Job Search Tips
There are many resources available for job seekers. It can be overwhelming to know where to start, and how to search effectively.
In this article you will learn how to:
- Prepare for your job search
- Search job boards effectively
- Other key resources for finding jobs
Prepare Your Material
Update Your Resume
Updating your resume is an excellent first step in the job search process. You’ll need to tailor your resume as you apply for each job. However, the process of updating your resume will help you hone in on your skills, identify your strengths, and ultimately guide your job search process.
Tailor your resume as you apply for each job.
Create or Update your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is the largest professional social network, and as such it is a valuable tool for networking, searching for jobs, and being found by potential employers. Creating an account or updating your existing account is simple if you’ve recently updated your resume. Using your resume as a base, simply follow the LinkedIn prompts to update each section.
Add a professional picture. If you don't have a professional picture you can easily obtain one at your local portrait studio. If that's not an option, wear your nicest business suit, find an appropriate background or blank wall and ask a friend or colleague to snap a picture of you. Don’t use a selfie or a group photo that has been cropped.
Ask for endorsements and recommendations in groups related to your industry. Reach out to former colleagues to ask for endorsements. Often endorsing someone else will prompt them to endorse you in return.
Search Job Boards Effectively
Common Job Boards
Use job boards such as Career Builder, Monster, and LinkedIn to search for open positions that companies have posted. Check back regularly or turn on alerts to be notified when new positions are added.
Aggregators search other sites and pull job postings onto their site.
Job Board Aggregators such as Indeed.com work by searching other sites (including other job boards such as Career Builder and Monster) for job postings and pulling them to their own page. This means they tend to be more comprehensive since they are collecting from multiple sites.
The down side of job aggregators is they may not connect with more niche sites. This means you still should search industry specific boards or companies to find additional jobs.
Use Effective Search Terms
As you are searching for jobs, use a variety of words to identify positions which may have different titles, but be the type of work you are looking for. As an example, someone searching for positions as a buyer might also search for purchasing or contract management.
Post your resume
Most people are familiar with using job boards to search for positions. Many of the job boards that are most useful allow you to upload your resume as well. This makes your resume available for employers to search which means your job search is happening 24/7.
Make your resume available 24/7 for employers to find you.
Load resumes to multiple job boards. Your resume is usually only available to employers who are paying to post positions or otherwise use the site. Many companies will only be paying for one job board, so loading your resume to multiple job boards will increase your exposure to potential employers.
Set your LinkedIn profile that you are job searching. This will be visible only to recruiters. LinkedIn has measures in place to minimize the chance that someone at your current company will find you.
Other Key Resources
Leverage your connections to help you find and land a job. Reach out to your network of colleagues and personal friends. Prepare an elevator pitch or sample phrases you can use to easily communicate what types of jobs you’re searching for.
Work with a recruiter / headhunter.
Search for individual companies you want to work for. Go directly to their sites to look for open positions.
Search industry specific websites and job boards, including membership organizations, and associations that support your industry.
Explore additional options such as your college’s alumni network, accrediting agencies, and your local chamber of commerce.
What steps will you take today to start or continue your job search?
