Embarking on a job search can be exciting and daunting at the same time. You’ve already taken the first important step, just by making this decision. Or, perhaps it was made for you, in light of a recent pandemic-related or other layoff or change. Regardless of your situation, what tips should you follow to help ensure success?
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Evaluate your current career goals.
Make this Step One in your job search strategy. Spend some time thinking about what your ideal job would look like, including the size and type of company you want to work for, its culture, and your desired salary and benefits. Once you have this picture clearly in mind, you can move on to updating your resume, online profile and website, and focusing on other tactics to achieve your goal.
Update your LinkedIn profile.
Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is crucial to your job search success. Make sure your summary and work experience are up to date, your photo is recent and professional, and your headline and summary are crisp and polished.
Build a website and/or portfolio.
If you don’t already have a personal website, now is the time to build one. You may also want to consider a professional portfolio as an additional way to showcase your work. A portfolio is especially effective if your desired job is in a field where visual representation would be helpful, such as marketing or graphic design. Be sure to include your website and/or portfolio as a link on your resume and LinkedIn.
Tailor your resume for applicant tracking systems.
As you apply for jobs online, your resume may be scanned for keywords by an applicant tracking system (ATS) before it ever reaches human hands. And without those keywords, it will be automatically rejected. Review the job description carefully and use the same job-related terms on your resume. Be sure to submit your resume in the requested format and keep the design clean and straightforward.
Write a strong cover letter.
Yes, recruiters do pay attention to cover letters. They are an additional opportunity to sell yourself, especially if you’re making a career change or need to explain any gaps on your resume. Your cover letter can be pivotal in differentiating yourself from the competition. Like your resume, it should be specifically tailored to the job.
Stay patient and positive.
Have persistence, keep networking, and don’t be too discouraged if you don’t realize immediate job search success. And remember: you’ll get out of it what you put in. So stay committed to the process. Before long, you’ll be celebrating!
The right job for you is closer than you think. PrideStaff Modesto’s best-in-class approach has matched thousands of professionals with leading employers in Stanislaus County, the Central Valley, and beyond. We can help with any and all the steps toward landing your next great temporary, temp-to-hire, or full-time opportunity. Contact us today to submit your current resume or learn more.
