Author: Liz Frome
Author: Liz Frome
Have you ever thought about exploring a new career or leaving your job – now is the time to truly sit down and consider if the job you currently have is for you!
Statistics suggest 93% of employers plan to hire in 2022. Salaries are expected to increase across several industries.
This is a really great time to be a job seeker; you’re in the driver’s seat. There are a lot of open positions, and companies are considering all kinds of incentives to recruit folks; job seekers have a lot more ability to negotiate, and you can really take advantage of this time to get what you want from your new possible job.
Searching for a new job can be exciting, but it can also be intimidating. You might find yourself constantly refreshing your email, waiting for an update from a recruiter, or getting stage fright before an interview.
Here are some tips that can boost your confidence and help you feel more confident about the job search:
Set up job alerts
There’s a trick for standing out in the application process, and it’s all about timing be first and fast.
If you see a job that interests you, do not wait more than 24 hours to send in your application. Ideally, you want to apply the same day.
Being one of the first candidates to respond to a job posting gives you an edge in finding a great opportunity. You can set up job alerts to be emailed to your inbox for positions that fit your preferred job title, field, location, and salary expectations. You can set these alerts on such platforms like: Monster, LinkedIn and Indeed.
Know what you want – and why / BIG TIP!
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in your job search is not knowing what you’re looking for in your next role, or what your deal breakers are.
Be clear about why you’re making a career change; is it because you’re unhappy at work? Or are you craving a change because the world is crazy right now? Once you know what you want, what you don’t want and why, it makes it a lot easier to be clear about your job search.
It’s important to avoid throwing your resume up against the wall and seeing what sticks. Recruiters can sense if a candidate isn’t serious. (Keep in mind do not burn any bridges. With everyone on social platforms it is easy to hunt you down!)
To determine what your wants and deal-breakers may be; ask yourself a series of questions.
Here are some possible questions to ask yourself:
What do I need from work?
What are my values?
What role do I want work to play in my life?
Is my job work or is it my passion?
Once you sit down and answer these questions then searching for a job will be easier as you will have narrowed down what you want.
Expand your network
If you’re hitting a wall in your career search, you should try reaching out to other professionals who work in your field or have careers that you admire. Simply taking this step may help you find inspiration which can often lead to new opportunities.
Reach out to your school’s career office, any alumni associations you’re a member of, friends, relatives or tapping social media to find new connections. (There are in person networking events starting – Yeah!)
Twitter is a great place for networking conversations. You can send someone a message mentioning that a recent post they made connected with you, that it’s a topic you’re interested in, and ask if they have 15 minutes to chat about their work sometime over the next few weeks.
Keep in mind to be prepared with your networking calls.
Some possible questions to ask:
What do you know now about the industry that you wish you knew when you started?
Are there any online lectures, talks or online programs you would recommend?
What skills do I need to succeed in this role?
Even when you face rejection, or start to lose patience during the job search, keeping an open mind and positive attitude will get you one step closer to landing your dream role. Always be willing to learn and stay focused on your end-goal. You might discover a new job that you hadn’t considered pursuing before.
The Job Shop is here to partner with you on your job search; so, reach out!
Happy 2022 and keep looking for your next career and remember to always stay positive.
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." Les Brown, motivational speaker
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