Having switched careers five times over five years, I’ve gathered a wealth of insight about job hunting and securing employment. The factors influencing these transitions ranged from personal aspirations to climb the corporate hierarchy to drastic economic changes. The financial crisis of 2009, for instance, led to significant downsizing in numerous companies.
Proudly, I wear a badge of honor when peers seek my counsel on job hunting tips, noting my successful track-record within a short duration. Here are some lessons I picked up on my job searching journey that I wish someone had told me:
1. JOB SEARCHING IS YOUR NEW FULL-TIME JOB
If you’re earnest about landing a job, treat your hunt like a full-time job. At one point, several hours of my day involved scouring job websites like monster.com, LinkedIn, glassdoor.com, indeed.com, and trud.co.uk.
Signing up for job alerts eased my process, as it helped me stay updated about new opportunities in my field. Job searching isn’t a casual glance activity; it requires genuine effort and time investment.
2. TREAT EACH JOB AS UNIQUE
Avoid the pitfall of mass submitting identical resumes to different jobs. Instead, dedicate some extra time to adapt every resume to the specific job you plan to apply for.
For instance, suppose you’re a marketing expert and a job requires online messaging expertise. Highlight your online messaging experience prominently and elaboratively. Your goal is to meet the prospective employer’s desires promptly, landing you in the ‘interview’ rather than the ‘discard’ pile.
3. BE THE EARLY BIRD
Having experienced a whole day of interviews, I can confirm it’s much simpler to impress at the day’s outset rather than its end.
By day’s end, I’ve heard it all, and standing out requires a significant ‘wow’ factor. The first interview creates a benchmark against which subsequent candidates are evaluated. So, secure that first interview appointment and aim to impress immediately.
4. NETWORK OUTSIDE THE CONVENTIONAL BOUNDARIES
Interestingly, connections have helped me secure two jobs. Each time I commenced a job search, I’d share the news widely. This included my hairdresser, postman, dentist, and my online community — anyone I could tell.
Leads can surface from the most unexpected places. People chuckle when I mention including my dentist and hairdresser in my network, but their extensive network proves invaluable.
These professionals communicate with numerous clients every day; perhaps, one of their clients may require your skills. In essence, broaden your network.
