If you’re reading this, chances are you are looking for a new job. Most people are. According to a survey conducted by Rake, 80 percent of full-time employees are either actively or passively looking for a new job.
However, no matter what profession you are in (or are looking to get into), the process of finding a job can be daunting and, at times, frustrating. Not only can it be draining to apply for multiple jobs (that all have different portals for applications), but it can be incredibly demoralizing when you get no response or receive rejections.
If you are struggling with the job search, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways you can take back control and increase your chances of getting hired. Here are some of the best habits that successful job hunters use when they are on the job hunt.
Identify and save opportunities
There are so many sites online that advertise jobs, and many of them have completely different ways of applying. Because of this, it can often be overwhelming to spend hours crawling these sites and applying to every job you see. However, there are some easy ways to make the process of searching and applying easier.
Firstly, you should aim to set a day-to-day schedule of when you are going to search and apply for jobs. By limiting your search to an hour or two a day, it can help stop the burnt-out feeling you may get if you spend hours looking every day.
Once you have a schedule, you should start searching for jobs on popular job boards. You should also search for jobs directly on the website of companies that you would be interested in working for. However, you shouldn’t apply for roles as soon as you see them. Instead, you should consider saving them all in one place (such as a spreadsheet). Write down the job application, where you have to apply, the deadline, and a list of things you need to do before you can send off your application. Doing this will help you keep track of application deadlines and will give you time to edit each application before you send them out.
Do your research
Once you have found a job you want to apply for, you must research the company before you apply. Each company you apply for will have different goals, ethos, and desirable attributes that they will be looking for in a successful applicant
This habit will allow you to tailor your CV for every application and will prove to employers that you are seriously interested in the role and the company as a whole. Research like this will ensure that your application stands out from the crowd.
Use a CV template
Although you should personalize your CV for every job application, you need to make sure that the basic structure of your resumé is concise, well-worded, and professional. However, if you have created a CV before, you know that this is a tiresome job. Fortunately, you can use a CV builder which will help you create a CV that will make your application stand out from the crowd. Usually, these builders have multiple professional-looking templates that can be altered to suit any kind of profession. Moreover, these templates are structured so that they are easily readable and will draw the attention of the recruiter.
Don’t forget the cover letter
A cover letter may seem old fashioned, but it is still a necessary part of any application. Although they are no longer a requirement for many job applications, they are something you should get in the habit of sending out with every application (unless you are specifically told not to).
A cover letter provides recruiters with further detail on how your skill set aligns with the role, what you can bring to the team and why you believe you are the perfect fit for the job. This is often where first impressions are made, so make sure you take the time to personalize each cover letter to each company you apply to. If you want to stand out from the crowd, make sure you use a cover letter template to make your cover letter vibrant and eye-catching.
Prepare thoroughly for interviews
If you follow the above steps, you will most likely be offered some interviews once you have applied for several roles. However, it is important that you don’t start celebrating too soon. Although your application has caught the attention of recruiters, you still need to do everything you can to prepare for the next stage of the application process- the interview.
Spend some time before your interviewing preparing answers to the most common interview questions, like:
- Can you tell me about yourself?
- What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
- Why do you want this position?
- Why are you leaving your job?
- Why should the company hire you?
At this point, you should also spend more time researching the company’s core values, as this will further prove to your potential employer that you are the right fit for the role.
Give yourself a break
Job hunting is hard, and it is also incredibly draining. Although you want to do everything you can to get the job, you also need to make sure that you don’t overwork yourself or burn yourself out. Make sure you schedule a set number of hours to job hunt and apply for roles, and then give yourself a significant break. Turn off any reminders, and stop yourself from checking your emails.
These breaks are hugely important. If you spend all of your time applying for roles and refuse to take a break, you could potentially end up making mistakes that could prevent you from getting your dream role.