Out of work? Do these things every day to further your job search
Even though it can be great to have enough free time in the day to snooze till noon, read your favourite book and catch up on the latest episodes of Narcos, many people can get depressed and sad about having to look for employment. The fact of the matter is that your job search starts the day you stop working. Don’t wait a few months to determine that you will look for another job. The key is to do something every day when it comes to finding a new place of employment.
As a result, here are 8 tips on how to do an effective job search.
1. Determine specifically what you want to do:
When you need the money, you need to take whatever you can get — but this doesn’t mean you have to stop looking for a better job. Determine what your skill sets and talents are and write down three jobs you’d like to have. Once you have those three jobs, start to look for companies that might offer these type of positions.
2. Volunteer:
If nobody will hire you because you lack the experience, your best bet is to do some volunteer work to get some experience. A few hours a week can give you real-life skills that you can put down on your resume and will increase your chances of getting that job down the road.
3. Apply to small companies:
Large companies get a ton of job applicants when a position opens. This reduces your chances of getting a job because you’ll lose out to someone who has more experience. The trick is to apply for companies with between one and 20 employees. You’ll stand out more in the pool of applicants, and the manager may be more willing to train you.
4. Network, and be creative:
As always ask your friends and relatives if they know of anyone who would hire someone with your background. You may get lucky and find someone. It’s always important to let as many people as possible know that you’re looking for a job in a particular field.
There are also many nonprofit agencies that offer career classes in networking effectively. Or even go to your local book store and read a book on how to conduct an effective job search.
5. Study your favourite companies:
If you have two to three companies in mind, try to learn about their managerial structure and company culture. Determine how things work, who is in charge of making the hiring decisions, and then contact the appropriate people. Research the companies you’re interested in. If you graduated from college, check out your college’s career center and get some valuable information.
6. Don’t rely on HR:
Don’t spend too much time working with HR. Fill out the necessary applications and whatever is required of you — that’s all. Try to find out who’s the manager in charge of the department you’d like to work for, and reach out to them. Focus your job efforts on those supervisors who have the power to hire you instead of relying on Human Resources.
7. Be flexible, and look outward:
If you can’t find a job in a particular field, try to find something that might be similar. Spread out your job search net as wide as possible. The more companies you find that use your skills, the better. Remember, it’s all about building up your experience.
8. Keep updating your skill sets:
Get into the habit of updating your skills, even during a long job search. Learning how to use the latest computer software, for instance, will help you keep you current — and valuable — in today’s market. Continuous education could be the key to getting that job that you want. There’s always something to learn.
If you have trouble managing your anxiety of being unemployed, then talking to a counselor can be helpful. Remember that people lose their jobs all the time and they are able to find other jobs. Just don’t let your fears and worries get the better of you.
