“If opportunity doesn’t knock, then build a door ” – Milton Berle
It can be intimidating to begin job hunting, whether you just graduated with a degree or are seeking a career change. COVID uncertainty and a more significant economic impact add to the stress. In today’s situation, you can’t just be an employee looking to get hired—you have to market yourself as a company that can help another company achieve its goals.
Outshine the competition
When the competition is high, you need to stand out from the crowd who are praying for the same position that you have set your sights on. As such, your application needs to be incomparable. One way to do this is to have a different approach in writing your résumé.
Do not inflate your background; instead, highlight the accomplishments and focus on vital soft-skills like communication, adaptability, curiosity, and openness to learning.
“Soft skills are extremely favorable across all areas of work. Across industries, hiring managers are always looking for candidates with excellent communication skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work to deadlines,” Van Nelson Managing Director at Adecco Australia asserts.
Finding hidden job opportunities
You want corporate and search-firm recruiters in your network. They are the power users of the system and typically have massive networks. Connecting with these people increases your chance of sharing relationships with other recruiters — thus boosting your relevance in keyword searches.
Don’t wait for recruiters to come to you. Reach out and invite them into your network. The most advantageous way to do this is to first create a list of companies where you’d love to work. Then, follow these companies on LinkedIn.
Network, network, network!
Networking requires preparation. There’s more to it than just hoping you get lucky enough to bump into someone who can refer you to an open position. To find professional success through networking, you must impress people and make it easy for them to remember and help you. Take the time to build meaningful relationships with those in your professional circle so that you can tap into those valuable connections for referrals, insights into job leads and other helpful information when searching for work.
Change your focus
If jobs are hard to come by, you may need more time to find one suited to your skills. You can branch out and use your outside experience to do slightly different tasks. As you begin your search, check out the newest trends.
Depending on the situation, different skill sets are required.
Take time to recharge
As you shift between your blocks of work, use a physical event to do so. A short walk around the block, the act of changing locations or even something as simple as getting a glass of water can make you more productive.
Be disciplined, stick to your plan, and yes – enjoy the journey, otherwise what’s the point? Don’t beat yourself up if there’s a roadblock or delay. Take a moment each day to appreciate just how far you’ve come. Practice gratitude for all the gifts you already have.
