Are You Job Searching Effectively?

A common mistake for job hunters is to treat the process like a numbers game, thinking that applying for the most jobs as possible is the way to go. Unfortunately, this approach puts much of the effort to waste because it reduces the quality of the applications and results in getting overlooked by hiring managers. Make the most of your effort – check out these tips for job searching effectively:

Create an Agenda

Consistency yields better results than random large bursts of effort. Develop a weekly job searching agenda and schedule in time for specific tasks and challenging goals. Having a plan and a way to measure the outcome of your effort keeps you accountable for your results and helps you stay motivated.

Research the Role

You can’t make a convincing argument about why you’re the best candidate unless you can present well-researched evidence. Before applying for jobs, look up information about the companies and if possible, hiring managers’ contact information. Include details specific to the company in your cover letter, but you can address your application materials directly to the hiring manager.

Optimize for Search Engines

Trying to stick out by using creative copy in your resume can backfire because applicant tracking software or hiring managers will be initially performing a very brief scan of these materials. Include keywords directly from the job description so it’s immediately clear that you’re qualified and you don’t get filtered out.

Be Savvy with Social Media

Social media can hurt or help you with your job search. To prevent it from hurting your chances, do a social media clean-up and delete anything you think may reflect badly on you if hiring managers searched for you. Get involved on LinkedIn and take part in discussions to help you network and get job leads.

Utilize the Right Job Boards

General online job boards tend not to be as useful as job seekers would hope. There’s so much competition because the majority of job seekers use them, making it difficult to stand out or find the right opportunities. Check out different sources, such as smaller, industry specific job boards or go directly to company websites.  

Turn to Staffing Agencies

Make your job search effective by having someone who is there to support you and has vested interest in you finding the right job. Consider a staffing agency – they are hired by employers to help fill their available positions and can match you to more targeted, higher-quality opportunities than the general job resources.

Make your job search more effective with a staffing firm you can trust to have your best interests in mind. Professional Alternatives is an experienced staffing firm serving Texas employers throughout a variety of industries. We work with candidates to connect them to the available positions that are the best fit. Apply online to get started on your job search with Professional Alternatives.