How to Simplify Your Search in 3 Easy Steps Prep, Search, Close

How to Simplify Your Search in 3 Easy Steps Prep, Search, Close How to Simplify Your Search in 3 Easy Steps Prep, Search, CloseSearching for a job is stressful. Scratch that, overwhelming is more like it.If youre currently employed and on the hunt, or between jobs and on the hunt, its like having another job that youre not getting paid for. Hopefully, the big payoff for all your hard work is the job of your dreams, and hopefully, that payoff comes sooner rather than later. But, as we know all too well, there are no guarantees on timing. The key is to make the process as manageable as possible. Thats why weve broken down the job search into three stages. Three Thats easy enough, right? Lets dive in.PrepFrom prepping food to cook a meal to itinerary planning when scheduling a vacation, youd be hard pressed to find a situation where preparation doesnt pay off and the job search is no exception. This stage of the search takes effort, dont get us wrong, but put that effort in, and itll pay off in the long run.Job goalsSo, where do we start? It all begins with job goals. What are yours? Be clear on what youre looking for and then write it down. This is essential information If you can visualize what you want, youll have an easier time targeting employers, prioritizing networking activities the list of benefits goes on. Youll also have an easier time identifying job opportunities that both meet your needs and that youre qualified to perform. No one wants to land a job only to realize a month later that its the wrong environment for them. Save yourself the time and aggravation by getting clear on your goals from the get-go.Resume and cover letterSo, weve established that a platzdeckchen of well-defined job goals equals a more efficient job search. Lets add to the equation. The better your resume and cover letter are tailored to support those goals, the more successful your job search will be. Does your resume include your most relevant work and qualifications? Has i t been formatted with both the hiring bots and the hiring managers in mind? Todays job market calls for a resume that is a combination of both art and science. If you know your resume is lacking, theres a good chance your job search will be lacking as well. A resume you can feel confident in can make a huge difference in your job-search success. Add in a cover letter you feel good about and youre golden. But wait, do you really need a cover letter? The answer is simply yes, better safe than sorry.ReferencesThis next parte of the prep is simple(ish), but important references. Do you have a list of people in mind? Have you stayed in touch with them? Are you sure they would provide a positive review? Brainstorm your list of vermgen references and reach out to each person to make sure theyre OK with being a reference, if and when the need arises. These are all things to consider when putting together a list of references. Have it handy you never know when you may need itOnline brandThe next and final step in your job-search prep your ansprechbar personal brand. In this day and age, a prospective employer is going to Google your name. How often do you Google yourself? Go on, give it a go And after that, make a list of every social network youre a part of and check them, too. Is there anything you wouldnt want your grandma or employer to see? Best to make those profiles private. You wouldnt want something found online to disqualify you from a job you want. That would just be unfortunate. Check to make sure your online personal brand is highlighting not hurting your value by downloading our free checklist today.SearchLook at you Already onto the next phase. See? Hunting for a job doesnt have to be overwhelming. Lets talk search. Amassing job leads is the name of the game when youre in active job-search mode, but solely applying for jobs online isnt going to cut it if you want to be successful. Instead, our career expert, Amanda Augustine, suggests what she calls h arnessing the power of three. Come again? Essentially, the most successful job seekers are those who use multiple methods (the three below) to search for opportunities. Combine their powers, and youll maximize the number of leads you can pursue, which may very well maximize your success. Learn moreApplications and follow-upSearching online, applying online, application after application it can get exhausting, and its hard to know if the jobs youre applying to are even worth the effort. And then you find a job listing that seems, for lack of a better word, perfect. You apply. Youre excited. And then you wait. And wait. And wait some more. Did your application get lost? Did they already fill the position? Can you reach out to follow up? The answers maybe, maybe, and yes. So, how exactly do you follow up? The short answer Wait approximately 710 days, and if youre still hearing crickets, turn to the job posting and LinkedIn. Does the job posting have any contact information? If yes, yo ure golden. If no, check out the companys LinkedIn page and search for someone in HR or recruiting. The long answer Learn more here.Utilizing recruitersHave you worked with recruiters in the past? Or if you havent, are you interested in going that route this time around? While its not for everyone, dont forget the power of three and explore every avenue Working with an external recruiter can be a great resource for finding new job leads and gaining company insight. First step Go back to your online presence and make sure it is as strong as possible so recruiters can find youNetworkingYou knew wed get to this point, and we know you didnt want us to unless youre a social butterfly. Networking is the part of search that could very well (and most likely will) be the way you find your next position. Networking means nurturing existing relationships and leveraging your personal and professional connections. Your next job could come from your roommates sisters co-worker you never know Did you know youre 10 times more likely to land a job with an employee referral? Tap into that network Reconnect, reach out on LinkedIn, and tell everyone you know youre on the hunt (except your current employer). If youre feeling like your network is lacking, check out online groups, meetup groups, conferences theyre all great ways to expand your network.CloseWe made it You have prepped, you have searched get this next section just right, and you are going to close C-L-O-S-E, closeInterviews and follow-upYour hard work has gotten you here, and youre ready for your bewerbereinstellungsgesprch Heres a quick checklist of interview to-dos and objectivesDress for success. Look at the companys website and social media presence to get a sense of how employees dress, and then kick it up a few notchesHave your elevator pitch prepped and ready to go. Just dont over-rehearse, and definitely dont just regurgitate your resume. Keep it short and sweet, and give the interviewer a glimpse of why yo ure the right candidate while highlighting your achievements and personality. Youve got this.Practice answering the questions that make you nervous. You know the ones. The mere thought of them makes your skin crawl. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but youll definitely get asked them. Prepare, prepare some more, and then practice in front of the mirror. Here are five tricky questions you might also want to nail down answers to. If youre still feeling like your delivery could use some ironing out, enlist the help of professional interview coaches at TopInterview.Prepare a list of questions to ask your interviewers. On the topic of questions to ask, when they ask you, Do you have any questions for me? youll want to be prepared to give an enthusiastic Yes Have a few of these jotted down in a notebook ahead of time, and youll look extra prepared, engaged, and genuinely interested in the role. Asking questions also will help you decide if the job and company are right for you. Dont miss this opportunityThink youre done once you exit the interview room? Think again. Next step follow up. And do so within 24 hours It doesnt need to be a flashy note just be sure to thank each interviewer for their time, personalize the message, reiterate your sincere interest, and end it with a question. Something along the lines of, What do the next steps in this process look like? will sufficeNegotiationOne important last step in the process is negotiation. Like any skill, you can learn to be a better negotiator over time it just takes a little research and a lot of practice. Start with a little online research to make sure the salary youre asking for is backed up by data. Next, be clear on your nadir requirements and have a strategy for dealing with counteroffers. Remember, negotiation shouldnt be a win-lose situation your goal is to settle on a number that all parties are happy with. In addition, a compensation package isnt just about pay. You can negotiate any number of ite ms, from your job title to your number of vacation days, and much moreOnboardingYOU GOT THE JOB We knew you could do it Now, lets prepare for success with onboarding your first few days, weeks, and months at your new job. This is a crucial time, as it can set the tone for how your boss and co-workers see you. Put your best foot forward on day one byWearing an outfit that is company-appropriate.Showing up early, if not on time. Map out your commute in advance to be on the safe side.Being friendly to EVERYONE.Remembering some names. We know this one will be hard, especially on your first day.Accepting any lunch invitations.Want to learn more about how you can be successful off the bat at your new gig? Click here.The job search isnt all that scary especially once its broken down. But its OK if you still need a little help. Thats where our expert resume writers come inRecommended ReadingAsk Amanda Should I Reapply for a Job That Got Reposted?How to Balance Your Job Search With Your Cur rent JobHow to Find a Job Fast in 8 Painless StepsRelated Articles