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Four Strategies to Help You Find Your Next Job
They call it a job “hunt” for a reason! Jobs, like prey in the wild, can be elusive and hard to catch. You have to put in the legwork, be patient, and strike when the moment is right. In a competitive market you have to be strategic in your search. The Rio Counseling Team recommends these four strategies to help put you in the right mindset to get out there and find your next job.
1. Go Straight to the Source
Job-hunting sites like Glassdoor and Indeed are an excellent resource to put your resume out there and help link you up with recruiters. But sometimes it’s best to cut out the middleman; if you know which company you want to work for, going to the source and applying directly will save you time and legwork. Look for companies in your field and check out their career page. Not only will this save you the trouble of trying to find a specific company’s listing on a third-party site (which may not even exist), it will give you a chance to investigate the company’s website and learn more.
2. Always Be Networking
“It’s who you know” is an expression that exists for a reason: familiarity and personal connections matter in the working world. If a manager can put a face to your name, that’s half the battle. If possible, apply in-person to the company you want to work at. Try and get some face time with the hiring manager, even if it’s just to say hello and drop off your resume.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that networking has to only happen at formal events where professionals gather to glad hand and pass out business cards. Your peers, friends, and family members are part of that network. Let the people around you know what your ambitions are; making your professional intentions known can help you find somebody who knows somebody in the field who can help you get your foot in the door. Having people who can personally vouch for you is a great way to set yourself apart from the other resumes in the hiring team’s inbox.
3. First Impressions Matter Online & IRL
An important thing to keep in mind with networking: you never know when a stranger might turn out to be somebody who could help you or hinder you in your job hunt. This is why you should always strive to make a good impression. It’s also why you should take great care to manage your social media. A lot of companies will do searches online to see what your social media looks like. If you’re actively hunting for a job, a good rule of thumb is to make all your social accounts private. If you are trying to find a job in which your social media savvy is an integral part of the position, locking your accounts may actually hurt your chances — in that case, you’ll want to audit your socials and delete anything that might be a red flag to employers.
4. Play the Numbers Game
It’s very rare that your first or second job application will net positive results. Sometimes you may end up putting 50 to 100+ applications out there before you get a bite. In job hunting it is essential that you not put all your eggs in one basket. It’s good to have dream jobs, but be prepared to accept a position at a “safety” company if your dream doesn’t come true. It’s also good to mentally prepare yourself to accept that the interview and vetting process can be unpredictable. Some companies may hire you after one round of talks; another’s HR process may be so complex it could be MONTHS before you get an offer. Patience and a willingness to be flexible are key virtues to cultivate in order to succeed when you’re hunting for your next job.
Looking for more job search tips? Reach out to our counseling team at https://www.riosalado.edu/student-resources/counseling.