A job hunt is a time-consuming process. It usually takes a few weeks, if not months to land a job. If you want to cut the time to hire and explore all your career opportunities, it\u2019s worth following a job search strategy.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a selection of tried and tested methods along with the tools that will help you put your best foot forward.<\/p>\n Ten Effective Job Search Strategies<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Job Search Strategy Tips<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Helpful Tools<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Your job search strategy should be about quality, not quantity <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n While online portfolios are a standard among designers and software developers, they\u2019re great for other professionals, too. For example, if you\u2019re a copywriter, you can add some of your best writing. Or, if you\u2019re a video editor, you can share links to the clips you\u2019ve produced.<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t showcase your work, don\u2019t worry. You can always create an \u201cAbout me\u201d page instead. Write a short description of who you are, what skills and experience you have, and where you want your career to head. Add your CV, or, better yet, a short recording where you encourage potential employers to reach out.<\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> Make sure your portfolio is easily searchable. If you\u2019ve designed a number of interfaces, consider categorizing them via industry, device type, etc.<\/p>\n Preparation is key if you want to get that dream job you\u2019ve applied for. While reading about the company is a good starting point, go beyond it. Take a look at the role description and try to predict the questions that might come up during the interview. Write them all down, along with the answers. This way it will be easier for you to avoid surprises, at least to some extent.<\/p>\n You can also look at what people say on forums like Reddit or Glassdoor. They share their experience with different companies and even mention the interview questions that they got.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>Make sure your list includes:<\/p>\n generic questions, like \u201cWhat is your biggest strength?\u201d Wouldn\u2019t it be great, if instead of looking for a job, the right opportunity \u201cknocked on your door\u201d? This scenario is possible, with enough exposure. Use LinkedIn to share your knowledge and experience. Talk about your successes and failures. If you do it regularly, people will start noticing you. You might even become an industry expert. Eventually, all you\u2019ll have to do is let the LinkedIn community know you\u2019re searching for a new challenge, and opportunities will fly your way.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Image Source <\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>You can try two approaches. Write your own posts and invite others to join the discussion. Comment on other people\u2019s posts. Remember to do it regularly.<\/p>\n This might seem like a basic job search strategy tip, but it\u2019s a crucial one. Before you start applying for jobs, you need to know what you want. Are you interested in a full-time, part-time, or freelance role? Are you happy to be office-based, or is working remotely your preferred option?<\/p>\n It\u2019s also worth figuring out the type of company you\u2019d like to be part of. Are you keener on a corporation, a start-up, or maybe a non-profit? Is there a specific industry you like?<\/p>\n Answering all these questions will help you narrow down your search and make it more effective.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>After you\u2019ve defined what you\u2019re looking for, spread the word among friends and your professional network. Make it easy for others to check if a job they come across fits your expectations. It\u2019s a good idea to send them a bulleted list that summarizes the key information. Include the job position you\u2019re looking for, years of experience, skills, and the industry you want to work in.<\/p>\n This goes beyond the standard \u201cnetwork at conferences and job fairs\u201d advice.<\/p>\n For example, if you work at a large company, mingle with people from other departments. Or, suppose you\u2019re part of a Slack community and see that a content writer is looking for quotes from subject matter experts like you for an upcoming article. Reach out and offer them five minutes of your time. Not only will they remember you. The piece they\u2019re writing might also be read by a future employer.<\/p>\n Yes, this is a long-term job search strategy. You might not get a job offer from these new connections today or even in a year or so. Yet, it\u2019s worth giving a try, as it doesn\u2019t put pressure on anyone.<\/p>\n Another reason to network? A study at over 200 companies<\/span><\/a> found that 27% of all their employees came from referral programs.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>Say \u2018yes\u2019 to opportunities, even if they don\u2019t directly lead to a job offer. The goal is to gain more exposure and be remembered \u2013 both at your current company and outside of it.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t make applying via job boards your only job search strategy. Instead, contact companies directly. Find the hiring manager\u2019s email, and send your CV along with a cover letter, if required. They should be more incentivized to get back to you, as, if you get hired, they\u2019ll be able to skip the recruiter\u2019s hefty fees.<\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> Visit the company\u2019s career website, find the job ad you\u2019re interested in, and check who\u2019s hiring. If the name is not there, check if the same ad is on LinkedIn. Usually, it includes the name of the hiring manager. Use a tool like hunter.io to get their email, and get in touch.<\/p>\n The job hunt is a long process. If you find it overwhelming, then split it into smaller tasks, and assign a deadline for each. Your to-do-list could include:<\/p>\n Creating a CV Whenever you complete a task, give yourself a little reward, like a bar of chocolate or lunch with friends.<\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> Get as granular as you like, especially if large tasks overwhelm you. Smaller ones are faster to complete, and ticking them off your list will boost your motivation.<\/p>\n Recruiters use a variety of terms to describe the same type of job opening. When you start searching online, use the most common titles related to your target role. For example, if you\u2019re applying for a content writer role, start off with a simple \u201cContent Writer\u201d search. Here are some other terms that might bring up relevant results:<\/p>\n Content Specialist<\/p>\n Copywriter<\/p>\n Content Manager<\/p>\n Content Marketer<\/p>\n Content Marketing Specialist<\/p>\n Write down all the possible job title variations to find more opportunities that fit your profile.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>Use quotation marks in search engines. This will draw up exact matches for the role you\u2019re looking for, making it easier to find fitting offers.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Image Source<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Sending an email or a message on LinkedIn can be a good way to bypass the standard application process. To get it right, refer to something company- or role-specific in your message. Do so in the first paragraph, or write it in bold text.<\/p>\n Also, keep your message short. LinkedIn shares that the shorter the InMail<\/span><\/a>, the higher the open rates. Write enough to spark interest and link to your website, portfolio, and\/or calendar.<\/p>\n <\/span>Image Source<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> Check if there\u2019s something you and the hiring manager have in common. For example, if your prospective employer shared a skydiving photo on their Twitter profile and you\u2019re an avid skydiver yourself, refer to it in your message. You will definitely stand out.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re struggling to \u201csell\u201d yourself, think of your job search<\/span><\/a> as a sales campaign. Before you start applying for jobs or spreading the word in your network, ask yourself:<\/p>\n What\u2019s your unique value proposition? Tip<\/strong>: If you need that \u201cextra layer\u201d of distancing, picture yourself as a Hollywood actor. How would your imaginary agent pitch you? Write down anything that comes to mind. This can help you build your job search strategy around your strengths and keep insecurities under control.<\/p>\nTable of Contents<\/h4>\n
Ten Effective Job Search Strategies<\/h2>\n
1. Build an online portfolio or an \u201cAbout me\u201d page.<\/h3>\n
2. Try to predict the interview questions.<\/h3>\n
\n role-specific questions, like \u201cWhat are the three things about our website that need changing?\u201d <\/p>\n3. Share your knowledge on LinkedIn.<\/h3>\n
4. Define your expectations.<\/h3>\n
5. Network whenever possible.<\/h3>\n
6. Contact companies directly.<\/h3>\n
7. Create a timeline and reward yourself.<\/h3>\n
\n Listing companies to work for
\n Writing down job boards to check out
\n Updating your LinkedIn profile, etc. <\/p>\n8. Pay attention to job title variations.<\/h3>\n
9. Personalize your outreach message (and keep it short).<\/h3>\n
10. Think of yourself as your own sales manager.<\/h3>\n
\n Whom are you selling yourself to (i.e., your hiring manager persona)?
\n What goals will hiring you help them achieve? <\/p>\n