Job search strategy
What is the best job search strategy? Should you send out thousands of applications, or should you focus on just a few? Indeed, you sometimes need to send out quite a few job applications before you finally get the job you want, but will send the same resume or CV to 10000 email addresses get you the job you want?
What do they want? They are searching for someone who meets the requirements set out in the job description. So do you think they will read a pile of résumés from people who haven’t even read the job description? The reality is that in many situations, your résumé will end up in a database and might be scanned at some stage in the future if the company is looking for workers who can fulfill some basic, general functions.
If you are looking for a specialized job in a career where you can carve out a decent future for yourself, you need to know what you are applying for, what skills you’ll need, and the type of training and promotion you can hope to achieve. And you can only do this by targeting your resume or CV for every job application. It might sound like a lot of work, but if you do it properly, you’ll be hired much more quickly.
Target your search.
Be specific and targeted in your job search. I find that I am often comparing the job search process to dating. It would be best if you courted the company/employer: Do your research. Please get to know who they are. Express an interest in them, specifically. Show them how you’d be a valuable employee for them to have.
Get current.
Update your resume format and leverage technology (e.g., linked in/Facebook/Twitter). Make sure you use keywords! Use a modern (basic sans-serif) font (e.g. Arial). Set up your profile on LinkedIn. Use LinkedIn to connect with coworkers from your present and past and get recommendations. Use Twitter and Facebook to make new connections.
Be confident.
Know who you are and what you offer! Know your strengths, skills, and goals. Know what you bring to the table.
Focus on your accomplishments.
Speak to your experience and accomplishments on your resume, in your cover letter, in your interviews. Describe how your demonstrated work experience would benefit the new company. Show them ways in which you’ve “been there, done that.”
Network.
Continue to develop your current relationships and form new ones. Rather than apply online via a job search site, use your network to find a way to contact the company directly. Don’t forget to help others find work, and ask for help to find work for you.
The truth is that you only need one job, but it needs to be the right job. To find it, you have to decide what you want, find out who is offering it, and then prove that you can do the job better than the other candidates. You won’t achieve this by blasting out résumés to thousands of people. The best job search strategy is to be very focused, build a network of contacts who can help you, and create an outstanding résumé or CV and cover letter for each employer. Do you need some help? Check out https://udiverseglobal.com/job-search-bootcamp/
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About U Diverse’s founder:
Magali Toussaint is the founder of ‘U-Diverse’. She is a certified Talent Acquisition Strategist, an ICF-certified Leadership Consultant, a Career Coach, a Cross-Cultural Trainer, and a Job Search Strategist with an extensive career in Recruitment, HR, Diversity, as well as Education. She has lived and worked in over four countries and speaks French, English, and Dutch fluently. Read More...