As we all know, a job search can take longer than expected. Sometimes it could take as little as a few weeks or as long as a year. At some point, you may feel exhausted from the same routine and irritated with your results. You might even consider giving up on your dream position or undervalue yourself as an employee. Sometimes you need to step back and look deeper into what may be preventing you from landing your dream job. It’s time to hit the refresh button. Here are some tips on how to revamp your job search.
Reevaluate Yourself
Your goals, dreams, and aspirations can become unclear during a lengthy job search. It’s always good to keep asking yourself: What do I want? Where do I want to work? Understanding your desires and what you want to achieve in your job search will provide a clear path to getting what you want. Use your new-found knowledge of self and put that into a marketable portfolio such as your resume or LinkedIn profile. Express your desires, highlight your accomplishments, showcase your strengths. If you continue to undersell yourself, you’ll never get the job you deserve. For tips on how to improve your LinkedIn profile watch “Make the Most of Your LinkedIn Profile” by De-de Mulligan.
Stand Out
Odds are your not the only person searching for work. More so, your not the only applicant companies are reviewing for the open position. Some think a snazzy tie or horrible joke would separate them for the rest and make them more memorable to the interviewer. Well, in some cases that can be true but it doesn’t necessarily seal the deal. When applying for online jobs, your resume may not always be seen by an actual person. More than half the time it gets rejected through an applicant tracking system. Mailing or hand-delivering a resume will ensure that it will get read by someone and increases your odds for an interview. Another method of standing out is cold calling. Yes, I know cold calling can feel awkward and make some uncomfortable, but what’s the worse that can happen? Cold calling can get your foot in the door, and if it doesn’t work out, then you have practice with your elevator pitch.
Recharge Your Batteries
Like I said before in previous blogs, utilize your free time to do things that make you happy. Spending time with friends and family will improve your overall mental health and attitude. Take time to network with other professionals, meet with mentors, and keep your skills sharp. Volunteering with organizations that need people with your skills and experience can look great on a resume shows that you stayed productive in your career gap.
Utilize Social Media
Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are frequently used by professionals today. You can start by commenting/liking posts by your target company, giving your opinion on the current state of the industry or sharing/retweeting their content. You could also post content that they may find interesting or useful. It can open up a line of communication between you and the company. Eventually, you will be on their radar, and they may come looking for you!
Please come to our Next Hudson Job Search Meeting!
Hudson Job Search will present Exposing the Hidden Job Market by Abby Kohut on August 5th @ 7:15-9:00 pm at Christ Church Episcopal, 21 Aurora St. Hudson, OH. Abby’s topic will discuss the most effective ways to get employed and what recruiters know and won’t tell candidates.
All our events are free of charge and open to anyone who lives and works in the greater NEO area, whether you currently have a job or not. No need to register in advance, but seating is limited to approximately 40 individuals. Please dress business casual.
Michael McClafferty is an intern at Mulligan Management Group.