can. You can also set up informational interviews with industry professionals which will help you be more knowledgeable and connect with these individuals. Also, do not forget to join LinkedIn groups so you have more people to connect with and possibly access job listings that are only posted on those groups. 

Finally, if there are job fairs or conferences (offline or digital) in your vicinity or in large cities, participate in them. You will familiarize yourself with developments in the business world and will have a chance to meet new people and connect with them face-to-face. 

Timing is important.

According to observations, your application is most likely to go through if you have submitted them on Mondays. The reason for this is Monday is the first day of the week and hiring managers are not overwhelmed by other tasks so they are more likely to view your application at a normal pace. Your chances decrease by 10% each next weekday. 

Another interesting observation is that sending your application early in the morning of Monday (between 7 am and 9 am) can be beneficial. You catch hiring managers at the start of the workday before they get flooded with other tasks and it gives the impression that you are an enthusiastic early-bird-type candidate.

How to handle job rejection

If you have ever searched for a job, you have probably been rejected even after an interview. Fortunately, this is what happens to almost all candidates regardless of their value. If you have been rejected, do not hurry to close the doors. Send an email thanking them for the time they took to interview you. Ask for feedback so you know what was the exact reason they did not think you fit their company. This will help you in your future job search.

Moreover, there are other possible benefits. For example, the person who was hired might not work out for that company. So, the employer will have to look at the list of candidates again and your letter will make you stand out from the crowd. Also, the company might have a similar job opening in future and they might call you for this opportunity. Finally, the hiring manager might know of another company that could use your skills. 

Overall, make sure you stay positive and approach each opportunity with enthusiasm. Your job search might take longer depending on what type of job you are looking for, but with a positive attitude, everything is possible. Good luck with your job search!