Top Tips for Finding Jobs Online (and Offline)

Finding a new career can be a challenging and, at times, a harrowing experience, but you can reduce the stress of job hunting by using proactive strategies that can help you to land a new career. These top tips for finding jobs both online and offline can provide useful aid to any job seeker, including more experienced candidates.

When searching for work, it is worth taking the time to tailor your resume to the job that you are applying for as well as doing your research before submitting an application. By doing so, you will not only have a clearer understanding of the type of business you are applying to and the job that you may be asked to perform, but you will have a better understanding of the type of career that you would be best suited for. Additionally, it is worth taking the time to pursue multiple avenues of applying for work. You can learn more about all of these great job seeking tips in the sections that have been provided below.

Be Clear on the Type of Work You are Interested in

Before you begin your job search, it is important to take the time to ask yourself about the type of job that you are looking for and what type of employment would be most satisfying to you. Some employees aspire to greater titles, management positions or promotions while others place higher importance on passion for the work itself, location, the culture that the company provides or the amount of income a job provides. By taking the time to review what is most important to you, you will be able to better determine the type of position that you should seek in your job search.

Get Organized and Track the Jobs That You Apply For

Whenever you begin a job search, it is important to track the jobs that you apply for along the way. This can help you in multiple ways. For starters, you will know the jobs that you have already applied for and the dates on which you applied. This can help to prevent you from applying for the same job twice and aid you in remembering to follow up with a business if you have not yet received a response. If you are offered an interview, you can easily jot down the date and time of your interview, the name of the hiring manager and any additional information that may be relevant to your search. After the interview, you can make notations as needed.

Understand That Your Resume Can and Should be Tailored as Needed

Not only is it important to keep your resume updated, but it is worth taking the time to tailor your resume based upon the job that you are applying for. Sections of your resume such as skills and achievements should include information that is relevant to the type of career you are seeking, if available. By tailoring your resume to the career you will be seeking out, you can show prospective employers that you are an obvious fit for a position.

Take the Time to Research Your Target Companies

Whenever you intend to submit an application for a job, it is important to spend some time researching the prospective company. This can help you to determine the type of work environment that the company may have as well as whether or not you could find satisfaction in working for that particular company. You can also review employee reviews on websites such as Glassdoor.com. Additionally, knowing at least some information about a company may help you tailor your resume to fit the company as well as help you prepare for your potential interview. This is especially important for if the interviewer asks you why you are interested in working for the company.

Consider Enrolling in Job Alert Notifications

If you are utilizing online job search and job posting websites, such as Indeed.com or Glassdoor.com, it is worth reviewing whether the website that you are using has the option of sending you job alert notifications for a specific field or on general employment opportunities within your area. This can help you hone in on specific jobs as they begin to hire, as you will receive a daily email alert that will include new job postings that match your searches. While this tool should not be the only way that you apply for positions, it can be an invaluable way to ensure that you have not missed any opportunities.

Avoid Limiting Yourself to Online Applications

You should never limit yourself to online applications when applying for employment. Often, a company will post an advertisement for a position, but that post might not be updated, and by the time your application is reviewed, the company may already be in the final stages of interviewing potential candidates. Therefore, it is important to contact the companies that really interest you directly, even if that means submitting an application by hand. Review newspaper advertisements for employment and look into any business in particular that you would love to work for in order to determine whether or not that business is hiring. Attend a local job fair and, when possible, research the companies that will be in attendance before the date of the fair.

Initiate Contact and Follow Up with Hiring Managers

It is important to show some initiative when searching for a new career. If you submit an application, but you have not heard back for a couple of days, make a point to contact that company directly and ask to speak to the hiring manager. Asking whether the position is still open and introducing yourself can go a long way towards you standing out amongst your fellow applicants. What if you are offered an interview or receive any type of contact, but then you do not hear anything for a couple of days? You guessed it. Follow up with the hiring manager.