No job seeker wants a prolonged job search, especially if they’re unemployed.
Holistically the most efficient way to land a job is to stay focused and determined—persevere! Create a daily job search schedule with daily job search activity goals (e.g., Number of applications and reach outs to companies you’d like to join.). Constantly be networking. Ask your contacts to introduce you to their contacts. Nothing will get you into an organization faster than having an inside person vouching for you.
Set up job alerts—lead generation—on job boards such as Monster, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, companies you’re interested in and LinkedIn, so opportunities land in your inbox. Follow up on every lead. Finally, constantly look to improve, especially when it comes to interviewing. After every interview, evaluate yourself and tweak your answers and questions for the next time.
Besides having these job search habits and tools in place, focus on the following:
1. Search for your tribe.
Those who read my column know my fundamental job search advice: Search for your tribe! Looking for your tribe is the best compass you can use when searching for a job. Don’t look for a job; look for where you belong and will be accepted.
Trying to fit into a company where you don’t belong will frustrate you and extend your job search. Think: “I’m not looking for a job; I’m looking for my tribe!”
2. Be realistic about your worth to employers.
Labour costs are a business’s enemy.
No doubt you’ve heard about the “Great Resignation,” also being called the “Great Reshuffle,” and how companies are having a hard time hiring. I’m going to throw some cold water on this narrative.
Job seekers are now trying to negotiate a high compensation package, benefits, perks, flex hours, WFH, etc. Employers are making concessions (for now) to candidates’ demands because they’re in a bind.
Job seekers aren’t considering what will happen when the job market turns around, which it inevitably will. When the job market turns expensive employees who aren’t providing a healthy ROI for their salary will be the first to be downsized.
Don’t let today’s “employees are in the driver seat” feel-good story make you an expensive hire.
Know your market worth and aim for compensation amount. (There are many online resources such as Glassdoor.com. Payscale.com and Salary.com that offer salary comparisons.) Yes, you can benefit from an employer’s current hiring struggle, but beware, you’ll become a liability if their revenue slumps. Remember, economies are constantly expanding and contracting; therefore, think long-term.
Keeping your compensation package realistic gives you a better chance of getting hired over more qualified candidates who expect, because the media keeps reporting there’s a labour shortage, employers to grovel to hire them. Be humble, be realistic regarding your salary expectation.
3. Present yourself as the solution to the employer’s problems.
Jobs exist to solve an employer’s problems. Whether we’re an accountant (Problem: Keeping track of revenue and expenses.), a sales representative (Problem: Revenue generation.), or an HR manager (Problem: Hiring the right employees, retaining current employees.) presenting yourself as the answer to an employer’s problem is the best way to convince an employer you’re the person for the job.
The next time you come across a job opportunity you want to pursue, ask yourself:
- Why does this job exist?
- What problems is this job supposed to solve?
- How do my skills and experience make me the person to solve the problems this job exists to solve?
Then, whether you’re applying to a job opening or you’re a referral, focus on communicating to the employer reasons you’re the best person to solve the problems the job is supposed to solve.
4. Make your LinkedIn profile SEO-friendly.
These days, a great deal of hiring is done via LinkedIn, where recruiters and hiring managers search for and approach potential candidates to fill their open roles. Therefore, in order for your LinkedIn profile to appear in searches it must be SEO (Search Engine Optimization) friendly. The following 3 SEO tips will increase your odds of appearing in searches:
- Research and include throughout your profile relevant SEO-boosting keywords.
- Complete your profile in full, including a current profile picture.
- Regularly share keyword-rich content, using relevant hashtags.
A clear plan and staying focused are essential if you wish to avoid a lengthy job search. Above all, believe in yourself! Employers are attracted to confidence stemming from candidates knowing their skill set and experience are precisely what the employer needs.
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Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send Nick your questions at artoffindingwork@gmail.com.
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