Don’t know where to start? Head over heels because of your recent dismissal, fears of the unknown, and worries about your future financial well-being?
Here are some tips to help you pull yourself together and start a focused job search.
Primary Job Search Tips
1. Determine what skills and expertise you have to offer employers.
Consider altogether your most recent work experience as well as skills and competencies applicable to other industries.
2. Update your resume and prepare a portfolio (job seeker folder).
JobChase has a lot of materials on this topic.
3. Post or update your resumes on various job sites.
Depending on the geography of your search, these may be local, statewide (federal), or international job search platforms.
4. Use social media, both professional and general.
There you can search for vacancy announcements, look for information about companies and industries you are interested in, and, what’s even more valuable, find contacts of HR managers, company executives, and other decision-makers.
5. Participate in professional events in your industry (conferences, seminars, trainings, exhibitions, etc.)
Such events are a great opportunity to make useful contacts, learn about companies and even job openings they have.
6. Contact recruiters and employment agencies.
While many job seekers prefer to interact directly with employers, recruiting agencies can often be very much helpful. If only because they can provide outside advice.
7. Attend job fairs, career fairs and forums that can be parts of larger events such as industrial shows.
To do this, look at the details of the events, not just their names.
8. Keep in touch with your former colleagues.
Tell them about your situation, remind them of yourself periodically, and spend time together.
9. Look for jobs in new business niches or industries.
And that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to make a dramatic career change.
10. Consider freelance work or even running your own mini business.
This could be the provision of any services to individuals or companies, tutoring, consulting, needlework, trade, work as an independent agent (advertising, sales, real estate), MLM, etc. Such self-employment can be a good help if your job search drags on.
11. Prepare for interviews by thinking through your questions and answers based on your particular situation and your previous interviews.
Again, you can find plenty of advice on this topic on JobChase.
12. Be prepared to compromise on salary.
Asking too much can make you miss out on a very good career option.
13. Expand your circle of acquaintances.
This is especially important for young professionals, or, for example, when you are looking for a job in another region.
14. Learn new skills and technologies to increase your value on the labor market.
Attend various trainings and courses to expand and pump up your professional competences. This includes both online and offline trainings.
15. Look for internship or volunteer opportunities to gain additional experience.
Don’t get hung up on the goal of starting earning your maximum paycheck in the first month.
16. Talk to an employment consultant.
Especially if your job search progress has stalled. It’s worth it.
17. Stay positive and don’t get discouraged, even if the search takes a long time.
Analyze your actions, your interview experience. Continue to monitor job openings and look for new ways to reach employers, be savvy and reasonably creative.
We wish you the best of luck in finding a job as soon as possible!
