3 Effective Job Search Tips

Now that you have done a great job in navigating all the nuances of how to create the most current professional resume format. You are ready to get the ball rolling with your job search. 

Approaching your job search from a multi-tiered perspective is a wise decision. With so many prospective employers using social media, artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, and word of mouth referrals to attract the best talent, you need write a good professional resume and expand your reach to achieve optimal results. Though there are endless ways to execute your job search, below I have shared some insightful tips to help you get started.

Avoid Limiting Yourself to Online Job Boards:

Online job boards are a great addition to your job search, and they typically provide easy-to-use features to get your professional resume shared with many prospective employers, however, you should not limit yourself to only responding to online advertised announcements. Perhaps you identify 2-3 avenues you will pursue to secure your next opportunity and create job search objectives that are SMART i.e. Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Timely.

In essence, to ensure an effective job search strategy, create realistic job search objectives, and craft a plan for how many hours will be devoted where and to what activities to ensure your time is invested in value-added areas. Then review, measure and adjust your strategy as needed.

Regardless of how you execute your job search, whether you are responding to announcements with your IT Director resume, CEO resume, or as a mid-career professional, be sure to add a personal branding strategy and tailor your most effective resume accordingly based on your career focus. 

Arrange an Informational Interview:

Sure, you can research a company online and perhaps get a feel for their culture or by reviewing the LinkedIn profile of their leadership team, however, try taking the job search process a step further by arranging an informational interview which can position you to get a more realistic vibe for a target company. Keeping in mind, the informational interview should be viewed as a way of obtaining insight into the position as opposed to an opportunity to ask for employment.

Knowing that the individual you are meeting with is extending their time, create a short list of 2-3 questions, be considerate, thankful, and limit the meeting to about 15-20 minutes. Your questions can range in scope from the type of talent or leadership skills the company prefers, cultural inquiries, or you can ask about industry trends. Send a thank you letter the same day or within 24 hours of the informational interview as an expression of appreciation and consideration for their time.

 Leverage Your Online Network:

Whether you are a leader faced with an unexpected downsizing or if you are ready for a change and want to test the market, this is where networking and engaging with your professional community throughout the life of your career comes in handy.

For example, with LinkedIn, you can easily stay top of mind with your network of contacts and add value by sharing insightful industry news and updates, or endorsing a colleague, using LinkedIn Kudos, or by writing a recommendation for someone who did a fantastic job on a project you both volunteered on. Though there are many ways to keep in touch with your professional connections, remember to give more than you receive. 

If you need help with writing an executive resume, professional resume, or LinkedIn profile we can help. Contact us at info@resumesbyjoyce.com or toll-free 1-888-607-7793.