effective job hunting tips image

Effective Job Hunting Tips in 2016

Whether you’re a fresh graduate searching for your first job ever or a professional who’s been working for quite a while and looking for something different, you will take on the challenging task of job hunting. It’s not going to be easy. In fact, it will be competitive, stressful, and sometimes even costly. But if you know what recruiters are looking for, you stand a better chance compared to other job applicants. The sooner you learn what you should do, the better your chances are at landing that job.

Create Unique Resume imageCraft a Unique Resume

A traditional resume gets the job done, but you can state your qualifications and achievements in more interesting and eye-catching ways. You can make use of infographics, images, tables, and charts to illustrate important facts.

If you work in creatives, you can build a personal website or an online portfolio that will show your career history and highlight other credentials. Having your own website also allows you to show your style of work and projects that you have completed in the past. You can create your own website using WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr, or Wix for free. However, if you want a customized domain name and a personalized website design, you can get a paid upgrade. Price starts at $20 (around ₱1,120) and you can pay for it with your cashback credit card or debit card annually.

Use Apt Email Address imageHave a Job Search Email Address

Do you think recruiters will take you seriously if you have an email address like baldnsexy@gmail.com, ilovecowsawholelot@yahoo.com, or hotmale@hotmail.com? You have one chance to make an impression and get that job interview, so don’t let a ridiculous-sounding email prevent that from happening. Use your real name on your email address for work or business purposes. You can also create and assign a specific email account for all job-related emails for better organization and easier tracking.  

Highlight Job Experience imageReinforce Your Experience

Employers want to know what makes you unique and the best person for the job. Make sure that you are able to highlight your skills on your resume and demonstrate how experienced you are professionally when you answer job interview questions. Convince your future employer that you can perform the job, and so much more. Cite concrete examples that will strengthen your professional experience.

Keep Track of Applications imageKeep a Job Search Tracker

There’s no way you can track all the job positions you have applied to, especially if they’re quite a lot. When you do finally get the call for an interview, having a job search tracker of sorts will help you remember the job position and what kind of candidate this company is looking for. It can also help you prepare in advance for possible interview questions and determine which of your transferrable skills are suited for the job.

You can keep a notebook and list down all the positions that you applied to for easy reference. Add the qualifications and requirements as well.  You can arrange it alphabetically, by date, by industry, or by company.

If you don’t want to write everything down, you can just record everything in a spreadsheet and put tabs and labels accordingly. You can easily copy and paste everything, and make annotations in a more organized manner.

Social Media Presence imageBoost Your Social Media Presence

Social media has become a popular and effective way in searching for a job and in finding the right candidates. However, make sure that all of your social media accounts are professional and work-friendly. If you can untag yourself from pictures taken at your friend’s wild bachelorette party, or at that crazy pub crawl in Boracay, do it immediately. Recruiters check applicants’ social media to get a glimpse of their characters and personalities, so make sure that they’ll like what they’ll see.

When you’re looking for a job, make sure that you update and build up your profile on your LinkedIn account. You can choose to get a premium account to unlock more features, such as a larger profile photo and an expanded profile header. You also get to be a Featured Applicant and appear on top of the list of applicants for a particular job opening. You can view a list of people who checked out your profile in the last 3 months, and you can contact them about job openings or make follow-ups on applications. A premium account costs $29.99 (around ₱1,400) a month, and you can pay with your Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit card.  

use-referralsBelieve in The Power of a Referral

Employers want to hire the best candidate who will work hard and be a great asset to their organization. Nothing makes you look more credible and trustworthy than a glowing recommendation from a previous manager or supervisor, or a referral from a higher up in the company that you wish to join. It’s not a guarantee that you will land the job, but it will be an interesting starting point during your job interview.

Use Your Network imageNever Stop Networking

Even if you already have an impeccable resume and excellent professional references, you still need to have that human connection to make you stand out from the rest. This is the time to meet new people and form new connections.

If you’re just starting out, the best way to do this is to be a member of professional organizations or to participate in industry conferences. You can also attend workshops and seminars that will put you in one room with people who work in the same industry. Follow influencers on social media. Connect with friends and colleagues who can help you get your foot in the door.  

Take Calculated Risks imageTake Calculated Risks

Leave your comfort zone. Be the person who’s willing to do what others are not. If a job in sales is a role you think will build up your confidence and teach you the skills needed to succeed in the workplace, go for it! If you want to leave your office job to pursue your passion in writing, teaching, or designing, just do it. You’ll never know if you never try.

So you’ve finally decided to take the next step in your career and accept that job offer. As tempting as it appears, it’s still best not to burn bridges and learn how to quit your job gracefully.

This article was written by Rouselle Isla.

Rouselle loves the hustle of writing, reading, and creating content. She currently works with different clients on their web content and social media presence.

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