The job search process can be difficult and overwhelming, especially if you haven’t done it for some time. If you’ve worked for a company for many years and a big life change made you decide you need a shift in your career, getting back in the saddle of a job hunter can be a daunting task.
For plenty of people, the big question is—How and where do I begin?
In this article, we’re going to help you get back on track by covering some of the essential steps for a successful job search, including:
- Set up your goals
- Find the companies you want to work for
- Update and polish your CV
- Network as much as you can
- Prepare for the interview
- Keep trying
Set Up Your Goals
Before you can start your job search properly, you need to set up concrete goals. For starters, you need to decide what you want to do. Evaluate your skills and interests, and identify what the next step for your career should be.
Do you want to stick to a familiar niche or try something new? What kind of work environment suits you, and what salary will you be satisfied with? You can write down all the important questions you come up with and dedicate some time to answering them.
Find the Companies You Want To Work For
When you’ve set your priorities straight, it’s time to do your research. Use all the sources at your disposal, such as LinkedIn, job portals, and local newspapers, to find the companies that you’d like to work for. Create a list of the ones you’re most interested in and check them out online. Look at their job ads and see what kind of candidates they’re after. This will help you tailor your job applications in line with the listed requirements.
Update and Polish Your CV
If you haven’t been job hunting for a while, you need to update your CV with all the skills and experiences you’ve gained. Present them clearly and concisely, highlighting what you excel at. Check out some of the professional templates online if you determine that the CV looks outdated, and make sure that it’s as presentable as it can be.
You should tailor your CV to each company that you want to apply for. Keep in mind that recruiters go through plenty of applications and give only so much time to each of them. Determine what skills the company is looking for and highlight them in your bullets and work history. This includes both hard and soft skills.
Network As Much As You Can
Networking is crucial for landing the job that you want. The more people you have in your network, the better are the chances of getting hired. First, get in touch with all the people you know from your previous work experiences. They might know someone important in the company you’re interested in. Let them know that you’re looking for a job and see if they can help you in some way, such as asking them for a recommendation.
You should use different channels to expand your network. Join social media groups and see if you can find people willing to lend you a hand. If you can, set up an informal meeting with them. They might not only provide you with valuable information about a company but also with an easier way in.
Prepare for the Interview
When you receive an invitation for an interview, you need to prepare. Even if you’ve already looked into the company, you should do thorough research until you’ve got a comprehensive understanding of its goals, vision, people, products, etc. Chances are that the interviewer will ask what you know about the organization.
Before you go to the meeting, you should prepare answers to some of the most common questions. You also need to have an engaging story about your past challenges and experiences. When the interviewer asks whether you have any questions, you should have several relevant and meaningful ones. Do your best to show the hiring manager what you’re all about and how you can be a strong asset to the company.
Keep Trying
If you fail the first job interview, you need to keep trying. It’s important that you don’t get discouraged. Try to figure out what went wrong and learn from the experience.
Stick to your list of companies and keep updating it whenever you come across a compelling job ad or a business that you’d like to work for. Keep applying for ads and going to interviews until you land the job that you’re after.
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